4th Grade Resources

Causes of the American Revolution: Taxes to Tea | Primary Source Investigation

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the causes of the American Revolution with this engaging multi-day Social Studies lesson for upper elementary students. Students investigate British taxation, the Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, Tea Act, and colonial resistance through informational texts, primary source analysis, and an interactive taxation simulation. Includes lesson plans, student note catchers, comprehension activities, historical documents, exit tickets, and answer keys. Integrates ELA and historical thinking skills.

4th - 7th Social Studies, U.S. History

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

Lexington and Concord | Shot Heard Round the World |The Revolutionary War Series | Grades 3, 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the Battles of Lexington and Concord in this engaging American Revolution lesson for upper elementary students. Through informational texts, close reading, and four primary source accounts, students investigate Paul Revere's Ride, compare historical perspectives, and debate who fired the first shot. Includes a collaborative jigsaw investigation, text-tagging activities, evidence charts, reading responses, exit tickets, and answer keys to support ELA and historical thinking skills.

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

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

Snowflake Bentley Picture Book + Primary Sources | Inquiry-Based | Grades 4-6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Bring Snowflake Bentley to life with this three-day Story to Source Investigation for Grades 4–6. Students connect the picture book to six primary and secondary sources, analyzing evidence to determine how accurately the story reflects history. Activities include close reading, collaborative expert groups, source analysis, and evidence-based writing. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, discussion prompts, exit tickets, synthesis activities, and bulletin board materials.

4th - 6th English Language Arts, Informational Text

French and Indian War |Seven Years War | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) in this four-lesson Social Studies mini-unit. Students investigate British, French, and Native American alliances, military strategy, geography, and the war's lasting consequences through informational texts, historical maps, political cartoons, and cause-and-effect analysis. Includes lesson plans, student note catchers, map activities, political cartoon analysis and creation, exit tickets, summative assessment, and answer keys.

4th - 7th Social Studies, Native Americans, U.S. History

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

Battle of Saratoga:Turning Point of the War | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the Battles of Saratoga (1777) and their significance as the turning point of the American Revolution in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies lesson. Students investigate Burgoyne's three-pronged attack, military strategy, and French support through informational texts, mapping, primary source artwork, and cause-and-effect activities. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, vocabulary activities, exit ticket assessment, video extensions, and answer keys.

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

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

Limerick Writing Lesson | Poetry | March & St. Patrick's Day | Grades 3, 4, 5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Introduce students to limerick poetry with this engaging, print-and-go writing lesson! Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, March, or any poetry unit, students explore rhyme, rhythm, syllable patterns, and the AABBA rhyme scheme before creating their own original limericks. Includes model poems, a step-by-step writing guide, an “Is It a Limerick?” identification activity, and student practice and writing pages. Great for whole-class lessons, literacy centers, or independent writing.

3rd - 6th English Language Arts, Poetry, Writing

The End of the Revolutionary War & The Impact of the Treaty of Paris | American Revolution Series | Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore the end of the American Revolution and the Treaty of Paris in this Grades 4–6 Social Studies lesson. Students investigate how the war ended, changing borders, and the treaty's effects on Indigenous and enslaved peoples through informational texts, close reading, historical map comparisons, and discussion. Includes a lesson plan, student activities, compare-and-contrast chart, two historical maps, and exit ticket assessment. Integrates ELA and historical thinking skills.

4th Grade Social Studies, U.S. History

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

Transportation Stages, Steamboats & Railroads | Westward Movement in New York State 4.6c

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore how transportation transformed New York State in this Grade 4 Social Studies mini-unit aligned with NYS Framework 4.6c. Students investigate stagecoaches, steamboats, and railroads, examining how faster travel connected communities and changed daily life. Activities include historical image analysis, gallery walks, informational texts, map comparisons, primary source investigations, and cause-and-effect writing. Includes an assessment, extension project, and answer keys.

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

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

Primary Source Documents: Observation vs. Inference, Reading a Photograph

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Build observation and inference skills with this engaging primary source photograph analysis lesson for upper elementary students! Students learn to distinguish what they see from what they infer, using photographic evidence to support their thinking. Includes a detailed lesson plan, vocabulary posters, guided modeling page, student practice with two historical photographs, and answer key. Perfect for introducing primary source analysis, critical thinking, and historical reasoning.

4th - 6th 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

Patriot or Loyalist? Two Points of View |American Revolutionary War Series| Grades 4, 5, 6

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

🇺🇸 Explore Patriot, Loyalist, and Neutral perspectives during the American Revolution in this engaging multi-day Social Studies lesson for Grades 4–6. Students investigate why colonists chose different sides through a classroom simulation, informational texts, primary source poems and songs, historical fiction, and evidence-based discussions. Includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, source analysis activities, vocabulary support, exit ticket 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

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

Plot Mountain Graphic Organizer

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Help students visualize story structure with this FREE Plot Mountain graphic organizer! Students identify and record the introduction, rising action, conflict, climax, falling action, and resolution of a story. Perfect for Grades 3–6 reading comprehension, literature circles, independent reading, and ELA lessons.

3rd - 6th English Language Arts, Reading Strategies, 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

The Government of New York State: Local Government | NYS Social Studies Framework 4.4c

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Explore local government in this Grade 4 NYS Social Studies resource aligned with Framework 4.4c. Across two lessons, students investigate county, city, town, and village governments, identify local leaders, and discover community services. Activities include NYS county mapping, informational texts, government organizers, and real-world service matching. Includes lesson plans, student activities, a study guide, local government assessment, and an answer key for the service activity.

4th Grade Social Studies, Government

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

Types of Conflict in Literature | Focus Unit | Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5

Created by
Uplifting Learning with Mrs. S-O

Teach types of conflict in literature with this 10-day ELA Focus Unit for Grades 3–5. Students explore protagonist and antagonist roles and four types of conflict: character vs. self, character, nature, and society. Using picture books as mentor texts, students analyze how conflict shapes plot and characters. Includes lesson plans, scenario sorting cards, task cards, student response pages, exit tickets, assessments, rubrics, and answer keys.

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

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