Welcome to 4th Grade: Understanding the Wonderful World of 9 and 10-Year-Olds
Hello there, teacher friend! I’ve seen a lot of teachers on social media who teaching fourth grade for the first time and are wondering, what are fourth graders like? First of all, congratulations on embarking on the exciting journey of teaching fourth grade. Let me follow that by saying that fourth graders are an at awesome age to teach and you are going to love them. In fact, if you’re like me you may never want to leave!
In 1994 when I was first interviewing for teaching jobs, I had it in my head that I wanted to teach middle school, maybe even up to junior high (5th-8th in my district). What was I thinking? As fate turned out, I was offered a long term subbing position in fourth grade in the district where I graduated, so I jumped at the opportunity. Little did I know that 30 years later I would still be teaching fourth grade in the same district and importantly, still LOVE IT!
With 30 years of teaching 4th grade under my belt, I’ve had the privilege of watching countless 9 and 10-year-olds grow and develop. In fact, I can now say I have even taught a handful of students who are children of my former fourth graders. (Yikes!)
Each age group brings its own unique challenges and joys, and 4th graders are no exception. Let me share with you what you can expect and how you can best support your students during this pivotal year.
Cognitive Development: Hungry Minds
One of the best things about teaching 9 and 10 year olds is that they are developing more sophisticated thinking skills. They are moving from concrete to more abstract thinking and are starting to understand more complex concepts and ideas. You’ll be amazed how much a fourth grader can learn!
- Curiosity and Questioning: Be prepared for a barrage of questions, even many that you will not know the answers to! These students are naturally curious and eager to learn about the world around them. Encourage this curiosity by fostering a classroom environment where questions are welcomed and explored. It is common for this age to become fixated on a topic – like say, the Titanic or spiders and want to learn all they can about it.
- Problem-Solving Skills: They are beginning to develop strong problem-solving skills. Present them with challenges and puzzles that stimulate their thinking and watch them engage deeply.
Future post: Here are my favorite ways to challenge students. - Reading: Fourth graders typically make significant strides in reading. They move from learning to read to reading to learn. Encourage them to read a variety of genres Students in 4th grade are usually choosing to read more chapter books over picture books at this age. Some students will choose the biggest book they can find in the library.
Future post: Here is a list of some of my students favorite books and series at this age. - Writing: In fourth grade, students are learning to be more expressive in their writing and speech. You can help them improve their writing by focusing on structure, clarity, and creativity. Students at this age should be able to write multiple paragraphs about a topic. My students love to write independently using the Book Creator app and will even stay inside during recess to work on their books with their friends. I highly recommend this app!
Social and Emotional Development: Building Friendships
Socially and emotionally, 9 and 10-year-olds are at a stage where peer relationships become increasingly important. They are learning to navigate friendships, resolve conflicts, and understand their own emotions.
- Not babies, but not teenagers (yet). Fourth graders are in a delightful in-between stage—no longer little children, but not yet teenagers. Throughout the school year, you’ll witness significant growth and change in them. Generally, they exhibit more independence and maturity, though they haven’t yet developed the surliness or moodiness often associated with adolescence. Unlike first and second graders, you shouldn’t need to help them with zipping up coats or tying shoelaces. However, many fourth graders still hold onto the magic of childhood, many believing in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy, even as they begin to question these beliefs for the first time. One of my favorite aspects of teaching this age group is that they occupy a “Goldilocks zone” of youthful innocence and sweetness, balanced perfectly before the more challenging attitudes of middle school emerge.
- Peer Influence: Friendships take on greater significance, and peer approval becomes more important. Group work and collaborative projects can help them build these critical social skills.
- Empathy and Fairness: At this age, children develop a strong sense of justice and fairness. They are learning to see things from others’ perspectives, so discussions about empathy and moral dilemmas can be very impactful.
- Self-Esteem and Confidence: Fourth graders are building their self-esteem and confidence. Positive reinforcement and constructive feedback are crucial. Celebrate their successes and provide support when they struggle.
Physical Development: Active and Energetic
Physically, 9 and 10-year-olds are bursting with energy. They need plenty of opportunities for movement and physical activity.
- Fine Motor Skills: Their fine motor skills are more refined, allowing them to engage in detailed projects and write more legibly. Incorporate activities that challenge these skills, such as art projects, science experiments, and hands-on learning. Something I have certainly noticed is that kids’ skills in these area has definitely worsened over the years. Many 4th graders struggle to do skill which were once quite simple such as folding a paper, coloring within margins, even tying shoelaces on occasion.
- Need for Activity: Incorporate plenty of physical activity into your day. Brain breaks, recess, and physical education are essential for helping them burn off energy and stay focused. Our students have 2 recess each day – a lunch recess and another grade level recess that is earned.
Future post: Here is a list of my favorite brain break and movement activities to do with my students.
Strategies for Success
Here are some strategies that have served me well over the years:
- Create a Safe and Supportive Environment: Ensure your classroom is a place where students feel safe, supported, and valued. Building strong relationships with your students is key to their success. I recommend doing morning meeting sharing and activities daily to help build a positive culture.
Here is a post about ways to build classroom community at the start of the year. - Differentiated Instruction: Recognize that each student is unique. Differentiate your instruction to meet the diverse needs of your students. Use a variety of teaching methods to cater to different learning styles.
- Encourage Independence: Fourth graders are ready to take on more responsibility. Encourage them to become independent learners by giving them choices and fostering a growth mindset. At this age the students should be packing and unpacking their own book bags in the evening. They should be picking out their own clothes and dressing appropriately for the weather. They should be able to bring papers to sign to a parent and return them to school. Is this the case for every 4th grader? Of course, no. But this should be a goal that you set with parents who will be partners in this growth process.
- Integrate Technology: Use technology to enhance learning. There are many educational apps and resources that can make learning more engaging and interactive.
Future post: Here is a list of the websites and application that I use frequently in the classroom. - Don’t just rely on technology. Make sure you are providing daily opportunities for students to experience real world learning. Students need to have multiple opportunities to listen to a story, to read aloud, to draw, to take notes, to work together with peers on the floor, to handle manipulatives, to speak, and to move around the room. Even as a huge advocate of the benefits of technology for learning, we know that too much technology can be detrimental for kids.
- Communicate with Parents: Maintain open lines of communication with parents. They are your partners in education and can provide valuable insights into their children’s needs and progress. Their child is at a transitional age where they are needing their parents a little less, and sometime this is a hard adjustment for the parents. Their little boy/girl that used to run and jump into their arms or sit in their lap, is now usually too big for that. Their child is also probably exhibiting their own increased independence by being more responsible and making their own choices (and sometimes mistakes).
Here is a free copy of a letter I send home with parents at open house or the first day of school.
Conclusion
Teaching 4th grade is an incredibly challenging and rewarding experience. You will have the opportunity to shape and inspire young minds at a crucial stage in their development. Embrace their energy, curiosity, and developing independence. With your guidance, they will not only learn academic skills but also grow as wonderful little humans. Welcome to the beautiful world of 9 and 10-year-olds!
Best of luck on this exciting journey,
