North Carolina 4th Grade Standards

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English Language Arts 64 standards

Reading Foundational Skills

Reading Foundational Skills
RF.4.2Create readable documents through legible handwriting (cursive).
RF.4.4 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.4.4aUse combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context."
RF.4.5 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RF.4.5aRead on-level text with purpose and understanding.
RF.4.5bRead on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.
RF.4.5cUse context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

Reading Literature

Reading Literature
RL.4.1Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text."
RL.4.2Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL.4.3Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text.
RL.4.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including words that affect meaning and tone.
RL.4.5Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems and drama when writing or speaking about a text.
RL.4.6Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.
RL.4.7Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.
RL.4.9Compare and contrast the use of similar themes and topics and patterns of events in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.
RL.4.10By the end of grade 4, read and understand literature within the 4-5 text complexity band proficiently and independently for sustained periods of time. Connect prior knowledge and experiences to text.

Reading Informational Text

Reading Informational Text
RI.4.1Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RI.4.2Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
RI.4.3Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.
RI.4.4Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
RI.4.5Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
RI.4.6Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.
RI.4.7Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
RI.4.8Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.
RI.4.9Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.
RI.4.10By the end of grade 4, read and understand informational texts within the 4-5 text complexity band proficiently and independently for sustained periods of time. Connect prior knowledge and experiences to text.

Writing

Writing
W.4.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.
W.4.1aOrganize information and ideas around a topic to plan and prepare to write.
W.4.1bIntroduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are
W.4.1cProvide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
W.4.1dLink opinion and reasons using words and phrases.
W.4.1eProvide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented.
W.4.1fWith guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by revising
W.4.2 Write informative /explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
W.4.2aOrganize information and ideas around a topic to plan and prepare to write.
W.4.2bIntroduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting,
W.4.2cDevelop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples
W.4.2dLink ideas within categories of information using words and phrases.
W.4.2eUse precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
W.4.2fProvide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
W.4.2gWith guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing, with consideration to task, purpose, and audience."
W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
W.4.3aOrganize information and ideas around a topic to plan and prepare to write.
W.4.3bOrient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally.
W.4.3cUse dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations.
W.4.3dUse a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events.
W.4.3eUse concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely.
W.4.3fProvide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
W.4.3gWith guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing, with consideration to task, purpose, and audience."
W.4.4With some guidance and support from adults, use digital tools and resources to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of word processing skills.
W.4.5Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
W.4.6Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources."

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and Listening
SL.4.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.4.1aCome to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation
SL.4.1bFollow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
SL.4.1cPose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that
SL.4.1dReview the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.
SL.4.2Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
SL.4.3Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points.
SL.4.4Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; adjust speech as appropriate to formal and informal discourse.
SL.4.5Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Language

Language
L.4.1Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking; demonstrate proficiency within the 4-5 grammar continuum.
L.4.2Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing; demonstrate proficiency within the 4-5 conventions continuum.
L.4.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.4.3aChoose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.
L.4.3bChoose punctuation for effect.
L.4.3cDifferentiate between contexts that call for formal English and situations where informal discourse is appropriate.
L.4.4Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials.
L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5aExplain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context.
L.4.5bRecognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
L.4.6Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases,

Mathematics 43 standards

Operations and Algebraic Thinking

Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.
NC.4.OA.1Interpret a multiplication equation as a comparison. Multiply or divide to solve word problems involving multiplicative comparisons using models and equations with a symbol for the unknown number. Distinguish multiplicative comparison from additive comparison.
Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.
NC.4.OA.3 Solve two-step word problems involving the four operations with whole numbers.
Use estimation strategies to assess reasonableness of answers.
Interpret remainders in word problems.
Represent problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.
Gain familiarity with factors and multiples.
NC.4.OA.4 Find all factor pairs for whole numbers up to and including 50 to:
Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors.
Determine whether a given whole number is a multiple of a given one-digit number.
Determine if the number is prime or composite.

Determine if the number is prime or composite.

Generate and analyze patterns.
NC.4.OA.5Generate and analyze a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule.

