This comprehensive course covers all important reading, writing, and grammar objectives for 4th grade students. These objectives are intertwined through all three content areas and cycled throughout the year on increasingly deeper levels.

Class meets once per week for an hour over zoom. During class, students can expect to engage in a novel study discussion and receive direct instruction for reading and writing lessons. Outside of class, students complete three weekly assignments in reading, writing, and grammar. Reading assignments vary from fiction, nonfiction, and poetry with an emphasis on novel studies. Students receive a list of discussion questions to keep in mind while they read the assigned section.


Writing assignments range from one paragraph responses to a 2-page Biography report that takes multiple weeks. Assignments include responding to reading, persuasive essays, a book review, an Ode to a Gummy Worm, an adventure story, and the student's own take on a fairy tale.

 Grammar lessons are completed independently and include simple quizzes to check for understanding. True comprehension of grammar goals is observed organically in student writing. Grammar lessons focus on complete and detailed sentences, root studies, parts of speech, punctuation rules, figurative language, and context clues. 

4th Grade Reading List

  • Geology for Kids by Megan Vestal

  • Frindle by Andrew Clements

  • Holes by Louis Sachar

  • Kid Innovators by David Stabler

  • A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms by Paul Janeczko

  • From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

  • In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord

  • The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant

  • PLUS teacher provided articles and resources

This class is designed for the average 4th grade student, but will challenge and support all levels of learners with specific, personal feedback from the teacher. The workload averages 30 minutes-1hour, 3-4x per week. Students may need assistance the first few weeks of class as they learn to pace and plan their work for that week.

View the course calendar for dates and times.