New Jersey English Language Arts — Grade 4
Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Course Overview
Our New Jersey Grade 4 English Language Arts (ELA) course is designed around the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts (NJSLS-ELA). Grade 4 develops students’ ability to read increasingly complex literary and informational texts, analyze ideas and evidence, write organized compositions, expand vocabulary, apply grammar and language conventions, conduct research, and communicate effectively.
Students progress toward greater independence in reading comprehension, literary analysis, informative writing, opinion writing, narrative writing, research, speaking, listening, and academic vocabulary.
Reading Foundations & Word Analysis
Advanced Phonics
Students apply grade-level phonics and word-analysis skills to accurately decode unfamiliar words.
Multisyllabic Words
Students use syllable patterns, roots, prefixes, and suffixes to read and understand longer words.
Greek & Latin Roots
Students explore common Greek and Latin roots and use them to determine the meaning of unfamiliar academic words.
Prefixes & Suffixes
Students analyze common prefixes and suffixes to understand how word meanings and grammatical forms change.
Reference Tools
Students use dictionaries, glossaries, digital resources, and other reference materials to determine word meanings and pronunciations.
Reading Fluency
Accurate & Fluent Reading
Students read grade-level texts accurately and fluently while maintaining appropriate pace and expression.
Reading With Expression
Students use appropriate phrasing, rhythm, intonation, and expression when reading aloud.
Independent Reading
Students develop reading stamina and independently engage with increasingly complex literary and informational texts.
Reading for Different Purposes
Students adjust their reading strategies depending on whether they are reading for information, analysis, enjoyment, or research.
Literary Reading
Theme & Central Message
Students identify themes and central messages and explain how details and events support them.
Character Analysis
Students describe characters’ traits, motivations, feelings, actions, and relationships and explain how they influence the story.
Setting & Plot
Students analyze how setting and events contribute to the development of a story.
Sequence & Cause and Effect
Students explain the order of events and analyze relationships between causes, actions, and consequences.
Point of View
Students identify different points of view and explain how the narrator’s perspective influences a story.
Informational Reading
Main Idea & Supporting Details
Students identify the main idea of an informational text and explain how supporting details develop it.
Text Structure
Students analyze structures such as chronology, cause and effect, comparison, and problem and solution.
Evidence from Text
Students refer to specific details and examples from a text when explaining ideas and drawing conclusions.
Text Features
Students use headings, captions, diagrams, charts, timelines, glossaries, indexes, and other text features to understand information.
Author’s Purpose
Students determine why an author wrote a text and examine how the author’s purpose influences the information presented.
Vocabulary & Academic Language
Context Clues
Students determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and phrases by analyzing surrounding sentences and paragraphs.
Word Roots
Students use Greek and Latin roots and familiar word parts to determine the meanings of new words.
Multiple-Meaning Words
Students determine the appropriate meaning of a word based on its context.
Figurative Language
Students interpret common similes, metaphors, idioms, personification, and other nonliteral expressions.
Academic Vocabulary
Students develop vocabulary commonly used in academic subjects and formal communication.
Grammar & Language
Parts of Speech
Students identify and correctly use nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and other common parts of speech.
Complete Sentences
Students construct complete sentences and identify sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Students ensure that subjects and verbs agree correctly in number and use appropriate verb forms.
Verb Tenses
Students use consistent past, present, and future verb tenses when speaking and writing.
Pronouns
Students use pronouns correctly and ensure that pronoun references are clear.
Writing Conventions
Capitalization
Students correctly capitalize proper nouns, titles, names, geographic locations, and other appropriate words.
Punctuation
Students correctly use commas, quotation marks, apostrophes, periods, question marks, and exclamation points.
Spelling
Students apply grade-level spelling patterns, word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and reference tools to spell words correctly.
Paragraph Structure
Students write paragraphs with clear topic sentences, supporting details, transitions, and concluding statements.
Opinion Writing
Introducing an Opinion
Students clearly state their opinion about a topic and establish a focused position.
Supporting Evidence
Students support opinions with reasons, facts, details, examples, and information from reliable sources.
Linking Ideas
Students use linking words and phrases to connect opinions, reasons, evidence, and conclusions.
Addressing Different Views
Students begin to recognize and appropriately respond to different perspectives on a topic.
Writing Conclusions
Students write conclusions that reinforce their opinions and summarize the main reasoning.
Informative & Explanatory Writing
Introducing a Topic
Students introduce topics clearly and provide information that helps readers understand the subject.
Developing Ideas
Students develop topics using facts, definitions, examples, quotations, details, and other relevant information.
Organizing Information
Students organize information logically and use headings, paragraphs, sections, and transitions when appropriate.
Precise Language
Students use specific vocabulary and domain-specific words to communicate information accurately.
Conclusions
Students write conclusions that summarize or reinforce important information presented in the text.
Narrative & Creative Writing
Narrative Structure
Students write narratives with clear beginnings, organized events, meaningful details, and appropriate conclusions.
Character Development
Students develop characters through actions, dialogue, descriptions, thoughts, and motivations.
Setting & Description
Students establish settings and use sensory details and descriptive language to create vivid scenes.
Dialogue
Students use dialogue to develop characters, events, and relationships.
Event Sequence
Students organize events logically and use transitional phrases to show relationships between events.
Writing Process & Research
Planning & Prewriting
Students identify the purpose, audience, topic, and organizational structure before beginning a writing assignment.
Drafting
Students develop ideas into organized paragraphs and multi-paragraph compositions.
Revising
Students improve writing by adding details, strengthening organization, changing word choices, and improving clarity.
Editing
Students check grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure.
Publishing
Students prepare polished writing for presentation, sharing, or publication.
Speaking, Listening & Presentation
Collaborative Discussions
Students participate in discussions, listen carefully to others, and contribute relevant information and ideas.
Asking & Answering Questions
Students ask and answer questions, clarify information, and respond thoughtfully during conversations.
Oral Presentations
Students present information, stories, research findings, or opinions clearly to an audience.
Presentation Skills
Students use appropriate volume, pacing, pronunciation, eye contact, and organization during presentations.
Digital Presentations
Students use age-appropriate digital tools to organize and present information.
Teaching Methodology
Our Grade 4 English classes focus on reading comprehension, literary analysis, vocabulary, grammar, writing, research, communication, and critical thinking. Students learn through:
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Grade 4, students will be able to:
Assessment & Progress Tracking
Student progress is evaluated through: