In Grade 4, students further develop their reading and viewing skills to interact critically with a wider variety of texts. They apply more sophisticated comprehension strategies, expand their vocabulary, and analyze how authors craft texts to convey meaning and influence readers. Students read for pleasure, personal growth, and to gather and evaluate information.
By the end of Grade Four, the learner will be expected to:
Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:
In Grade 4, Reading and Viewing instruction builds on previous skills while developing more sophisticated critical literacy. Students should engage with increasingly complex texts that challenge them to analyze author's purpose, evaluate evidence, compare perspectives, and distinguish fact from opinion. The focus shifts from basic comprehension to deeper analysis of how texts work and how authors craft meaning.
Teachers should understand the progression of reading development from transitional to fluent stages, recognizing that Grade 4 students are developing the capacity for abstract thinking that allows for more sophisticated text analysis. Instruction should balance explicit teaching of advanced comprehension strategies with ample opportunities for independent reading of self-selected texts. Cultural relevance remains essential, with texts that reflect Caribbean experiences while also expanding students' global awareness.
Media literacy becomes increasingly important at this level, as students encounter more complex information sources. Teachers should guide students to critically evaluate diverse media, identifying bias, perspective, and persuasive techniques. The connection between reading and writing should be emphasized, with students analyzing author's craft as models for their own composition.
