4th Grade
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St. Matthew Catholic School
GRADE FOUR Grade Level Expectations
These are the core grade level expectations based on the McRel standards and benchmarks that should be taught during fourth grade and represent what a student will learn. They are written from the student point of view. These grade level expectations are aligned with McRel standards and the standards-based progress report. The number listed is in reference to McRel 3rd edition; the number listed for Religion standard is in reference to By Their Fruits You Shall Know Them, Lorraine Ozar. The grade level expectations that are aligned with and developed by ITBS/ITED are noted in italics. Not all standards are addressed at every grade level which is appropriate considering a student’s development.
Reads, interprets, and applies Scripture to life.
• Participates in discussion*
• Knowledge of content*
• Continues to explore how the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Works of Mercy and theological virtues are lived out in one’s life
• Recognizes that God made a covenant of love with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and to all people.
• Continues to deepen one’s understanding of scripture and its relationship to daily life
• Recognizes that God’s everlasting love is revealed in the Old and New Testaments
• Recognizes that the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to be a helper, guide and inspiration.
Presents a reasoned rationale, based on faith and knowledge, for being a Catholic.
Illustrates basic understanding of Catholic dogma and doctrine in light of the “Catechism for the Catholic Church.”
• Continues to develop a deeper realization of the role of Mary’s Motherhood of Jesus, of the Church, our mother, and the greatest model of holiness
• Recognizes the Church as the people of God on the journey to heaven
• Continues to articulate more about the doctrine of the Catholic faith
Demonstrates the importance of sacraments, with an emphasis on the centrality of the Eucharist in the life of Catholics.
• Recognizes that the sacraments give grace to help us grow spiritually
• Understands that the Church has been given the power to forgive sin through the priest in the sacrament of Reconciliation
• Knows the Seven Sacraments
Makes moral decisions consistent with Church teachings.
• Realizes that God’s plan is that people be good in order to live with God forever in heaven
• Realizes that God gave humans the special gift of free will
• Recognizes that God gives us rules for living a life of love
Illustrates a basic understanding of the history of the Church.
Acknowledges and affirms the diverse cultural expressions of Catholicism.
• Recognizes the many gifts, talents and abilities that God has provided each of us
Applies Catholic principles to interpersonal relations (e.g., family, peers, work, society, Church, etc.)
• Practices Christian action toward others*
• Understands that the spiritual and corporal works of mercy are ways to show love for others
• Continues to study the meaning of stewardship i.e., stewards of creation; stewards of the Church
Demonstrates an appreciation for faith community as the way we come to know God.
• Continues an awareness of various roles and ministries in the Church
• Recognizes that the Church is a visible sign of the kingdom of God
Uses effective community building skills in relating with others.
• Applies skills to concrete life situations – is considerate of others and their feelings*
• Understands that God’s gift of life needs to be protected and nurtured from conception to death
• Understands that respect and care must be shown for the biological processes/changes of one’s own body and that of others
• Recognizes the importance of reflecting on what it means to live in relationship with God and to live a moral life
Critiques societal structures in light of Catholic social justice principles and apply to social and personal situations.
• Practices Christian action toward others*
Engages in service to the community (e.g., family, parish, local, national and global) in response to the Gospel call.
• Participates in parish and community service projects
• Is made aware of various roles and ministries in the Church
• Recognizes that the Work of the Church is to show love, peace, and justice in the world
Exercises responsible stewardship for the gift of creation.
• Practices Christian action toward others*
• Responds joyfully to God’s call to give of one’s self in love to God and others (stewardship)
• Understands that being a good steward is to respect all forms of life particularly human life from birth to death
Examines the variety of Christian life styles as ways to respond to the baptismal call to a life of service.
• Participates in parish and community service projects
Demonstrates the relationship between faith and culture through arts, social sciences, sciences, technology.
Uses appropriate resources to plan and participate in liturgy and other prayer experiences.
• Participates in planning liturgies and para-liturgies on student level of growth and awareness
Uses a variety of prayer forms (e.g., traditional, spontaneous, devotional, multicultural) to enrich and express personal and communal spirituality.
• Develops a personal relationship with Jesus that evokes a response of generous love
• Can recite and use the designated prayers and gestures; Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Grace before/after meals, Morning Prayer, Doxology (Glory Be), Act of Contrition, Rosary, Apostles’ Creed, and the Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love, Stations of the Cross and other prayers of cultural/liturgical significance as designated.*
Celebrates the presence of the Sacred in experiences of sacramentals, symbols, and rituals.
Demonstrates an understanding of liturgical seasons and feasts.
• Increases knowledge of Church’s liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter
• Participates at their own level of growth and awareness in liturgical celebrations and other forms of prayer
• Recognizes that the Church year celebrates Jesus as Savior of the world and gives honor to Mary and all the saints, living and dead