Number and Operations in Base Ten

Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit numbers whole numbers.
NC.4.NBT.1Explain that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right, up to 100,000.
NC.4.NBT.2 Read and write multi-digit whole numbers up to and including 100,000 using numerals, number names, and expanded form.
NC.4.NBT. 7 Compare two multi-digit numbers up to and including 100,000 based on the values of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic.
NC.4.NBT.4Add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers up to and including 100,000 using the standard algorithm with place value understanding.
NC.4.NBT.5Multiply a whole number of up to three digits by a one-digit whole number, and multiply up to two two-digit numbers with place value understanding using area models, partial products, and the properties of operations. Use models to make connections and develop the algorithm.
NC.4.NBT.6Find whole-number quotients and remainders with up to three-digit dividends and one-digit divisors with place value understanding using rectangular arrays, area models, repeated subtraction, partial quotients, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division.

Number and Operations – Fractions

Extend understanding of fractions.
NC.4.NF.1Explain why a fraction is equivalent to another fraction by using area and length fraction models, with attention to how the number and size of the parts differ even though the two fractions themselves are the same size.
NC.4.NF.2 Compare two fractions with different numerators and different denominators, using the denominators 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 100. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two fractions refer to the same whole. Record the results of comparisons with symbols >, =, or <, and justify the conclusions by:
Reasoning about their size and using area and length models.
Using benchmark fractions 0, ½, and a whole.
Comparing common numerator or common denominators.

Comparing common numerator or common denominators.

Build fractions from unit fractions by applying and extending previous understandings of operations on whole numbers.
NC.4.NF.3 Understand and justify decompositions of fractions with denominators of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 100.
Understand addition and subtraction of fractions as joining and separating parts referring to the same whole.
Decompose a fraction into a sum of unit fractions and a sum of fractions with the same denominator in more than one way using area models, length models, and equations.
Add and subtract fractions, including mixed numbers with like denominators, by replacing each mixed number with an equivalent fraction, and/or by using properties of operations and the relationship between addition and subtraction.
Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions, including mixed numbers by writing equations from a visual representation of the problem.
Use unit fractions to understand operations of fractions.
NC.4.NF.4 Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication to:
Model and explain how fractions can be represented by multiplying a whole number by a unit fraction, using this understanding to multiply a whole number by any fraction less than one.
Solve word problems involving multiplication of a fraction by a whole number.
Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions.
NC.4.NF.6 Use decimal notation to represent fractions.
Express, model and explain the equivalence between fractions with denominators of 10 and 100.
Use equivalent fractions to add two fractions with denominators of 10 or 100.
Represent tenths and hundredths with models, making connections between fractions and decimals.
NC.4.NF.7Compare two decimals to hundredths by reasoning about their size using area and length models, and recording the results of comparisons with the symbols >, =, or <. Recognize that comparisons are valid only when the two decimals refer to the same whole.

Measurement and Data

Solve problems involving measurement.
NC.4.MD.1 Know relative sizes of measurement units. Solve problems involving metric measurement.
Measure to solve problems involving metric units:, centimeter, meter, gram, kilogram, Liter, milliliter.
Add, subtract, multiply, and divide to solve one-step word problems involving whole-number measurements of length, mass, and capacity that are given in metric units.
NC.4.MD.2Use multiplicative reasoning to convert metric measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit using place value understanding, two-column tables, and length models.
NC.4.MD.8Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of time intervals that cross the hour.
Solve problems involving area and perimeter.
NC.4.MD.3 Solve problems with area and perimeter.
Find areas of rectilinear figures with known side lengths.
Solve problems involving a fixed area and varying perimeters and a fixed perimeter and varying areas.
Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles in real world and mathematical problems.
Represent and interpret data.
NC.4.MD.4 Represent and interpret data using whole numbers.
Collect data by asking a question that yields numerical data.
Make a representation of data and interpret data in a frequency table, scaled bar graph, and/or line plot.
Determine whether a survey question will yield categorical or numerical data.
Understand concepts of angle and measure angles.
NC.4.MD.6 Develop an understanding of angles and angle measurement.
Understand angles as geometric shapes that are formed wherever two rays share a common endpoint, and are measured in degrees.
Measure and sketch angles in whole-number degrees using a protractor.
Solve addition and subtraction problems to find unknown angles on a diagram in real-world and mathematical problems.

