4th Grade Writing Standards – Common Core ELA

In this article, we will explore the 4th grade writing standards as aligned to Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Whether you are a parent, educator, or simply curious about the expectations for young writers, this guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview.

4th Grade Writing Standards

The Common Core 4th grade writing standards provide a roadmap for educators to ensure that students are developing the necessary skills and knowledge in writing. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key objectives outlined 4th grade writing standards. (https://www.thecorestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/W/4/)

Text Types and Purposes

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1
Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.A
Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.B
Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.C
Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.1.D
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.A
Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.B
Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.C
Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.D
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.E
Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.A
Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.B
Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.C
Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.D
Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.E
Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.

Production and Distribution of Writing

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.5
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 4 here.)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.6
With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.7
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.8
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9.A
Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions].”).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9.B
Apply grade 4 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., “Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text”).

Range of Writing

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.10
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

4th Grade Language Standards

In addition to 4th grade writing standards, the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) also provide guidelines for language development in 4th grade. Language skills, such as grammar and punctuation are essential components of effective writing. Let’s explore some of the key objectives outlined in the CCSS for 4th grade language.

Conventions of Standard English:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.A
Use relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.B
Form and use the progressive (e.g., I was walking; I am walking; I will be walking) verb tenses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.C
Use modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.D
Order adjectives within sentences according to conventional patterns (e.g., a small red bag rather than a red small bag).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.E
Form and use prepositional phrases.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.F
Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.*

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.G
Correctly use frequently confused words (e.g., to, too, two; there, their).*

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.A
Use correct capitalization.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.B
Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.C
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.D
Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

Conclusion

Teaching writing in 4th grade is a valuable opportunity to nurture young writers and equip them with essential skills for success. By aligning instruction with the Common Core 4th grade writing standards, educators can ensure that students are developing the necessary writing and language skills at the fourth-grade level.

To further support your understanding and implementation of 4th grade writing standards, you can visit this website that provides detailed information about the CCSS for writing and language at the 4th grade level.

Related Resources

Check out these step-by-step writing lessons for 4th grade that are aligned to the 4th grade writing standards:

Related Posts

A Simple Yet Effective 4th Grade Writing Curriculum

How to Run a Writing Workshop in Elementary