Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 4 Language Arts
This course develops advanced literacy skills by engaging students with diverse perspectives and complex text structures. Students will master the art of storytelling and the precision of informative communication through collaborative inquiry and rigorous writing.
The Art of the Story: Narrative Craft
Students analyze how authors use character development and plot structure to create engaging stories.
Investigating how internal traits and external pressures drive a character's actions throughout a plot.
Using vivid language and sensory details to build immersive worlds for the reader.
Examining the sequence of events and how tension is built and released in a narrative.
Unlocking Information: Reading for Knowledge
Students learn to navigate non-fiction texts to extract information and understand complex real-world concepts.
Utilizing headers, captions, and diagrams to improve comprehension of technical or scientific texts.
Identifying the central claim of a passage and evaluating the facts used to support it.
Analyzing how two different texts approach the same topic or event.
The Power of Persuasion: Writing with Purpose
Students develop the ability to form clear arguments and support their opinions with logical reasoning.
Learning to state a clear position that can be defended with evidence and logic.
Exploring how to use facts, examples, and emotional connections to convince an audience.
Adjusting language and style to suit different readers and formal contexts.
Word Wealth: Vocabulary and Language
Students explore the origins of words and the mechanics of language to enhance their communication.
Breaking down complex words into prefixes, suffixes, and roots to unlock meaning.
Using surrounding text to define unfamiliar words and understanding subtle differences in synonyms.
Mastering sentence structure and punctuation to ensure ideas are communicated effectively.
The Shared Voice: Speaking and Listening
Students practice the skills of collaborative discussion and formal presentation to share their ideas effectively.
Learning to build on others' ideas and ask clarifying questions in a group setting.
Developing public speaking techniques including eye contact, volume, and visual support.
Evaluating the purpose and effectiveness of spoken messages in podcasts, speeches, and videos.