Quarter 4 · Weeks 28–36

Synthesis: Area, Shapes, Research, Traits & Civic Action

Children find area and perimeter, sort shapes, and make picture and bar graphs before a year-end performance task. In writing they research, draft, publish and present a report, then perform reader's theater and build a portfolio. Science studies inherited traits, variation, the environment and fossils, ending with a science fair. Social studies covers interdependence, maps, money and budgets, and a civic action project.

Units in this quarter

Quarter plan

By the end of this quarter

Mathematics

Your child can find the area of a rectangle by counting unit squares and by multiplying its side lengths.
Your child can find the area of a shape made of rectangles by splitting it into parts and adding.
Your child can find the perimeter of a shape, find an unknown side length, and tell area and perimeter apart in a word problem.
Your child can name shapes by their sides and corners and explain how squares, rectangles, rhombuses and other four-sided shapes are related.
Your child can split a shape into equal parts and name each part as a fraction of the whole.
Your child can make and read picture graphs and bar graphs with scales and solve how-many-more problems from them.

Matters most for what comes next: Finding area by multiplying, telling area from perimeter, and solving two-step problems with all four operations matter most as your child moves into fourth-grade math.

Reading & Writing

Your child can choose a topic, write a research question and find trustworthy sources.
Your child can take notes sorted by subtopic and record where each fact came from.
Your child can write, revise, edit and publish a research report with an introduction, body paragraphs, a conclusion and a visual.
Your child can give a short talk on a researched topic, speaking clearly and answering questions with details.
Your child can read a script or poem aloud with expression and recite a short poem from memory.
Your child can choose their best work, explain how they grew as a reader and writer, and set goals for fourth grade.

Matters most for what comes next: Researching from more than one source, writing organized paragraphs in their own words, and revising and editing their own work matter most for fourth-grade writing.

Science

Your child can explain that plants and animals get many traits from their parents, and that brothers and sisters still differ.
Your child can sort features and behaviors into those a living thing is born with and those it learns.
Your child can use evidence to show that the environment, such as sunlight or food, can change a living thing's traits.
Your child can explain how a difference in a trait can help some individuals survive and have young.
Your child can explain how fossils form and what they show about living things and places of long ago.
Your child can plan and carry out a fair test, graph the data and present a claim with evidence.

Matters most for what comes next: Running a fair test, graphing the data and backing a claim with evidence and reasoning matter most; fourth-grade science expects these habits from the start.

Social Studies

Your child can explain how people, regions and countries depend on each other for goods and services.
Your child can read resource, population and climate maps and use them to explain where people live.
Your child can explain how people earn income, what banks do, and how to keep track of money saved and spent.
Your child can make a budget that puts needs first and a plan to save, spend and give.
Your child can choose a real community issue, research it, plan an action and report the results.
Your child can present a proposal to improve the community, with a map, a cost plan and reasons.

Matters most for what comes next: Keeping a simple budget, reading several maps together, and following the steps of civic action matter most for the state and national studies ahead.

Assessment calendar

Week	Day	Subject	What
28	5	All subjects	Weekly checkWeekly checks in all four subjects, every Day 5
30	5	Mathematics	Unit testUnit 5 Test: Time, Measurement, Area & Perimeter
30	5	Reading & Writing	Unit testUnit 5 Test: Figurative Language & the Research Report
30	5	Science	Unit testUnit 5 Test: Forecasting, Adaptation & Traits
30	5	Social Studies	Unit testUnit 5 Test: Economics
31	4	Reading & Writing	ProjectPublished research report (written in Weeks 28–31)
33	5	Reading & Writing	ProjectResearch talk with a visual aid (prepared Days 1–4)
34	4	Science	ProjectTrait survey presentation (work begins Day 1)
34	5	Social Studies	ProjectCivic Action Project: poster and presentation (Weeks 33–34)
35	5	Mathematics	ProjectYear-end performance task (Days 4–5)
35	5	Reading & Writing	ProjectPortfolio presentation (work begins Day 1)
35	5	Science	ProjectScience fair investigation: display and presentation (work begins Day 1)
35	5	Social Studies	ProjectCommunity Showcase project: presentation (work begins Day 1)
36	1	Mathematics	Quarter reviewQuarter 4 Review: Mathematics
36	2	Reading & Writing	Quarter reviewQuarter 4 Review: Reading & Writing
36	3	Science	Quarter reviewQuarter 4 Review: Science
36	4	Social Studies	Quarter reviewQuarter 4 Review: Social Studies
36	5	Mathematics	Unit testUnit 6 Test: Shapes, Data & Year Review
36	5	Reading & Writing	Unit testUnit 6 Test: Publishing, Speaking & Year Review
36	5	Science	Unit testUnit 6 Test: Environment, Fossils & Science Fair
36	5	Social Studies	Unit testUnit 6 Test: Saving, Giving & Civic Action

