Usually age 9–10

Grade 4 in BC: what your child learns and what's open to them

23 contests and programs open to grade 4 students in British Columbia. You don't need to do all of them. Pick the ones that match what your child enjoys.

BC curriculum

What your child learns in Grade 4

A plain-language summary of the official BC curriculum for grade 4 math and English language arts.

Math

Working with numbers to 10 000: place value, comparing, ordering and estimating large amounts.
Comparing and ordering fractions with the same denominator, and learning decimals to hundredths and how they connect to fractions.
Adding and subtracting whole numbers to 10 000 and decimals to hundredths, using flexible strategies and estimates.
Building multiplication and division facts to 100, and multiplying and dividing two- or three-digit numbers by one-digit numbers.
Describing patterns using tables and charts, and solving one-step equations with a missing number using all four operations.
Telling time on analog and digital clocks, including a.m., p.m. and the 24-hour clock, plus finding perimeter, sorting polygons and exploring line symmetry.
Reading bar graphs where one symbol stands for a group, running simple probability experiments, and making change with amounts up to $100.

Reading, writing and speaking

Reading different forms of text, like stories, reports and explanations, and genres like fantasy, humour, adventure and biography.
Talking about theme, character, setting, plot, conflict and purpose, and using evidence from the text.
Using reading strategies like visualizing, questioning, predicting, summarizing and making inferences, plus using context clues and word parts for tricky words.
Noticing imagery, metaphors and similes.
Writing paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting details, using parts of speech, past, present and future tenses, and commas, quotation marks for dialogue and apostrophes.
Revising and editing their writing, and listening carefully, asking clarifying questions and sharing opinions.

Easy ways to help at home

Practise times tables through games like card multiplication war, rather than drills.
Ask your child to read the time on a kitchen clock or plan when to leave using the 24-hour time on a schedule.
Let your child handle small purchases and work out the change.
After a book or show, ask "what makes you think that?" to practise using evidence.
Measure the perimeter of a room, garden bed or table together.

little and often beats long and hard

What do Emerging, Developing, Proficient and Extending mean on the report card?

Emerging: Your child is beginning to understand something in an area of learning. They are still learning but may need more support to move ahead. Emerging doesn't mean your child is unsuccessful in this area.
Developing: Your child understands some things in an area of learning but still has other areas to work on. Like Emerging, it doesn't mean your child is unsuccessful in this area.
Proficient: Proficient is the goal for your child, and for all students. It means they fully understand the required learning. It doesn't mean their learning stops.
Extending: Your child shows a deeper understanding and can apply their learning in new and different ways. Extending is not the goal for all students in every area of learning.

Source: BC Ministry of Education and Child Care: K-12 Student Reporting, Information for Parents and Caregivers

Sources: BC Curriculum: Mathematics Grade 4 · BC Curriculum: English Language Arts Grade 4

Math

Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest

A fun, international multiple-choice math contest from Grade 1. Parents register directly, and the contest is written on a Sunday in March.

Grades 1–12$20 last year if registered by…Math

Canada Jay Mathematical Competition

A national 90-minute contest for students in Grade 8 and below, with a division for Grade 4 and under. Written in school on November 19, 2026.

Grades 4–8$12 per student Math

CEMC Problem of the Week

A new math problem every Thursday at five levels from Grades 3–4 to Grades 11–12, with the solution a week later. Sign up by email or read it online.

Grades 3–12No fee is listed

Coding

FIRST LEGO League (Explore and Challenge) in BC

Team LEGO robotics for ages 6–14. Teams must register with FIRST by October 31, 2026 to compete at BC qualifiers in January.

Grades 1–8Paid per team

Science

UBC Geering Up Saturday Clubs

Saturday morning science and engineering clubs at UBC for Grades 1–12, run in fall and winter sessions. Bursaries of up to 90% are available.

Grades 1–12$350 per session for elementary…

Language & reading

Spelling Bee of Canada

A national spelling bee for ages 6 to 14 with a British Columbia & Vancouver chapter. Registration for the 2027 program opens October 16, 2026.

Grades 1–9Fee for 2027 not posted yet Language & reading

BC Summer Reading Club

A free summer reading program at BC public libraries. Kids track their reading, collect stickers and earn a medal. Runs from about mid-June to August.

K–Grade 8Free Language & reading

DELF Prim and DELF Junior French Diplomas (Alliance Française Vancouver)

Official French-language diplomas recognized worldwide. Alliance Française Vancouver lists DELF Prim (ages 8–11) and DELF Junior (ages 12–17), but kids' exam dates aren't posted yet.

Grades 3–12Kids' exam fees not posted yet

Arts, music & chess

Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program Exams

Graded music and theory exams used across Canada. For the January 2027 practical exams, register by November 3, 2026.

K–Grade 12Fees depend on the subject and…Arts, music & chess

Vancouver Kiwanis Music Festival

Metro Vancouver's large music competition festival, with feedback from adjudicators. Solo registration runs November 2, 2026 to January 18, 2027.

K–Grade 12Entry fees vary by class Arts, music & chess

BC Youth Chess Championship and Canadian Youth Chess Championship

Rated chess tournaments for players under 18. Score 50% at a qualifier, such as the BC Youth Chess Championship, to play at the national CYCC each July.

K–Grade 12Varies by tournament