4th Grade Hands-On Activities

Working with Primary Source Documents: Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Introduce primary and secondary sources with this engaging social studies lesson for Grades 3–5! Students learn to identify and distinguish historical sources through clear definitions, real-world examples, guided notes, and a hands-on sorting activity. Includes vocabulary posters, student note sheet, sorting mat, answer key, and exit ticket. Perfect for whole-class instruction, small groups, centers, or review. Aligned with NYS Social Studies Practice A2.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies

Working with Primary Source Documents | Types of Primary Sources

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Introduce students in Grades 3–6 to primary source documents with this engaging social studies lesson! Students explore 11 common types of historical sources, including census records, vital records, letters, newspapers, photographs, maps, military records, and more. Each source page features an image and student-friendly explanation. Includes 11 informational pages and a matching review activity to reinforce understanding and build essential historical inquiry skills.

4th - 6th Social Studies

Primary Source Document Analysis Lesson: A First Go

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Introduce primary source document analysis with this scaffolded social studies lesson for Grades 3–5! Students learn to think like historians as they observe, infer, and interpret historical evidence while considering a document's purpose, audience, and context. Includes two authentic primary source documents with transcriptions, a document analysis worksheet, completed answer keys, and vocabulary posters. Perfect for building historical inquiry and critical thinking skills.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies

Boston Massacre Primary Source Investigation | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Investigate the Boston Massacre in this engaging American Revolution lesson for Grades 4–6. Students explore colonial resistance, analyze Paul Revere's engraving and historical newspapers, compare perspectives, and examine how propaganda influenced public opinion. Includes informational texts, primary source analysis, a collaborative jigsaw investigation, graphic organizers, vocabulary support, discussion prompts, evidence-based writing assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th Informational Text, Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Seasonal Winter Writing & Craft Projects | Winter Bulletin Board | Grades 3-5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Bring winter creativity to your Grades 3–5 classroom with Snow Globe Adventure, a narrative writing and craft project! Students imagine themselves inside a snow globe, plan and write a first-person story, and create a 3D snow globe display. This resource guides students through brainstorming, drafting, editing, and publishing while developing plot, dialogue, and sensory details. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, writing pages, craft directions, editing checklist, and rubric.

3rd - 5th Other (Arts), Creative Writing, Writing

Federal Government: Three Branches, The President, Congress and Courts | NYS Social Studies Framework 4.4a

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the federal government in this Grade 4 Social Studies unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.4a. Across four lessons, students investigate the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including the roles of the President, Congress, and Supreme Court. Activities include informational texts, graphic organizers, interactive sorting tasks, and civic discussions. Includes lesson plans, student activities, exit tickets, study guide, summative assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 5th Social Studies, Government, U.S. History

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

Government of New York State: Citizens' Rights and Responsibilities | NYS 4.4d&e

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Government of New York State: Citizens' Rights and Responsibilities | New York State Social Studies Framework 4.4d&e . This lesson provides students with a structured introduction to citizens’ rights and responsibilities within New York State government, aligned to the New York State Social Stud

4th Grade Civics, Government

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

New York State Government Bundle | New York State Social Studies Framework 4.4

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Teach New York State government with this complete Grade 4 Social Studies bundle aligned with NYS Framework 4.4. Students explore local, state, and national government, the three branches, elected officials, citizens' rights and responsibilities, and how laws are made. Includes informational texts, infographics, sorting activities, graphic organizers, exit tickets, and answer keys. A full unit summative assessment with key and student packet covers are included FREE.

4th Grade Government, U.S. History

Explorers to New York: Verrazzano, Champlain & Hudson | NYS SS Framework 4.3a

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the Age of Exploration and the journeys of Verrazzano, Champlain, and Hudson in this Grade 4 NYS Social Studies unit aligned with Framework 4.3a. Students investigate reasons for European exploration, analyze primary sources, map exploration routes, and compare explorers. Includes informational texts, engaging activities, assessments, and answer keys for easy classroom use.

4th Grade Social Studies, U.S. History

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

Fall Descriptive Narrative Writing & Craft | Figurative Language | Grades 3-6 | Fabulous Fall Characters

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🍂 Bring fall creativity into your Grades 3–5 classroom with this descriptive and narrative writing project! Students create unique fall-themed characters, develop vivid descriptions, and practice adjectives, adverbs, and figurative language through engaging writing activities. Includes a character craft template, graphic organizers, writing pages, figurative language practice, a speaking and listening activity, and an assessment rubric. Perfect for a fall bulletin board display!

3rd - 6th Creative Writing, Writing

Dynamic Characters: Character Transformation in Literature | Focus Unit| 3, 4, 5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore character development and transformation in literature with this Grades 3–5 ELA Focus Unit. Students investigate internal and external changes, dynamic and static characters, and how characters evolve through picture book read-alouds, discussion, and evidence-based writing. Includes multi-day lesson plans, vocabulary posters, differentiated response pages, comparison activities, matching cards, summative assessment, and answer key.

3rd - 5th English Language Arts, Close Reading, Reading

Sarah Hale | Persuasive Writing | Thanksgiving | Primary Source Connection| Grades 3-5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore Sarah Josepha Hale's campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in this engaging three-day writing mini-unit for Grades 3–5. Part of the Story to Source Investigations series, students connect a picture book to historical primary sources while practicing close reading, critical thinking, and persuasive writing. Includes lesson plans, primary source analysis, graphic organizers, writing activities, student publishing materials, and bulletin board display options.