Pacing and planning

Week 32 is the flex week, Week 35 is the project week and Week 36 is the review week. Math still teaches graphs on Week 35 Days 1–3.
A week behind? Keep math Weeks 28–31 and the ELA report steps in Weeks 28–31 whole. Use Week 32 Days 3–4 for missed lessons.
Week 30 Day 5 and Week 36 Day 5 each hold four unit tests. Use two days; in Week 36, give the year-end checks on a third day.
Week 35 Day 5 has four presentations. Hold two on Day 5 and two the next day, or invite family to one shared showcase.
Gather ahead: three sources for the research report by Week 28 Day 4, and United States resource, population and climate maps for Week 29.
Soak six bean seeds overnight before Week 31 Day 1. Have modeling clay ready for Week 33 and poster board for Weeks 34–35.

Week 28: ELA starts a four-week research report; choose a topic and find three sources by Day 4.
Week 30: All four Unit 5 tests fall on Day 5.
Week 31: The research report is published on Day 4; science starts a bean plant sunlight test on Day 1.
Week 32: Flex week: Days 1–2 catch up; Days 3–4 hold the Garden Fence Challenge, a bird design and a lemonade stand.
Week 33: Social studies begins the Civic Action Project; ELA ends the week with the research talk on Day 5.
Week 34: The Civic Action Project is presented on Day 5; a trait survey and a memorized poem are presented on Day 4.
Week 35: Project week: science fair, Community Showcase, ELA portfolio and math task finish on Day 5. Math teaches graphs on Days 1–3.
Week 36: Review week: Quarter 4 Reviews on Days 1–4; Unit 6 tests and year-end checks on Day 5 (social studies year-end: Day 4).

Quarter 4 Reviews Quarter 4 report form

See what your state adds or places differently

Weeks in this quarter

Open a week for the full plan, jump straight to a day, or print the whole week.

Week 28

Videos Print

English Language Arts: I can choose a research topic that I care about and that is small enough to study in four weeks(W.3.7, SL.3.1, SL.3.1.B, SL.3.1.C)
Mathematics: I can explain that area is the amount of flat space inside a shape(3.MD.C.5, 3.MD.C.5.a, 3.MD.C.5.b, 3.MD.C.6)
Science: I can explain that a trait is a feature of a living thing and name some of my own traits(3-LS3-1)
Social Studies: I can explain what interdependence means and trace one everyday item back to the people who helped make it(D2.Eco.4.3-5, D2.Eco.3.3-5, D2.Civ.6.3-5, D2.Geo.7.3-5)

Activities

English: Set the discussion rules first
Mathematics: 1) Your child covers the sticky note with squares and counts (9 square units)
Science: What Are Traits?
Social: Trace It Back

Reading list

The Ugly Duckling — Hans Christian AndersenRead-aloud
Jada Jones: Rock Star — Kelly Starling Lyons
A Chair for My Mother — Vera B. Williams
Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts

Week 29

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English Language Arts: I can take short notes and sort them by subtopic, not by source(W.3.8, RI.3.2, L.3.2.D, L.3.6)
Mathematics: I can multiply side lengths to find the area of a rectangle(3.MD.C.7.a, 3.MD.C.7.b, 3.OA.A.4, 3.MD.C.7.c)
Science: I can identify inherited traits that a living thing is born with(3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2)
Social Studies: I can read a resource map and tell where some important natural resources are found in the United States(D2.Geo.2.3-5, D2.Geo.8.3-5, D2.Geo.6.3-5, D2.Geo.10.3-5)

