Grade 4 Math Curriculum

The Grade 4 curriculum prepares students for middle school and the weekly 1.5-hour class is busy with new learning. In this grade, students solve increasingly complex problems using the Relocation Property, they review and consolidate their learning on prime and composite numbers, and they are introduced to new topics such as probability. In Geometry, they are introduced to concepts such as point, line, ray, line segment, and more. They learn to measure angles and classify different polygons based on their properties. In this grade, they have more independent assignments, research projects, and presentations that build and strengthen their time management, social, and communication skills. Drills, problem solving, and cooperative group work continues to be a key component. Like the Grade 3s, they participate in at least two external math contests and all write the Spirit of Math International Contest during class time, and they write tests and have an exam at the end of the year. The overall curriculum is rewarding for high performing Grade 4 students.

Here’s what we cover in Grade Four:

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Drills

  • Integer Addition (2×2)
  • Multiplication (3×1)
  • Division (2×1 and 3×1)
  • Long Multiplication (3×2 with decimals)
  • Long Division (4×2 with decimals)
  • Perfect Squares to 252

Core Curriculum

  • Regrouping: Making groups of ten (adding various two- and three-digit positive and negative numbers)
  • Positive and negative integers (integral distance)
  • Relocation with multiplication and division
  • Prime numbers and prime factoring
  • Tests of Divisibility
  • Geometry (points, lines, angles, and polygons)

Problem Solving

  • Consecutive number problems (extending from grade 2, incorporating consecutive odd/even numbers)
  • “Handshakes” problems (e.g. If 15 people all shook hands with each other, how many handshakes is that?)
  • Probability (calculating mathematical probability)
  • Heads & legs (e.g. given the number of heads and legs counted, how many of a particular two-legged or four-legged animal are there?)
  • Arrangements of Letters in a Word (finding the number of different ways the letters in a given word can be arranged; introduction to combinatorics)
  • Counting pathways using factorials
  • Rate Problems (extending from grade 2)
  • Least Common Multiple (e.g. Mrs. Cherry bakes a pie every 42 minutes, and Mr. Pickle makes a sandwich every 28 minutes. If they both serve their first dish at 9 a.m., when will they next serve a dish at the same time?
  • Spirit of Math Contest (annual nation-wide contest)
  • CNML Contest (Canadian National Mathematics League)

Cooperative Group Work

  • Working in groups of 3 to 4 students to solve the POW (Problem of the Week)
  • Comparing and discussing homework solutions
  • Strengthening communication and social skills
  • Learning how to share ideas on how to collaboratively solve problems
  • Developing critical thinking and decision-making skills
  • Group research and presentation

Assessment

Grades are available online and parents receive three report cards each year. Our students will demonstrate their understanding through:

  • Five Unit Tests (at Lessons 5, 12, 18, 25 and 37)
  • Final Comprehensive Exam
  • Independent Assignments (Grade Four Problem Sets, These Will Haunt You)
  • Assignment of the Year (creating 100 different equations equaling all numbers from 1-100 using only 4 digits)
  • Wise Wizards 3 problem set
  • Problem Poster Project
  • Famous Mathematicians research project