The Importance of Reading at the Right Lexile Level
Dear 4th Grade Families,
As our fourth graders grow into more confident readers, it’s essential that they’re reading chapter books that challenge them just enough — not too hard, but not too easy either. Many of our students are currently reading around the 650–750 Lexile range, which is a great foundation. However, as they prepare for upper-elementary and middle school work at Great Hearts, they’ll need to move toward the 850–1000 range to fully comprehend the rich content in our literature and history curriculum.
Why Reading at a Higher Lexile Matters
When students regularly read books just above their comfort zone:
They build stronger vocabulary and encounter more complex sentence structures.
They improve comprehension and stamina, preparing them for the challenging texts used in class.
They develop critical thinking skills, as higher-level books often have deeper themes and more subtle character development.
They gain confidence when they can understand and discuss more sophisticated material.
It’s best to aim for books slightly above your child’s current Lexile level — enough to stretch their skills without creating frustration. If you’re unsure of your child’s exact level, teachers can share that information from our Galileo assessments. Without that number, a good general target is around the 800 Lexile level for independent reading.
Helping Your Child Choose “Just Right” Books
Have your child read the first page aloud. If they can read most of the words smoothly and understand what’s happening, it’s a good fit.
Encourage daily reading of both fiction and nonfiction.
Talk about what they read — summarizing the story or discussing favorite parts helps comprehension grow.
Have your child read the first page aloud. If they can read most of the words smoothly and understand what’s happening, it’s a good fit.
Encourage daily reading of both fiction and nonfiction.
Talk about what they read — summarizing the story or discussing favorite parts helps comprehension grow.
Great Starting Chapter Books (700–900 Lexile Range)
Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo (740L)
The BFG – Roald Dahl (720L)
The Indian in the Cupboard – Lynne Reid Banks (780L)
Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’Dell (1000L)
Frindle – Andrew Clements (830L)
The Wild Robot – Peter Brown (740L)
Sarah, Plain and Tall – Patricia MacLachlan (830L)
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH -- Robert C. O'Brien (790L)
Wish -- Barbara O'Connor (800L)
Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo (740L)
The BFG – Roald Dahl (720L)
The Indian in the Cupboard – Lynne Reid Banks (780L)
Island of the Blue Dolphins – Scott O’Dell (1000L)
Frindle – Andrew Clements (830L)
The Wild Robot – Peter Brown (740L)
Sarah, Plain and Tall – Patricia MacLachlan (830L)
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH -- Robert C. O'Brien (790L)
Wish -- Barbara O'Connor (800L)
Reading books at the right level — and just above it — is one of the most effective ways to help your child grow as a reader and thinker. Thank you for supporting reading at home and helping our fourth graders continue their journey toward literary excellence!
--The Fourth Grade Team
No School November 25-27 in observation of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
On December 15th, Fourth Grade is holding our annual Robin Hood Party.
CURRICULUM:
ELA:
The last poem of Quarter 2 is "Norman and Saxon". It is due on Friday, December 11th, but we encourage students to perform as early as they choose.
LITERATURE We are reading more chapters of Robin Hood this week. This is to complete the tale and set us up for Robin Hood Essays at the end of Quarter 2.
We continue our COMPOSITION program with writing our 5 paragraph persuasive essays about Robin Hood. Scholars have learned and practiced all the parts to a correct 5 paragraph essay including the Intro, Conclusion, and Body paragraph structure and types of sentences. Students will only use class time through week 9 to complete this project. On Wednesday, scholars will choose in Reading Groups if Robin Hood was a hero or not, which sets up the basis for their essay.
In GRAMMAR, we review predicate adjectives in chapter 6 of WOL.
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
In LATIN AND GREEK ROOTS our roots are hydros and aqua, they both mean "water". Their derivatives are: hydrogen, dehydrate, hydrology, hydrologic, hydroelectric, hydroplane, hydrant, hydrophone, carbohydrate, aqueduct, aquamarine, aquarium, aquifer, aquatic, aqueous. The Roots test will be held on Friday. Scholars should study their 28 Roots Cards every day for 5-10 minutes. Q2W9 will have a cumulative test on all 30 roots.
Math:
In Math, we will begin with an open-note quiz on adding, subtracting and simplifying fractions. Simplification of fractions is a key concepts scholars should hone. We will continue with Chapter 5 concepts which is our first chapter on Fractions. Scholars will add and subtract fractions in the context of word problem solving.
Khan Academy Help for Adding with Unlike Denominators
History:
This week in History, we wrap up our Medieval Europe unit on Monday with a Comprehension Check and then launch Dynasties of China! Students begin by exploring Chapter 1, "The First Emperor," learning how Shihuangdi united China's separate states in 221 BCE, standardized writing, currency, and measurements, and built the early Great Wall to protect against invaders. We then move into Chapter 2, "The Han Dynasty," where scholars examine how China's natural geographic barriers kept the region isolated before the Silk Road opened global trade, launching a golden age of paper-making, silk production, and cultural advancements. Throughout the week, scholars build notebook folds for both dynasties and complete their "What is the Great Wall of China?" homework assignment.
Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of Unified China
Science:
This week in Science, we continue our Structures of Living Things unit by investigating how internal and external structures help plants and animals survive! Students begin by observing how dyed water travels through celery tubes to understand water transport and biological organization—from microscopic cells and tissues up to organs and organ systems. Next, scholars explore how human lungs inhale and exhale using a working lung model and examine how different animals perform essential life functions to thrive in their environments. We wrap up the week by studying how roots, stems, and leaves allow plants to perform photosynthesis as producers, starting the flow of energy for consumers across an ecosystem's food chain.
W6
Decomposers- Watermelon in soil
W5
Remember, the blog is updated weekly. Be sure to come back frequently to see any upcoming events or changes in fourth grade.