I Can Statements
Fourth Grade
English Language Arts Standards
Standard
Reading Literature
Fourth Grade
RL4.1 Refer to details and
examples in a text when
explaining what the text
says explicitly and when
drawing inferences from the
text.
RL4.2 Determine a theme
of a story, drama, or poem
from details in the text;
summarize the text
I Can Statements
Teacher Notes
Standard Taught
Theme/Lesson
1
I can refer to details
and examples when
explaining what a text
says.
I can draw inferences
from a text.
I can determine a
theme from details in
the text.
I can summarize a text
RL4.3 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)
Academic
Vocabulary
I can describe a
character, setting or
event in a text using
specific details from
the text.
Refer
Details
Example
Drawing
inferences
Text
Determine
Theme
Story
Drama
Poem
Details
Summarize
Text
Describe
Character
Setting
Event
Story
Drama
Specific
Details
Text
2
3
4
5
6
RL4.4 Determine the
meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in
a text, including those that
allude to significant
characters found in
mythology (e.g. Herculean).
I can determine the
meaning of words and
phrases as they are
used in a text.
RL4.5 Explain major
differences between poems,
drama, and prose, and refer
to structural elements of
poems (e.g. verse, rhythm,
meter) and drama (e.g.
casts of characters, settings,
descriptions, dialogue, stage
directions) when writing or
speaking about a text.
I can explain the
differences between
poem, drama, and
prose.
RL4.6 Compare and
contrast the point of view
from which different stories
are narrated, including the
difference between first and
third-person narrations.
I can compare and
contrast the point of
view of different
stories.
RL4.7 Make connections
between the text of a story
or drama and a visual or
oral presentation of the
text, identifying where each
version reflects specific
descriptions and directions
in the text.
I can make
connections between
the text of a story or
drama with a visual or
oral presentation of
the text.
I can determine the
meaning of words that
refer to characters
from mythology.
I can refer to the
structural elements of
poems and drama
when writing or
speaking about a text.
I can identify the
difference between
first and third person
narrations.
I can identify how
each version reflects
descriptions and
directions.
Determine
Text
Characters
Mythology
Refer
Phrases
Explain
Differences
Drama
Poems
Prose
Verse
Rhythm
Meter
Casts of characters
Settings
Dialogue
Stage Directions
Dialogue
Text
Compare
Contrast
Point of view
Narrations
First person
Third person
Connections
Text
Drama
Visual
Oral
Version
Descriptions
Directions
1
2
3
4
5
6
RL4.8 Not applicable to
literature
1
RL4.9 Compare and
contrast the treatment of
similar themes and topics
(e.g. opposition of good and
evil) and patterns of events
(e.g. the quest) in stories,
myths, and traditional
literature from different
cultures.
I can compare and
contrast how stories,
myths and traditional
literature from
different cultures treat
the same theme, topic
or pattern of events.
Compare
Contrast
Theme
Topic
Quest
Myths
Traditional
literature
Culture
RL 4.10 By the end of the
year, read and comprehend
literature, including stories,
dramas, and poetry, in the
grades 4-5 text complexity
with scaffolding as needed
at the high end of the range.
I can read and
comprehend grade
level text with
increasing proficiency.
Comprehend
Text
Complexity
Scaffolding
Literature
Stories
Drama
Poetry
I can read increased
levels of text
complexity with
scaffolding as needed.
2
3
4
5
6
Reading Informational
Text - Fourth Grade
RI 4.1 Refer to details and
examples in a text when
explaining what the text
says explicitly and when
drawing inferences form the
text.
I can refer to details
and examples from the
text to explain what
the text says.
RI 4.2 Determine the main
idea of a text and explain
how it is supported by key
details; summarize the text.
I can determine the
main idea of a text and
explain it using key
details.
1
I can draw inferences
from the text.
Refer
Details
Examples
Text
Explicitly
Drawing
Inferences
Determine
Main Idea
Support
Key Details
Summarize
I can summarize a
text.
RI 4.3 Explain events,
procedures, ideas or
concepts in a historical,
scientific, or technical text,
including what happened
and why, based on specific
information in the text.
I can use information
from different types of
informational text to
explain events,
procedures, ideas and
concepts.
I can tell what
happened and why
using specific
information from the
text.
Explain
Events
Ideas
Procedures
Concepts
Historical
Scientific
Technical
Text
RI 4.4 Determine the
meaning of general
academic and domainspecific words or phrases in
a text relevant to grade 4
topic or subject area.
I can determine the
meaning of academic
and domain-specific
grade level words.