Activities

English: 1) Your child rereads the fanning sentence and covers it
Mathematics: Your child sketches each rectangle, labels both side lengths and multiplies
Science: Inherited Traits
Social: Make a Resource Map

Reading list

Jada Jones: Rock Star — Kelly Starling LyonsRead-aloud
A Chair for My Mother — Vera B. Williams
Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts
Charlotte's Web — E. B. White

Week 30

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English Language Arts: I can plan the parts of my research report in an outline(W.3.2, W.3.2.A, W.3.4, L.3.3.A)
Mathematics: I can explain that perimeter is the distance all the way around a shape(3.MD.D.8, 3.OA.D.8, 3.MD.A.1, 3.MD.A.2)
Science: I can observe and measure variation among living things of the same kind(3-LS3-1, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS3-2, 3-ESS2-1)
Social Studies: I can explain how people earn income and why learning new skills can help them earn more later(D2.Eco.6.3-5, D2.Eco.3.3-5, D2.Eco.13.3-5, D2.Eco.9.3-5)

Activities

English: 1) Ask: "Which bee notes page feeds Body 2?" (What happens in the hive.) 2) Ask…
Mathematics: 1) Your child lays string around the book cover, then measures the string along…
Science: Same Kind, Different Individuals
Social: Bean Mover Test

Reading list

A Chair for My Mother — Vera B. WilliamsRead-aloud
Jada Jones: Rock Star — Kelly Starling Lyons
Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts
Charlotte's Web — E. B. White

Week 31

Videos Print

English Language Arts: I can make a labeled picture, diagram or chart that teaches something my words do not(W.3.2.A, RI.3.7, RF.3.3.D, L.3.2.E)
Mathematics: I can find both the area and the perimeter of a rectangle and tell them apart(3.MD.D.8, 3.MD.C.7.b, 3.OA.D.8)
Science: I can set up a fair test to see how sunlight affects plants of the same kind(3-LS3-2, 3-LS3-1)
Social Studies: I can explain reasons to save and make a plan to reach a savings goal(D2.Eco.1.3-5, D2.Eco.2.3-5, D2.Civ.6.3-5, D2.Civ.10.3-5)

Activities

English: Your child names the best visual and tells why
Mathematics: Your child sketches each rectangle, shades the inside and traces the edge
Science: Environment Affects Growth
Social: Goal thermometers

Reading list

The Hundred Dresses — Eleanor EstesRead-aloud
A Chair for My Mother — Vera B. Williams
Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts
Charlotte's Web — E. B. White

Week 32

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English Language Arts: I can understand the important words in a passage and paraphrase it in my own words (catch-up day)(W.3.8, RI.3.4, RI.3.2, L.3.4.A)
Mathematics: I can tell area and perimeter apart and find both for shapes made of rectangles(3.MD.C.7.b, 3.MD.C.7.d, 3.MD.D.8, 3.OA.A.4)
Science: I can correctly sort traits and behaviors as inherited or learned and explain my reasons(3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-2, 3-LS4-3)
Social Studies: I can trace goods through a chain of people and read the key on a resource or population map(D2.Eco.4.3-5, D2.Geo.2.3-5, D2.Geo.6.3-5, D2.Eco.1.3-5)

Activities

English: 1) Ask: "Find grooming
Mathematics: Work on grid paper
Science: Flex Day 1 — Catch-Up: Inherited or Learned
Social: Catch-up practice

Reading list

Charlotte's Web — E. B. WhiteRead-aloud
Jada Jones: Rock Star — Kelly Starling Lyons
A Chair for My Mother — Vera B. Williams
Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts

