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Oakland Unified School District

Grade 4

English Language Arts

EL Education is the provider of the OUSD ELA curriculum for grades K-5,.* The curriculum is standards-based, and relies heavily on fiction and nonfiction trade books. This curriculum is open access, and full materials are available to view and at the EL Education website. 

* OUSD Dual Language schools use the Benchmark Education curriculum for language instruction.

Module 1

Poetry, Poets and Becoming Writers

An open book displaying a poem on its page.

What makes a poem a poem? What inspires writers to write poetry?

  • Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
  • A River of Words by Jen Bryant

Module 2

Animal Defense Mechanisms
 

A close-up of a leopard with a large head, showcasing its majestic features and captivating gaze.

How do animals' bodies and behaviors help them survive? How can writers use knowledge from their research to inform and entertain?

  • Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses by Christina Wilsdon
  • Venom by Marilyn Singer
  • Can You Survive the Wilderness? by Matt Doeden

Module 3

The American Revolution
 

General George Washington leading troops across icy Delaware River during Revolutionary War.

How did the American Revolution and the events leading up to it affect the people in the colonies?

  • Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak by Kay Winters
  • Divided Loyalties: The Barton Family during the American Revolution by Gare Thompson

Module 4

Ratifying the 19th Amendment
 

Women holding signs saying %22Mr. President, what will you do for woman suffrage?%22 at a protest rally.

What can we learn from the process of ratifying the 19th Amendment? How can stories inspire us to take action to contribute to a better world? How and why can we encourage and support others to contribute to a better world?

  • The Hope Chest by Karen Schwabach

Math

Eureka Math2 (Eureka Math "Squared") is the adopted OUSD curriculum for elementary schools. The curriculum is aligned to California Common Core standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade.

Fall

A wooden abacus with colorful blocks, used for counting and arithmetic calculations.

Module 1

Place Value Concepts for Addition and Subtraction
English | Spanish

Module 2

Place Value Concepts for Multiplication and Division
English | Spanish

 

Winter

A photo showing math division in action.

Module 3

Multiplication and Division of Multi-Digit Numbers
English | Spanish

Module 4

Foundations for Fraction Operations
English | Spanish

 

Spring

Chalkboard with numbers next to a sliced watermelon.

Science

For elementary science instruction, OUSD uses FOSS (Full Option Science System), a research-based science curriculum developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. This curriculum emphasizes hands-on activities and is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS ). The order of the three modules varies from school to school, depending on the rotation of physical science kits at each school site.

Physical Science

Family Resource: Energy

Renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines under the sun.

When is energy present? How does energy transfer between systems?

Investigations:

 

  • Energy and Circuits
  • The Force of Magnetism
  •  

Earth Science

Family Resource: Soils, Rocks, and Landforms

A scenic view of water falls and a charming town nestled in the beautiful landscape.

What are Earth’s land surface made of? Why are landforms not the same everywhere?

Investigations:

  • Soils and Weathering
  • Lanforms
  •  

Life Science

Family Resource: Environments

A brown bear proudly holds a fish in its mouth, showcasing its hunting prowess in the wild.

How do the structures of organisms allow it to survive in its environment?

Investigations:

  • Environmental Factors
  • Ecosystems
  •  

Social Studies

OUSD 4th graders use Newsela to access a Social Studies curriculum that focuses on California history. This online curriculum is aligned to California Common Core state standards, and consists of individual articles that are adjusted to each student's reading level.

Fall

California History: Early Years

A painting of people standing in front of a house, showcasing a serene and picturesque scene.

Chapter 1

Physical and Human Features that Define California

Chapter 2

Pre-Contact Settlements and People

Chapter 3

European Exploration and Colonial History

Winter

California History: 18th and 19th Centuries

A historic coffee-house in San Francisco, California, established by John Watson in 1849.

Chapter 4

Native Peoples and the Spanish Colonization of California

Chapter 5

The Gold Rush and Statehood

Chapter 6

California as Agricultural and Industrial Power

Spring

California History: 18th and 19th Centuries

Vehicles parked along a narrow street lined with buildings on both sides.

Chapter 7

California in a Time of Expansion

Chapter 8

California in the Post-War Era: Immigration, Technology, and Cities

Chapter 9

Local, State, and Federal Governments

An open book on a green background, showcasing knowledge and creativity.