Our Curriculum › Writing & Grammar › 4th Grade
Writing 4
A full year of 4th-grade writing: organized opinion pieces, informative reports and stories, two research reports, a long run of shorter pieces in many forms, and the grammar that goes with them. Ends with a portfolio of the year's best work.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
9 units
Each opens to its lessons
2 research reports
Plus a year-end portfolio
Standards
Common Core Grade 4 writing & language
What's taught, unit by unit
Getting started & the first research reportDays 1–20
Organized opinion writing, informative structure and narrative pacing, then a full research report: choosing a topic, taking notes in their own words, organizing them, and writing an introduction, body and conclusion. Grammar: relative pronouns, progressive tenses, run-ons and fragments, modals, prepositional phrases, punctuating titles.
- 1 · Welcome to Writing 4!
- 2 · Organized Opinion Writing
- 3 · Relative Pronouns
- 4 · Informative Writing: Structuring Your Piece
- 6 · Narrative Writing: Adding Pacing
- 7 · Progressive Verb Tenses
- 8 · Fixing Run-On Sentences and Fragments
- 9 · Choosing a Research Topic
- 11 · Taking Notes in Your Own Words
- 12 · Organizing Research Notes
- 13 · Modal Auxiliaries
- 14 · Writing the Research Report Introduction
- 16 · Writing the Research Report Body
- 17 · Prepositional Phrases
- 18 · Writing the Research Report Conclusion
- 19 · Adding Titles and Quotation Marks
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Narrative craft and revisingDays 21–30
Showing instead of telling with vivid description, dialogue that reveals character, adjective order, and a full short story draft. Then complete sentences, a two-subject comparison piece, peer editing and revising from feedback.
- 21 · Narrative Writing: Vivid Description
- 22 · Narrative Writing: Dialogue That Reveals Character
- 23 · Adjective Order
- 24 · Writing a Narrative: Full Story Draft
- 26 · Editing: Complete Sentences vs. Fragments
- 27 · Writing an Informative Piece: Comparing Two Things
- 28 · Peer Editing Practice
- 29 · Revising Based on Feedback
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Opinion, how-to and short formsDays 31–50
Book review, opinion letter, how-to guide with transitions, diary entry, character description, fable, school-topic opinion, news report, poster and acrostic poem. Grammar: verb tense consistency, combining sentences, adverbs, compound sentences.
- 31 · Writing a Book Review
- 32 · Writing an Opinion Letter
- 33 · Verb Tense Consistency
- 34 · Writing a How-To Guide with Transitions
- 36 · Writing a Diary Entry
- 37 · Writing a Character Description
- 38 · Combining Sentences for Flow
- 39 · Writing a Short Fable
- 41 · Writing an Opinion Piece: School Topics
- 42 · Writing an Informative Piece with Multimedia Ideas
- 43 · Descriptive Adverbs
- 44 · Writing a Narrative with a Clear Problem and Solution
- 46 · Writing an Opinion Poster
- 47 · Combining Simple Sentences into Compound Sentences
- 48 · Writing a News Report
- 49 · Writing an Acrostic Poem
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Second research reportDays 51–55
A second, faster research report with a new topic, using the same steps with less help: choosing a topic, notes and organization, writing the full report in one session. Also a short riddle story.
- 51 · Second Research Project: Choosing a Topic
- 52 · Second Research Project: Notes and Organization
- 53 · Second Research Project: Write the Full Report
- 54 · Writing a Riddle Story
Plus 1 review day, not listed.
Many forms of writing, part 1Days 56–100
Mostly one new form every day or two: invitation, product review, historical letter and postcard, invention, game instructions, adventure story, museum label, comparison essay, play scene, opinion speech, interview. Editing drills and a halfway portfolio.
- 56 · Writing an Invitation
- 57 · Writing a Product Review
- 58 · Editing Practice: Full Passage Edit
- 59 · Writing a Letter to a Historical Figure
- 61 · Writing a Postcard
- 62 · Writing About an Invention
- 63 · Writing Instructions for a Game
- 64 · Writing a Short Adventure Story
- 66 · Editing Practice: Subject-Verb Agreement
- 67 · Writing a Museum Exhibit Description
- 68 · Writing a Weather Report
- 69 · Writing Dialogue Between Two Characters
- 71 · Writing a Comparison Essay: Two Animals
- 72 · Writing a How-To Guide
- 73 · Writing About an Animal's Perspective
- 74 · Writing a Sequel to a Familiar Story
- 76 · Writing a Postcard from History
- 77 · Writing an Opinion Speech
- 78 · Editing Practice: Combining Sentences
- 79 · Writing a Short Play Scene
- 81 · Writing About Overcoming a Challenge
- 82 · Writing a Restaurant Menu
- 83 · Writing an Interview
- 84 · Writing a Wanted Poster for a Story Character
- 86 · Writing a Story with a Twist Ending
- 87 · Writing About a Dream Vacation
- 88 · Editing Practice: Choosing Strong Verbs
- 89 · Halfway Writing Portfolio
- 91 · Writing a Comic Strip Story
- 92 · Writing a Weather Journal Entry
- 93 · Writing a Family Tradition Piece
- 94 · Writing an Opinion Paragraph
- 96 · Writing a Quick Note (Text-Message Style)
- 97 · Writing a Thank-You Speech
- 98 · Editing Practice: Removing Redundant Words
- 99 · Multi-Step Writing: Building an Opinion
Plus 9 review days, not listed.
