Fourth Grade Math Assessments: What To Expect

What Will My Fourth Grader Be Learning in Math?

At the fourth grade level, there are three main focus areas in your child's math curriculum. Your child will be developing fluency in multiplying multi-digit numbers and furthering his or her understanding of dividing with multi-digit dividends. It's also important that fourth graders can solve multi-step word problems that contain addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Additionally, at this grade level, students should be able to add and subtract fractions with like denominators and multiply a fraction by a whole number. You will also want to be sure that your child can compare two fractions that have different numerators and different denominators. In geometry, your fourth grader will draw and identify lines, line segments, rays, points and angles. Your child should also be able to classify geometric figures based on their properties, such as parallel or perpendicular lines.

What Should I Know about Fourth Grade Math Assessments?

In fourth grade, students should expect to take a test at the end of each unit or chapter to demonstrate their level of understanding. Some teachers may give their fourth grade students timed tests on the four basic math operations. Your child will also be required to take a standardized test in the spring of the school year.

The assessments that students take are directly aligned with your state's math standards. However, your child's teacher can include any type of questions that he or she wants. As a result, your fourth grader should be prepared for multiple-choice questions as well as open-ended word problems. To help your child do as well as possible on math assessments, make sure that he or she is paying attention in class and that all homework assignments are accurately completed. Extra home practice worksheets or interactive math games can help your fourth grader better understand math concepts that are more difficult for him or her.

It is also common for teachers to assess students formatively throughout their teaching. Formative assessments often do not contribute to a student's grades and may be conducted without the child even realizing that he or she is being assessed. A teacher's observations of a student's classroom participation and performance are examples of formative assessments that can be conducted.