Geometry

Classify shapes based on lines and angles in two-dimensional figures.
NC.4.G.1Draw and identify points, lines, line segments, rays, angles, and perpendicular and parallel lines.
NC.4.G.2Classify quadrilaterals and triangles based on angle measure, side lengths, and the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines.
NC.4.G.3Recognize symmetry in a two-dimensional figure, and identify and draw lines of symmetry.

Science 20 standards

Motion and Stability- Forces and Interactions

PS.4.1 Understand how various forces affect the motion of an object.
PS.4.1.1Ask questions to summarize the relationship of magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
PS.4.1.2Carry out investigations to explain how electrically charged objects push or pull on other objects to produce motion.

Energy

PS.4.2 Understand that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.
PS.4.2.1Ask questions to identify basic forms of energy (light, sound, heat, and electrical) that cause motion or create change.
PS.4.2.2Use models to explain a simple electrical circuit and the necessary components.
PS.4.2.3Carry out investigations on common materials to classify them as insulators or conductors of electricity.

Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer

PS.4.3 Understand the nature of light and how light interacts with objects.
PS.4.3.1Carry out investigations to infer the path light travels from a light source to a mirror and how it is reflected (by the mirror) using different angles.
PS.4.3.2Carry out investigations to explain how light is refracted and absorbed.

From Molecules to Organisms- Structures and Processes

LS.4.1 Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations, and behaviors that enable organisms to survive in changing habitats.
LS.4.1.1Use models to explain that plants and animals have external structures that function to support survival.
LS.4.1.2Use models to explain that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information, and respond to the information in different ways.
LS.4.1.3Engage in argument from evidence to explain how differences among animals of the same population sometimes gives individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing in changing habitats.

Biological Evolution- Unity and Diversity

LS.4.2 Understand the use of fossils as evidence of the history of Earth and its changing life forms.
LS.4.2.1Analyze and interpret data to compare fossils to one another and living organisms.
LS.4.2.2Analyze and interpret data to explain how fossils suggest ideas about Earth's early environment.

Earth’s Place in the Universe

ESS.4.1 Understand the causes of day and night and phases of the moon.
ESS.4.1.1Use models to explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of the Earth on its axis.
ESS.4.1.2Use models to explain the repeating pattern of the phases of the moon (new, crescent, quarter, gibbous, and full).

Earth’s Systems

ESS.4.2 Understand patterns of change in the Earth's surface over time.
ESS.4.2.1Carry out investigations to classify minerals using tests for the physical properties of hardness, color, luster, cleavage and streak.
ESS.4.2.2Carry out investigations to classify rocks as metamorphic, sedimentary, or igneous based on their composition, how they are formed, and the processes that create them.
ESS.4.2.3Use models to explain changes in Earth's surface over time (to include slow changes of erosion and weathering, and fast changes of earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity).

Earth and Human Activity

ESS.4.3 Understand changes caused by human impact on the environment.
ESS.4.3.1Ask questions to infer whether changes in an organism's environment are beneficial or harmful.
ESS.4.3.2Engage in argument from evidence to explain how humans can adapt their behavior to live in changing environments (e.g. recycling wastes, establishing rain gardens, planting native species to prevent flooding and erosion).
ESS.4.3.3Obtain, evaluate and communicate information to compare solutions to environmental problems impacting plants and animals.

More Information: North Carolina Dates, Sources and Homeschool Law

North Carolina Standard Course of Study, published by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI).

Adopted by the state: English 2017, Math 2017, Science 2023, Social Studies 2021
Last checked by NexStudents: September 25, 2026

Copied from the state's own files, word for word. States revise their standards, so check the state's page for the current version.

English Language Arts (the state's file)
Mathematics (the state's file)
Science (the state's file)
Social Studies (the state's file)

Homeschool Law in North Carolina

School required for ages: 7–16
Ways to homeschool: One
Notice to the state: Yes
Teacher qualifications: Yes
Required subjects: No
Testing or evaluation: Yes
Immunization records: Yes
Instruction time: A regular schedule for at least nine calendar months a year, apart from reasonable holidays.
The law: North Carolina General Statute §115C-563

Written from HSLDA's summary of North Carolina homeschool law, read September 25, 2026. Laws change and this is not legal advice. Read HSLDA's full step-by-step guide before you file anything.