NYS English Language Arts
Grade 4 Common Core Standards
FIRST EDITION
Prefixes
Prefix is a group of letters attached to the
beginning of a word. A prefix changes the
meaning of a root word to make a new word.
Example:
Unfriendly
Prefix
Root
Un
friendly
Prefixes
Over
Meaning
too much, too long
Re
again
Suffixes
Suffix is a group of letters attached to the
ending of a word. A suffix changes the meaning
of a root word to make a new word.
Example:
Friendly
Root
Suffix
Friend
ly
Suffixes
-able
Meaning
able to
-er
one who does something
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
1
Direction- Answer the following questions using the
Prefix table.
1. The word Overact means
A. To act normal
C. To exaggerate in acting
B. To act shy
D. lack of acting
2. The word Recreate means
A. To make something
C. To break again
B. To destroy
D. To make again
Direction- Answer the following questions using the
Suffix table.
3. The word flexible means
A. Not able to bend or stretch B. Very stiff
C. Able to break
D. Able to bend
4. The word Writer means
A. Someone who cannot write
C. Someone who writes
B. Author
D. Not wrong
Direction- On a separate sheet of paper, list 2
words with the prefixes in and un. Also, list 2 words
with suffixes less and er. Then, write a complete
sentence using the words you listed.
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
2
Figurative Language
Authors use words in different ways to
help you picture or feel what is happening.
Simile- compares two things that are very
different using the words like or as.
Example- Jane’s smile is as bright as the
sun.
Metaphor- compares two things that are very
different without using the words like or as
Example- Her eyes are jewels sparkling
in the sun.
Direction- Create a metaphor by describing the
following list of objects.
Heart
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Rose
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Teeth
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
3
Idiom- is a phrase that has a meaning that is
different from the meaning of the words in the
phrase. Example- Jane was sick as a dog
The words or phrases are used in a way where
the literal meaning of the words are not true or
absurd, such as in the example above.
Directions- Read the following idioms in context
and try to figure out what they mean.
1. He said it is a difficult problem, but I don't
agree. It seems as easy as pie to me!
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
2. That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
3. The boy was all ears when the teacher
described the circus.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
4. The woman always makes her guests feel at home.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
4
Onomatopoeia-These are words that are created
to imitate sounds or noises of the actions or items
they name. In essence, these words put sound to
language.
Example- The little black cat hissed
when Jane stepped on her tail.
Direction- List 2 onomatopoeias and write a
complete sentence for each word.
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
5
Genre
A type or category of book.
Fables- are short tales that teaches a life lesson
and often includes animals as the main character.
Folktales- are stories passed down through
generations, mainly by re-telling.
Directions – Create your own fable or folktale
and explain the lesson behind your story. (You
will need to continue on a separate sheet of
paper)
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
6
Compare and Contrast
Comparing means to note what is
similar or alike. Contrasting means to note what
is different or not the same.
Below is a Venn Diagram. It is a comparing
and contrasting chart. On the outside, you write
the different ideas, and in the middle you write
the similarities.
Apple
Orange
Can eat the skin
Have to peel the
Red, yellow green
skin off
color
Fruit
Orange color
Less seeds
Grows on tree More seeds
Direction- On a separate sheet of paper, draw a
Venn diagram to compare and contrast two ideas
from the reading.
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
7
Match each word to the correct definition.
________cancel; to do away or put an end to
________ridiculous, unreasonable, foolish
________a sharp hooked claw of a bird
________a remark made to make fun, provoke or insult someone
________to break off, separate, divide into parts
________to walk in a relaxed manner; to stroll
________to maintain something by helping it stay in its original form
________the leading figure or main character
________to surprise or amaze
________turn to stone; to frighten someone to the extent that he/she
is stunned or paralyzed
________being careful about money; frugal
a. astound
b. Preserve
c. taunt
d. talon
e. protagonist
f.saunter
g. absurd
h. petrify
i. abolish
j. sever
k.thrifty
4th Grade English Language Arts Level 1
8