Determine
Academic
Vocabulary
Domain-Specific
Words
Relevant
Text
RI 4.5 Determine the
overall structure (e.g.
chronology, comparison,
cause/effect,
problem/solution) of
events, ideas, concepts, or
information in a text or part
of a text.
I can describe the
structure of an
informational text.
Determine
Structure
Chronology
Comparison
Cause/Effect
Problem/Solution
Concepts
Text
2
3
4
5
6
RI4.6 Compare and
contrast a firsthand and
secondhand account of the
same event or topic;
describe the differences in
focus and the information
provided.
I can compare and
contrast a firsthand
and secondhand
account of an event or
topic.
RI4.7 Interpret information
presented visually, orally,
quantitatively (e.g. in
charts, graphs, diagrams,
time lines, animations, or
interactive elements on
Web pages) and explain
how the information
contributes to an
understanding of the text in
which it appears.
I can interpret
information presented
visually, orally or
quantitatively.
RI4.8 Explain how the
author uses reasons and
evidence to support
particular points in a text.
I can explain how the
author uses reasons
and evidence to
support points in a
text.
Reasons
Evidence
Text
Support
RI4.9 Integrate information
from two texts on the same
topic in order to write or
speak about a subject
knowledgeably
I can use information
from multiple texts to
write or speak
knowledgeably about a
subject.
Integrate
Topic
knowledgeably
RI4.10 By the end of the
year, read and comprehend
informational texts,
including history/social
studies, science, and
technical texts, in the
grades 4-5 text complexity
band proficiently, with
scaffolding as needed at the
high end of the range.
I can read and
understand grade level
informational texts
with increased
proficiency.
Informational
Text
Technical Texts
Complexity Band
Proficiently
Scaffolding
Range
I can describe the
focus and information
provided.
I can explain how the
information
contributes to
understanding the
text.
I can read and
understand
increasingly complex
text with scaffolding as
needed.
Compare
Contrast
Firsthand account
Secondhand
account
Event
Topic
Focus
Interpret
Visually
Orally
Quantitatively
Diagrams
Time lines
Animations
Interactive
Elements
1
2
3
4
5
6
Reading Foundational
Skills - Fourth Grade
RF4.3 Know and apply
grade-level phonics and
word analysis skills in
decoding words.
1
 I can know and apply
grade-level phonics
and word analysis
skills in decoding
words.
Grade level
phonics
Word analysis
skills
Decoding
a. Use combined
knowledge of all letter –
sound correspondences,
syllabication patterns,
and morphology (e.g.
roots and affixes) to read
accurately unfamiliar
multisyllabic words in
context and out of
context.
 I can use combined
knowledge of all letter
sound
correspondences to
read accurately
unfamiliar
multisyllabic words in
and out of context.
 I can use
syllabication patterns
and morphology to
read accurately
unfamiliar
multisyllabic words in
and out of context.
Syllabication
patterns
Morphology
RF4.4 Read with sufficient
accuracy and fluency to
support comprehension.
 I can read with
sufficient accuracy
and fluency to
support
comprehension.
Fluency
Comprehension
Accuracy
a. Read on-level text with
purpose and understanding.
 I can read on-level
text with purpose and
understanding.
b. Read on-level prose and
poetry orally with accuracy,
appropriate rate, and
expression on successive
readings.
 I can read prose and
poetry orally with
accuracy, appropriate
rate, and expression.
c. Use context to confirm or
self-correct word
recognition and
understanding, rereading as
necessary
 I can use context to
confirm or selfcorrect word
recognition and
understanding.
Letter-sound
correspondences
Multisyllabic
words
Context
On-level text
Purpose
Understand
Prose
Poetry
Rate
Expression
Context
Self-correct
Word recognition
2
3
4
5
6
Writing –
Fourth Grade
W4.1 Write opinion pieces
on topics or texts,
supporting a point of view
with reasons and
information.
1
 I can write opinion
pieces on topics or
texts.
a. Introduce a topic or text
clearly, state and opinion,
and create an organized
structure in which related
ideas are grouped to
support the writer’s
purpose.
 I can introduce a
topic or text clearly.
b. Provide reasons that are
supported by facts and
details.
 I can provide
reasons that are
supported by facts
and details.
c. Link opinion and reasons
using words and phrases
(e.g., for instance, in order
to, in addition).
 I can link opinions
and reasons using
words and phrases.
d. Provide a concluding
statement or section related
to the opinion presented.
 I can state an
opinion and create an
organizational
structure to support
writers purpose.
 I can provide a
concluding statement
or section.
