​The focus of our session was on building background knowledge—a key driver in improving student reading comprehension. To demonstrate this strategy effectively, I modeled the ReadWorks Article- A-Day™ routine.Using a fun topic about  our solar system. The paraprofessionals became “students,” learning facts while seeing firsthand how this approach can be engaging and efficient in under 10 minutes.

Reading comprehension can be strengthened by practicing with reading passages and books that are at or above grade level. Reflecting on the text and answering questions about what was read helps assess and enhance student understanding. Many ReadWorks passages include vocabulary activities and various question sets to support this crucial instructional practice. Learn more about how ReadWorks supports improved reading comprehension in a previous blog post.

Did you know that Title I schools can get a free, high-quality virtual PD session from ReadWorks? Don’t miss out--send us a quick email here to see if your grade team and/or school qualifies!

Written by: Tamika Reece, Educator Support Project Manager ​

For Veterans Day, engage students in a meaningful exploration of reading and art that honors our veterans’ service. Begin by sharing powerful, age-appropriate readings on the significance of Veterans Day, highlighting stories of bravery, resilience, and sacrifice. Follow this with a creative art project to make paper quilts for a Veteran from our expert museum content partner the International Quilt Museum.

Encourage students to express what they’ve learned through drawings, posters, or written reflections. This combination of reading and art allows students to connect personally with the holiday, fostering appreciation and understanding of those who have served – all while building background knowledge and growing their vocabulary and developing skills for reading comprehension. 

Access K-12 Veteran's Day reading passages 

Download this fun and meaningful activity from our partner, The International Quilt Museum 

Written by: ReadWorks 

Test your creativity by writing an alternate ending for this action-packed fiction series.

Follow Fatima Bennett and her two best friends, Julia and Felipe, as they storyboard, code, and program their new app for a gaming contest. Then all of a sudden, a yellow triangle with a black skull and crossbones flashes on everyone's screens. ​

Fourth grade reading comprehension focuses on developing students' ability to understand and interpret texts more deeply. At this level, children encounter more complex stories, informational texts, and literary elements such as character development and themes. The goal is to strengthen their ability to analyze, summarize, and draw inferences, while also building vocabulary and critical thinking skills that prepare them to become joyful and successful readers.

Reading Comprehension Strategies
ReadWorks offers a vast library of leveled reading passages, both fiction and nonfiction, tailored to various grade levels, including fourth grade. These passages are paired with comprehension questions, vocabulary exercises, and skill-building activities designed to build background knowledge and vocabulary, improve critical thinking and inference-making, and strengthen the understanding of key concepts. ReadWorks also integrates digital tools, such as audio versions and highlighting features, to enhance accessibility and engagement, helping students strengthen their comprehension.

The North Carolina State Board of Education has stated that students begin to understand and form opinions on the same subject through different lenses provided by various authors at about the fourth grade level.

In addition to this, ReadWorks offers 4th grade book studies that provide structured reading comprehension support through in-depth exploration of high-quality texts. These book studies focus on grade-appropriate, popular, and commonly taught books, with accompanying topical reading, discussion questions, and vocabulary exercises. Each study is designed to help students build a deeper understanding of literary elements like plot, character development, and themes, while also enhancing inferencing skills. By breaking down texts into manageable sections and topics, ReadWorks’ book studies help fourth graders engage with literature in a meaningful way, supporting their reading growth and academic success.

4th Grade Reading Worksheets
Easily print, digitally assign, or project these activities to work on individually, or as a small group or entire class. ReadWorks content is designed to align with educational standards and provides resources that support teachers by saving time, enhancing instruction, and making a bigger impact to help students grow as readers. Here are a few examples of what a printed question set worksheet may look like.
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