English Language Development

In grade three, students gave an informative/explanatory presentation. They continue to give
informative/explanatory presentations in grade four, generally on topics of their choice. For example,
after completing the “Life and Death with Decomposers” unit of the California Education and the
Environment Initiative (http://www.californiaeei.org/curriculum/correlations/commoncore/), one
student or a pair of students might decide to closely investigate decomposition at their school site
or to establish their own compost pile in a specially designated trash container. They take photos to
document the process and they digitally record an interview of themselves as well as of an expert at
the local arboretum. They present their findings to their classmates, extending all students’ learning
after the unit.

Using Language Conventions

The use of conventions contributes to effective expression. Language conventions in grammar and
usage taught in grade four include those in figure 5.13 (L.4.1a–g).

Figure 5.13. Language Conventions in Grade Four

Language Standard 1 Abbreviated Definitions and Examples

a. Use interrogative, relative

pronouns and relative adverbs.

Interrogative, relative pronouns: who, whose, whom,

which, that

Relative adverbs: where, when, why

b. Form and use the progressive

verb tenses.

Present Progressive (expresses an ongoing action): I

am playing soccer.

Past Progressive (expresses a past action which was

happening when another action occurred): I was

playing soccer when it started to rain.

Future Progressive (expresses an ongoing or continuous

action that will take place in the future): I will be

playing soccer when you arrive.

c. Use modal auxiliaries to convey

various conditions.

A helping verb used in conjunction with a main verb

to indicate modality (likelihood, ability, permission,

obligation): Can you drive? You may leave now. The

dog must not sit on the sofa.

d. Order adjectives within sentences

according to the conventional

patterns.

A small red bag rather than a red small bag

e. Form and use prepositional

phrase.

Phrases made up of a preposition and noun or pronoun

following it (the object of the preposition): My friend

ran around the block. My mother went in the

market.

f. Produce complete sentences,

recognizing and correcting

inappropriate fragments and

run-ons.

Corrects Before he took his mother’s bracelet. to Before

he took his mother’s bracelet, he thought about the

consequences.

g. Correctly use frequently confused

words.

to, too, two; there, their

436 | Chapter 5 Grade 4