Opinion
Pieces
Topics
Texts
Supporting
Point of view
Reasons
Organized
structure
Facts
Details
Link
Words/Phrases
Concluding
Statement
Concluding
Section
Writer’s Purpose
2
3
4
5
6
W4.2 Write
informative/explanatory
texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas and
information clearly.
 I can write
informative/explana
tory texts to examine
a topic.
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.
 I can introduce a
topic clearly.
b. Develop the topic with
facts, definitions,
concrete details,
quotations, or other
information and
examples related to the
topic.
c. Link ideas within
categories of information
using words, and
phrases (e.g. another, for
example, also, because)
d. Use precise language and
domain-specific
vocabulary to inform
about or explain the
topic.
e. Provide a concluding
statement or section
related to the
information or
explanation presented.
 I can group related
information in
paragraphs and
sections
 I can include
formatting,
illustrations, and
multimedia when
useful to aid
comprehension
 I can develop the
topic with facts,
definitions, concrete
details, quotations,
or other information
and examples.
 I can link ideas
within categories of
information using
words and phrases.
 I can use precise
language and
domain-specific
vocabulary to inform
or explain a topic.
 I can provide a
concluding
statement or section.
Informative
Explanatory
Texts
Examine
Introduce
Paragraphs
Illustrations
Multimedia
Comprehension
Facts
Definitions
Concrete Details
Quotations
Link
Categories
Precise Language
Domain-Specific
Vocabulary
Inform
Explain
Concluding
Statement
Concluding
Section
1
2
3
4
5
6
W4.3 Write narratives to
develop real or imagined
experiences or events using
effective technique,
descriptive details, and
clear event sequences.
 I can write
narratives to
develop real or
imagined
experiences or
events.
 I can use effective
technique,
descriptive events,
and clear details.
a. Orient the reader by
establishing a situation
and introducing a
narrator and/or
characters; organize an
event sequence that
unfolds naturally.
 I can orient the
reader by
establishing a
situation,
introducing a
narrator, and/or
characters.
 I can organize an
event sequence that
unfolds naturally.
b. Use dialogue and
description to develop
experiences and events
or show the responses of
characters to situations.
 I can use dialogue
and description to
develop experience
and events

c. Use a variety of
transitional words and
phrases to manage the
sequence of events.
d. Use concrete words and
phrases and sensory
details to convey
experiences and events
precisely.
I can show the
responses of
characters to
situations.
 I can use a variety
of transitional
words and phrases
to manage the
sequence of events.
 I can use concrete
words and phrases
and sensory details
to convey
experiences and
events precisely.
Narrative
Imagined
experiences
Effective
techniques
Descriptive details
Sequences
Orient
Situation
Narrator
Characters
Event sequence
Dialogue
Description
Characters
Situations
Transitional words
Transitional
phrases
Sequence of events
Concrete words
Concrete phrases
Sensory details
Convey
Precise
Conclusion
Narrated
experiences
1
2
3
4
5
6
W4.3 continued
e. Provide a conclusion
that follows from the
narrated experiences or
events.
 I can provide a
conclusion that
follows from the
narrated
experiences or
events.
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)
 I can produce clear
and coherent
writing in which
the development
and organization
or appropriate to
task, purpose, and
audience.
Produce
Coherent
Development
Organization
Task
Purpose
Audience
W 4.5 With guidance and
support from peers and
adults, develop land
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).
 I can develop and
strengthen writing
as needed by
planning, revising,
and editing, with
guidance and
support from
peers and adults.
Strengthen
Planning
Revising
Editing
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 setting.
 I can use
technology to
produce and
publish writing,
and to interact and
collaborate with
others, with some
guidance and
support from
adults.
Technology
Internet
Interact
Collaborate
Keyboarding skills
 I can demonstrate
sufficient
command of
keyboarding skills
to type a minimum
of one page in a
single sitting.
W 4.7 Conduct short
research projects that build
knowledge through
investigation of different
aspects of a topic.
 I can conduct
short research
projects that build
knowledge
through
investigation of
different aspects of
a topic.
Research projects
Investigation
Aspects
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.
 I can recall
relevant
information from
experiences or
gather relevant
information from
print and digital
sources.
Relevant
information
Print Sources
Digital Sources
 I can take notes,
categorize
information, and
provide a list of
sources.
Categorize
Taking Notes
1
2
3
4
5
6
W 4.9 Draw evidence from
literary or information texts
to support analysis,
reflection, and research.
 I can draw
evidence from
literary or
informational texts
to support
analysis,
reflection, and
research.
a. Apply grade 4 Reading
standards to literature
texts (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].”)