Week 33

Videos Print

English Language Arts: I can plan a 3–5 minute talk about my research with a hook, key facts and a strong close(SL.3.4, W.3.4, L.3.3.B, RF.3.3.C)
Mathematics: I can name flat shapes by counting their sides(3.G.A.1, 3.G.A.2, 3.NF.A.1)
Science: I can explain what a fossil is and name different kinds of fossils(3-LS4-1)
Social Studies: I can explain what civic action is and name the steps of a civic action project(D4.7.3-5, D2.Civ.2.3-5, D2.Civ.14.3-5, D4.6.3-5)

Activities

English: 1) Plan the hook two ways
Mathematics: Use all 12 cards
Science: What Are Fossils?
Social: Civic action sort

Reading list

Fossils Tell of Long Ago — AlikiRead-aloud
Jada Jones: Rock Star — Kelly Starling Lyons
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia — Miranda Paul
What Can a Citizen Do? — Dave Eggers

Week 34

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English Language Arts: I can read a script aloud as reader's theater and use the parts of a play to read it well(RL.3.5, RL.3.10, RF.3.4.A, RF.3.4.B)
Mathematics: I can explain why every square is a rectangle but not every rectangle is a square(3.G.A.1)
Science: I can plan a survey to collect data about one inherited trait(3-LS3-1)
Social Studies: I can begin my civic action safely and keep a log of what I did and what happened(D4.7.3-5, D2.Civ.7.3-5, D4.8.3-5, D4.2.3-5)

Activities

English: 1) Each reader highlights their own character name and lines in one color
Mathematics: Your child tests each card, places it, and says the reason aloud
Science: Plan a Trait Survey
Social: Action Day 1

Reading list

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia — Miranda PaulRead-aloud
Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems — Eloise Greenfield
A Child's Garden of Verses — Robert Louis Stevenson
The New Kid on the Block — Jack Prelutsky

Week 35

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English Language Arts: I can look through my year of writing, talk about how it changed, and choose my best pieces(W.3.10, W.3.5, SL.3.1, SL.3.1.A)
Mathematics: I can read and make a picture graph where one picture stands for more than one(3.MD.B.3, 3.OA.D.8, 3.MD.C.7.b, 3.MD.D.8)
Science: I can choose a testable question for my science fair investigation(3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-3)
Social Studies: I can choose a focus for my year-end community project that uses what I learned this year(D4.6.3-5, D2.Civ.6.3-5, D2.Eco.8.3-5, D3.1.3-5)

Activities

English: 1) Sort the year's work into four piles by quarter
Mathematics: Make a graph together
Science: Choose a Science Fair Question
Social: Choose a focus

Reading list

Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows — Asia CitroRead-aloud
Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems — Eloise Greenfield
A Child's Garden of Verses — Robert Louis Stevenson
The New Kid on the Block — Jack Prelutsky

Week 36

Videos Print

English Language Arts: I can write an opinion piece with a clear opinion, reasons, linking words and a conclusion(W.3.1, W.3.1.A, W.3.1.B, W.3.1.C)
Mathematics: I can round, add, subtract, multiply and divide to review place value and operations(3.NBT.A.1, 3.NBT.A.2, 3.NBT.A.3, 3.OA.C.7)
Science: I can explain forces, balanced and unbalanced forces, and magnets(3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2, 3-PS2-3, 3-PS2-4)
Social Studies: I can review the year's economics and money ideas and explain each key term(D2.Eco.1.3-5, D2.Eco.3.3-5, D2.Eco.4.3-5, D2.Eco.9.3-5)

Activities

English: Plan an opinion piece together on this question: "Should kids choose their own…
Mathematics: Your child names the week for each kind, then solves and checks
Science: Review: Forces, Motion and Magnets (Q1)
Social: Card sort

Reading list

The New Kid on the Block — Jack PrelutskyRead-aloud
Zoey and Sassafras: Dragons and Marshmallows — Asia Citro
Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems — Eloise Greenfield
A Child's Garden of Verses — Robert Louis Stevenson

Key milestones this quarter

Unit 5 tests (Week 30)
Published research report and presentation
Trait survey and science fair
Civic action project
Unit 6 tests and year-end assessment (Week 36)