3rd - 6th Informational Text, Writing Essays

December Writing | December Craft | SEL Activity | SEL Bulletin Board | Holidays | Grades 3-5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🕯️ Celebrate kindness and the theme of light in winter holidays with this Grades 3–6 SEL writing and craft activity. Students reflect on how they can "be a light in the world" through acts of kindness, then write a meaningful paragraph and create a candle craft for a winter bulletin board. Includes brainstorming pages, writing templates, differentiated supports, candle craft pieces, display signs, and a writing rubric. Perfect for December writing and classroom community building!

3rd - 6th Writing

Importance of New York in the American Revolution | NY SS Framework 4.3d

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

The Importance of New York in the American Revolutionary War, New York Social Studies Framework 4.3d. This comprehensive Grade 4 Social Studies and ELA lesson examines why New York’s geographic location and physical features made it strategically vital during the American Revolution. Aligned to NYS

4th Grade U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Communication | Westward Movement in New York State | NYS Social Studies Framework 4.6c

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore how communication changed life in New York State in this Grade 4 Social Studies lesson aligned with NYS Framework 4.6c. Students investigate the telegraph, Morse code, radio, and modern communication through a primary source gallery walk, informational texts, timelines, and cause-and-effect activities. Includes Morse code decoding and message creation, an old-time radio listening activity, student recording pages, a writing assessment, and answer keys.

4th Grade U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

Industrialization: New York State Entrepreneurs & Inventors | New York State Social Studies Framework 4.6e

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore New York State entrepreneurs and inventors in this Grade 4 research project aligned with NYS Framework 4.6e and ELA standards. Students research influential innovators, practice informational writing, and create a 3D "Corner on History" display to share their findings. Includes an introductory mini-lesson, vocabulary, differentiated research pages, project templates, assembly instructions, and bulletin board display materials.

4th Grade U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

New York State Industrialization and Manufacturing| NYS Social Studies Framework 4.6f&g

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore manufacturing and industrialization in New York State with this three-lesson Grade 4 Social Studies unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.6f and 4.6g. Students investigate the shift from craftsmanship to factory production, assembly lines, and regional economic activity through informational texts, authentic data, and inquiry activities. Includes a human timeline, hands-on assembly line simulation, maps, printable cards, data tables, exit tickets, and answer keys.

4th Grade Economics, U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: New York State Social Studies Grade 4 FULL YEAR Mega Bundle | NYS 4th Grade Framework

Indigenous People and the American Revolution | Primary Sources | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the impact of the American Revolution on Indigenous peoples in New York in this Grade 4 Social Studies lesson aligned with NYS Framework 4.3d. Students investigate divisions within the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Indigenous alliances, Joseph Brant's leadership, and the Battle of Oriskany through informational texts, primary source analysis, historical maps, and evidence-based writing. Includes student activities, note catchers, vocabulary support, assessments, and answer keys.

4th - 6th U.S. History

Also included in: The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

The American Revolutionary War Bundle|Primary Source Investigations | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Teach the American Revolution with this comprehensive Grades 4–6 Social Studies bundle featuring 16 inquiry-based lessons from the French and Indian War through the Treaty of Paris. Students investigate key events, historical figures, and diverse perspectives through primary source analysis, informational texts, maps, artwork, and evidence-based writing. Includes historical investigations, discussion activities, and ELA integration.

4th - 6th U.S. History

U.S.A. Founding Documents Unit | United States Founding | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🏛️Explore the foundations of American government in this seven-lesson civics unit for upper elementary students. Students investigate the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Great Compromise, Preamble, and Bill of Rights through informational texts, discussions, and critical thinking activities. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, card sorts, review activities, exit tickets, study guide, unit assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 6th U.S. History

September Grade 4 Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment| The New York Daily | SS & ELA Integrated

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Make September morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore Labor Day, New York geography, Niagara Falls, New Netherland, Constitution Day, notable New Yorkers, and historical events through informational texts, primary sources, maps, graphs, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable activities for independent practice.

4th - 5th U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment Bundle | September October November| The New York Daily |SS & ELA Integrated

October 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment | ELA/Social Studies Integrated | The New York Daily

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Make October morning work meaningful with The New York Daily! This Grade 4 resource includes 20 no-prep NYS Social Studies and ELA activities for bell ringers, early finishers, enrichment, and centers. Students explore fall foliage, Halloween history, New York inventions, Indigenous history, geography, and historic events through informational texts, primary sources, maps, graphs, and critical thinking tasks. Includes 20 printable activities for independent practice.

4th - 5th Other (ELA), U.S. History, Other (Social Studies)

Also included in: 4th Grade Morning Work/Bell Ringer/Enrichment Bundle | September October November| The New York Daily |SS & ELA Integrated

Crack the Code Math Vocabulary Activity Pack | 6 Activities for 4.OA Review

Created by
Unlocking Potential Educational Services,LLC

Make reviewing Operations & Algebraic Thinking (4.OA) vocabulary engaging and fun with this Crack the Code Math Vocabulary Activity Pack! Designed for grades 3–5, this set of six different activities helps students learn key 4.OA terms.What’s Included: 6 ready-to-use math vocabulary activities:W

3rd - 5th Basic Operations, Math Test Prep, Other (Math)

Multi-Digit Addition without Regrouping Word Problem Task Cards - Grades 2 and 3

Created by
Unlocking Potential Educational Services,LLC

Tired of searching for word problem task cards that actually meet your students where they are? This multi-digit addition without regrouping resource is designed for 2nd and 3rd graders and is perfect for math centers, partner work, and hands-on practice.📋 What's Included:4 sets of task cards (2-di...

2nd - 4th Basic Operations, Math Test Prep

Also included in: 2nd & 3rd Grade Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction Task Card Bundle | CRA