 I can apply grade 4
reading standards
to literature texts.
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”).
 I can apply grade 4
reading standards
to informational
texts.
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.
 I can write
routinely over
extended time
frames, and
shorter time
frames, for a range
of disciplinespecific tasks,
purposes, and
audiences.
Literary Texts
Informational
Texts
Analysis
Reflection
Research
Extended Time
Frames
Shorter Time
Frames
Discipline-Specific
Tasks
Purposes
Audiences
1
2
3
4
5
6
Speaking and Listening
Fourth Grade
SL 4.1 Engage effectively in
a range of collaborative
discussions (one-on-one, in
groups, and teacher-led)
with diverse partners on
grade 4 topics and texts,
building on others’ ideas
and expressing their own
clearly.
1
 I can engage
effectively in a
range of
collaborative
discussions with
diverse partners
on grade 4 topics
and texts.
 I can build on
others’ ideas and
express my own.
a. Come to discussions
prepared, having read or
studied required material;
explicitly draw on that
preparation and other
information known about
the topic to explore ideas
under discussion.
 I can come to
discussions
prepared to
explore ideas
under discussion.
b. Follow agreed-upon rules
for discussions and carry
out assigned roles.
 I can follow agreed
upon rules for
discussions, and
carry out assigned
roles.
c. Pose and respond to
specific questions to
clarify or follow up on
information and make
comments that contribute
to the discussion and link
to the remarks of others.
 I can pose and
respond to specific
questions to clarify
or follow up on
information.
 I can make
comments that
contribute to the
discussion and
link to others’
remarks.
Collaborative
discussions
Pose and respond
Key ideas
2
3
4
5
6
SL 4.1 Continued
d. Review the key ideas
expressed and explain
their own ideas and
understanding in light of
the discussion.
 I can review key
ideas expressed
and explain my
own ideas in light
of the discussion.
SL 4.2 Paraphrase portions
of a text read aloud or
information presented in
diverse media, and formats
including visually,
quantitatively, and orally
 I can paraphrase
portions of a text
read aloud or
information
presented in
diverse media.
Paraphrase
Diverse Media
SL 4.3 Identify the reasons
and evidence a speaker
provides to support
particular points.
 I can identify the
reasons and
evidence a speaker
provides to
support particular
points.
Reasons
Evidence
SL 4.4 Report on a topic or
text, tell a story, or recount
an experience in an
organized manner, using
appropriate facts and
relevant, descriptive details
to support main ideas or
themes; speak clearly at an
understandable pace.
 I can report on a
topic or text, tell a
story, or recount
an experience in
an organized
manner.
Report
Recount
Topic
Text
Descriptive Details
Relevant
Understandable
Pace
Main Ideas
Themes
 I can use
appropriate facts,
relevant,
descriptive details
to support main
ideas or themes.
 I can speak clearly
at an
understandable
pace.
SL 4.5 Add audio recordings
and visual displays to
presentations when
appropriate to enhance the
development of main ideas
or themes.
 I can add audio
recordings and
visual displays to
presentations
when appropriate
to enhance the
development of
main ideas or
themes.
Audio Recordings
Visual Displays
Main Ideas
Themes
SL 4.6 Differentiate
between contexts that call
for formal English (e.g.,
presenting ideas) and
situations where informal
discourse is appropriate
(e.g., small-group
discussion); use formal
English when appropriate
to task and situation. (See
grade 4 Language standards
for specific expectations.)
 I can differentiate
between contexts
that call for formal
English, and
situations where
informal discourse
is appropriate.
Differentiate
Contexts
Formal English
Informal
Discourse
 I can use formal
English when
appropriate to a
task and situation.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Language –
Fourth Grade
L 4.1 Demonstrate
command of the
conventions of standard
English grammar and usage
when writing or speaking
1
 I can demonstrate
a command of the
conventions of
standard English
grammar and
usage when
writing or
speaking.
a. Use relative pronouns
(who, whose, whom,
which, that) and relative
adverbs (where, when,
why
 I can use relative
pronouns and
relative adverbs.
b. Form and use the
progressive verb tenses
(e.g. I was walking; I am
walking; I will be walking
 I can form and use
progressive verb
tenses.
c. Use modal auxiliaries
(e.g., can, may, must) to
convey various
conditions.
 I can use modal
auxiliaries to
convey various
conditions.
d. Order adjectives within
sentences according to
conventional patterns
(e.g., a small red bag
rather than a red small
bag)
 I can order
adjectives within
sentences
according to
conventional
patterns.
e. Form and use
prepositional phrases.
