The ideal length of a short story for a fourth grader is roughly 800 to 1500 words. It depends on the complexity of the plot and the reading level of the students. Shorter stories can be great for younger or less confident readers, while longer ones can challenge and engage more advanced ones.
For a fourth grader, a good length for a short story is between 700 and 1200 words. This gives enough space to tell a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end, but not so long that it becomes overwhelming.