Standards of
Expected Student Achievement
Fourth Grade
Content Standards
Mathematics
Standards
1999 2000
Number Sense
Students will:
Read and write whole numbers in the millions
Order and compare whole numbers and decimals to two decimal places
Round whole numbers through the millions to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, or hundred thousand
Decide when a rounded solution is called for and explain why such a solution may be appropriate
Explain different interpretations of fractions, for example, parts of a whole, parts of a set, and division of whole numbers by whole numbers; explain equivalents of fractions
Write tenths and hundredths in decimal and fraction notations and know the fraction and decimal equivalents for halves and fourths (e.g., 1/2 = 0.5 or .50; 7/4 = 1 3/4 = 1.75
Write the fraction represented by a drawing of parts of a figure; represent a given fraction by using drawings; and relate a fraction to a simple decimal on a number line
Use concepts of negative numbers (e.g., on a number line, in counting, in temperature, in "owing")
Identify on a number line the relative position of positive fractions, positive mixed numbers, and positive decimals to two decimal places
Estimate and compute the sum or difference of whole numbers and positive decimals to two places
Round two-place decimals to one decimal or the nearest whole number and judge the reasonableness of the rounded answer
Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to use, standard algorithms for the addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers
Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to use, standard algorithms for multiplying a multi-digit number by a two-digit number and for dividing a multi-digit number by a one-digit number; use relationships between them to simplify computations and to check results
Solve problems involving multiplication of multi-digit numbers by two-digit numbers
Solve problems involving division of multi-digit numbers by one-digit numbers
Understand that many whole numbers break down in different ways (e.g., 12 = 4 x 3 = 2 x 6 = 2 x 2 x 3)
Know that numbers such as 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11 do not have any factors except 1 and themselves and that such numbers are called prime numbers
Students will:
Use letters, boxes, or other symbols to stand for any number in simple expressions or equations (e.g., demonstrate an understanding and the use of the concept of a variable)
Interpret and evaluate mathematical expressions that now use parentheses
Use parentheses to indicate which operation to perform first when writing expressions containing more than two terms and different operations
Use and interpret formulas (e.g., area = length x width or A = lw) to answer questions about quantities and their relationships
Understand that an equation such as y = 3x ÷ 5 is a prescription for determining a second number when a first number is given
Know and understand that equals added to equals are equal
Know and understand that equals multiplied by equals are equal
Students will:
Measure the area of rectangular shapes by using appropriate units, such as square centimeter (cm2), square meter (m2), square kilometer (km2), square inch (in2), square yard (yd2), or square mile (mi2)
Recognize that rectangles that have the same area can have different perimeters
Understand that rectangles that have the same perimeter can have different areas
Understand and use formulas to solve problems involving perimeters and areas of rectangles and squares. Use those formulas to find the areas of more complex figures by dividing the figures into basic shapes
Draw the points corresponding to linear relationships on graph paper (e.g., draw 10 points on the graph of the equation y = 3x and connect them by using a straight line)
Understand that the length of a horizontal line segment equals the difference of the x-coordinates
Understand that the length of a vertical line segment equals the difference of the y-coordinates
Identify lines that are parallel and perpendicular
Identify the radius and diameter of a circle
Identify congruent figures
Identify figures that have bilateral and rotational symmetry
Know the definitions of a right angle, an acute angle, and an obtuse angle. Understand that 90º, 180º, 270º, and 360º are associated, respectively, with 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and full turns
Visualize, describe, and make models of geometric solids (e.g., prisms, pyramids) in terms of the number and shape of faces, edges, and vertices, interpret two-dimensional representations of three-dimensional objects; and draw patterns (of faces) for a solid that, when cut and folded, will make a model of the solid
Know the definitions of different triangles (e.g., equilateral, isosceles, scalene) and identify their attributes
Know the definition of different quadrilaterals (e.g., rhombus, square, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid)
Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability
Students will:
Formulate survey questions; systematically collect and represent data on a number line; and coordinate graphs, tables, and charts
Identify the mode(s) for sets of categorical data and the mode(s), median, and any apparent outliers for numerical data sets
Interpret one- and two-variable data graphs to answer questions about a situation
Represent all possible outcomes for a simple probability situation in an organized way (e.g., tables, grids, tree diagrams)
Express outcomes of experimental probability situations verbally and numerically (e.g., 3 out of 4; 3/4)
Mathematical Reasoning
Students will:
Analyze problems by identifying relationships, distinguishing relevant from irrelevant information, sequencing and prioritizing information, and observing patterns
Determine when and how to break a problem into simpler parts
Use estimation to verify the reasonableness of calculated results
Apply strategies and results from simpler problems to more complex problems
Use a variety of methods, such as words, numbers, symbols, charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, and models, to explain mathematical reasoning
Express the solution clearly and logically by using the appropriate mathematical notation and terms and clear language; support solutions with evidence in both verbal and symbolic work
Indicate the relative advantages of exact and approximate solutions to problems and give answers to a specified degree of accuracy
Make precise calculations and check the validity of the results from the context of the problem
Evaluate the reasonableness of the solution in the context of the original situation
Note the method of deriving the solution and demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the derivation by solving similar problems
Develop generalizations of the results obtained and apply them in other circumstances