 I can form and use
prepositional
phrases.
f. Produce complete
sentences, recognizing
and correcting
inappropriate fragments
and run-ons *
g. Correctly use frequently
confused words (e.g., to,
too, two; there, their)
 I can produce
complete
sentences.
 I can correctly use
frequently
confused words.
Demonstrate
Conventions
Grammar
Usage
Relative pronouns
Relative adjectives
Progressive Verb
Tenses
Modal Auxiliaries
Adjectives
Prepositional
Phrases
Sentence
Fragment
2
3
4
5
6
L4.2 Demonstrate
command of the
conventions of standard
English capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling
when writing.
 I can demonstrate
command of the
conventions of
standard English.
a. Use correct capitalization.
 I can use correct
capitalization.
b. Use commas and
quotation marks to mark
d direct speech and
quotations from a text.
 I can use commas
and quotation
marks.
c. Use a comma before a
coordinating conjunction
in a compound sentence.
 I can use a comma
in a compound
sentences
d. Spell grade-appropriate
words correctly,
consulting references as
needed.
 I can spell gradeappropriate words
correctly using
references as
needed.
Conventions
Capitalization
Punctuation
Comma
Quotation marks
Conjunction
Compound
sentence
References
1
2
3
4
5
6
L4.3 Use knowledge of
language and its
conventions when writing,
speaking, reading, or
listening.
 I can use knowledge
of language and its
conventions.
a. Choose words and
phrases to convey ideas
precisely. *
 I can choose words
and phrases to
precisely convey
ideas.
b. Choose punctuation for
effect. *
 I can use
punctuation for
effect.
c. Differentiate between
contexts that call for
formal English (e.g.
presenting ideas) and
situations where informal
discourse is appropriate
(e.g. small-group
discussion).
 I can differentiate
between contexts
that call for formal
English and
informal discourse.
Precisely
Punctuation
Contexts
Informal discourse
Formal discourse
1
2
3
4
5
6
L4.4 Determine or clarify
the meaning of unknown
and multiple-meaning
words and phrases based on
grade 4 reading and
content, choosing flexibly
from a range of strategies.
 I can determine or
clarify the meaning
of unknown and
multiple-meaning
words and phrases.
a. Use context (e.g.
definitions, examples, or
restatements in text) as a
clue to the meaning of a
word or phrase.
 I can use context as
a clue to the
meaning of a word
or phrase.
b. Use common, gradeappropriate Greek and
Latin affixes and roots as
clues to the meaning of
the words (e.g.
telegraph, photograph,
autograph).
 I can use gradelevel appropriate
Greek and Latin
affixes and roots as
clues to the
meaning of words.
c. Consult reference
materials (e.g
dictionaries, glossaries,
thesauruses), both print
and digital, to find the
pronunciation and
determine or clarify the
precise meaning of key
words and phrases.

I can consult print
and digital
reference materials
to find the
pronunciation and
precise meaning of
key words and
phrases.
Multiple-meaning
words
Flexibility
Strategies
Greek Affixes
Latin Affixes
Root Words
Reference
Materials
Dictionary
Glossary
Thesaurus
1
2
3
4
5
6
L4.5 Demonstrate
understanding of figurative
language, word
relationships, and nuances
in word meanings.
 I can demonstrate
understanding of
figurative language,
word relationships,
and nuances in
word meanings.
a. Explain the meaning of
simple similes and
metaphors (e.g., as
pretty as a picture) in
context.
 I can explain the
meaning simple
similes and
metaphors.
b. Recognize and explain
the meaning of common
idioms, adages, and
proverbs.
 I can recognize and
explain the
meaning of
common idioms,
adages, and
proverbs.
c. Demonstrate
understanding of words
by relating them to their
opposites (antonyms)
and to words with
similar but not identical
meanings (synonyms).
 I can demonstrate
understanding of
words by relating
them to their
antonyms and
synonyms.
L4.6 Acquire and use
accurately gradeappropriate general
academic and domainspecific words and phrases,
including those that signal
precise actions, emotions or
states of being (e.g.,
quizzed, whined,
stammered) and that are
basic to a particular topic
(e.g., wildlife, conservation,
and endangered when
discussing animal
preservation.
 I can acquire, and
use accurately,
grade-appropriate
general academic
and domainspecific words and
phrases.
Figurative
Language
Relationships
Nuances
Similes
Metaphors
Idioms
Adages
Proverbs
Synonyms
Antonyms
Academic
language
Domain Specific
words
Grade appropriate
words
1
2
3
4
5
6