Parents usually ask this question for one of two reasons. Either they suspect their child is behind, or they want to know what to practise at home. Here is a practical picture of the middle primary years, without the jargon.
Grade 3, ages 8 to 9
Grade 3 is a turning point. Multiplication, division and fractions all arrive, and reading shifts from decoding to comprehension.
- Multiplication and division within 100
- An introduction to fractions and equivalence
- Area, perimeter and telling time to the minute
- Reading multi paragraph texts and answering about them
Grade 4, ages 9 to 10
Grade 4 asks for independence. Children are expected to explain their reasoning rather than just give an answer.
- Multi digit multiplication and long division
- Fractions and decimals, and comparing quantities
- Structured paragraph writing
- Reading longer texts independently
- A noticeable jump in vocabulary demands across every subject
Grade 5, ages 10 to 11
Grade 5 is the bridge to middle school.
- Operations with fractions and decimals
- Volume, coordinate planes and order of operations
- Academic vocabulary used across subjects
- Extended reading comprehension
If your child seems behind
The cause is usually a gap one or two years earlier rather than the current topic. Fractions are the most common example. Go back, fill the gap, and the current work often resolves itself. This is not a step backwards, it is the fastest route forwards.
How much practice is enough
Fifteen to twenty minutes a few times a week is plenty at this age. Consistency matters far more than volume.
Practise at the right level
See exactly what is covered at each stage on our grade pages for Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5, or download a free sample pack and test the level before buying.