Many forms of writing, part 2Days 101–130
More short pieces: hero paragraph, book recommendation, complaint letter, riddle poem, sports recap, letter to future self, advertisement, report on an animal, historical diary, newsletter article and PSA. Editing drills on run-ons, capitalization and redundant words.
- 101 · Writing About a Hero
- 102 · Writing a Book Recommendation
- 103 · Writing a Complaint Letter
- 104 · Writing a Riddle Poem
- 106 · Writing a How-I-Felt Narrative
- 107 · Writing a Sports Recap
- 108 · Writing a Character's Inner Thoughts
- 109 · Editing Practice: Fixing Run-On Sentences
- 111 · Writing a Letter to Your Future Self
- 112 · Writing an Advertisement
- 113 · Writing a Story from a New Setting
- 114 · Writing a Report on an Animal
- 116 · Writing a Diary Entry as a Historical Figure
- 117 · Writing a Silly Story
- 118 · Writing a Comparison: Then vs. Now
- 119 · Editing Practice: Correct Capitalization
- 121 · Writing About Someone Else Overcoming a Challenge
- 122 · Writing a Themed Specialty Menu
- 123 · Writing Interview Questions for a Famous Person
- 124 · Writing a Missing Pet Poster
- 126 · Writing a Class Newsletter Article
- 127 · Writing a Story with a Strong Setting
- 128 · Writing a Public Service Announcement
- 129 · Writing About a Family Recipe
Plus 6 review days, not listed.
Looking back and final piecesDays 131–150
A self-assessment, revising a favorite piece, a yearbook entry, a final story, goals for next year, a graduation speech and advice letter, a final opinion piece and narrative, and a first pick of five best pieces. Two trivia rounds are included.
- 131 · Writing Skills Self-Assessment
- 132 · Revising Your Favorite Piece
- 133 · Writing a Class Yearbook Entry
- 134 · Writing a Story Using All You've Learned
- 136 · Writing About What Makes a Good Writer
- 137 · Writing Year Highlights
- 138 · Publishing Your Best Piece
- 139 · Writing Goals for Next Year
- 141 · Writing a Graduation Speech
- 142 · Writing Advice for Next Year's Students
- 143 · Writing 4 Trivia Finale: Round 1
- 144 · Writing 4 Trivia Finale: Round 2
- 146 · Writing a Final Opinion Piece
- 147 · Writing a Final Narrative
- 148 · Writing 4 Portfolio: Choose Your Best 5
- 149 · Writing 4 Year in Review
- 150 · Writing 4: 150 Days!
Plus 3 review days, not listed.
Final reports and portfolioDays 151–170
A final informative piece, a short research mini-project, finishing the portfolio with an introduction, thank-you and reflection pieces, a letter to next year's student, a fun piece and a final edit. Trivia rounds and goal check-ins fill several days.
- 151 · Writing a Final Informative Piece
- 152 · Writing a Final Research Mini-Project
- 153 · Writing 4 Trivia Finale: Round 3
- 154 · Choosing Your Favorite Piece of the Year
- 156 · Finishing Your Portfolio
- 157 · Writing a Thank-You to Someone Who Helped You Learn
- 158 · Writing 4 Year in Review: Final Reflection
- 159 · Getting Excited for Writing 5
- 161 · A Letter to Next Year's Writing Student
- 162 · Writing 4 Trivia Finale: Round 4
- 163 · Writing Skills You're Most Proud Of
- 164 · One Last Fun Piece
- 166 · Writing 4 Trivia Finale: Round 5
- 167 · Celebrating a Year of Writing
- 168 · Final Edit: Polishing a Piece
- 169 · Writing Goals Check-In
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Wrap-up and celebrationDays 171–180
A final comparison essay, a summer writing project plan, choosing and sharing the proudest piece, one last fun prompt, reading aloud to family and a look ahead to Writing 5. Mostly reflection and celebration, with one more trivia round.
- 171 · Writing a Final Comparison Essay
- 172 · Writing 4 Trivia Finale: Final Round
- 173 · Choosing a Writing Project for Summer
- 174 · Your Proudest Piece of Writing This Year
- 176 · Sharing Your Writing Portfolio
- 177 · One Last Fun Writing Prompt
- 178 · Sharing Your Writing With Family One Last Time
- 179 · Preparing for Writing 5
- 180 · Writing 4 Complete! Final Celebration
Plus 1 review day, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Write an opinion piece with an introduction, organized reasons and a conclusion
- Research a topic, take notes in their own words, and write a report
- Write a story with vivid description, dialogue and a clear problem and solution
- Use relative pronouns, progressive tenses, modals and prepositional phrases
- Fix run-ons and fragments and keep verb tense consistent
- Revise a draft using feedback from a peer
Other 4th Grade subjects: Math 4 · Reading 4 · Science 4 · History 4