Grade 4 ELA Unit 2

Using Text Details to Determine Theme, Central Idea and Point of View

Unit description: Students will learn to determine theme by locating text details, evaluating viewpoints, and recognizing how the use of figurative language impacts a story. Students will create a fictional piece where they focus on developing a theme using sensory details and multiple viewpoints.

Download the complete Grade 4 ELA Unit 2 framework to customize for your own planning.

Essential Outcomes

Reading

4R1 Locate and refer to relevant details and evidence when explaining what a text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences.
4R2 Determine a theme or central idea of text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize a text.
4R4 Determine the meaning of words, phrases, figurative language, academic, and content-specific words.
4R6 In literary texts, compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations. (RL) In informational texts, compare and contrast a primary and secondary source on the same event or topic.

Reading Foundations – Phonics and Words Recognition and Fluency

4RF3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
4RF4 Read grade-level text with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Language

4L1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
4L2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
4L5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

Writing

4W4 Create a poem, story, play, artwork, or other response to a text, author, theme, or personal experience.
4W5 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to respond and support analysis, reflection, and research by applying the grade 4 Reading Standards.

Speaking and Listening

3SL1: Participate and engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse peers and adults, expressing ideas clearly, and building on those of others

All Standards Addressed in this Unit

4R1, 4R2, 4R3, 4R4, 4R5, 4R6,
4RF3, 4RF4
4L1, 4L2, 4L3, 4L4, 4L5, 4L6
4W4, 4W5
4SL1, 4SL5, 4SL6

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

Can story details help me to determine a theme of a story?
- Authors of literary texts include details that help readers determine the theme or central idea.
Why is it important to know what viewpoint a story or text is being told from?
- Readers recognize that there are some similarities and differences between first and third person point of view to help with comprehension.
- The POV impacts the depth of understanding of a book.
How can a reader determine the meaning of an unknown word?
- Readers actively seek the meaning of unknown words/phrases to clarify understanding of text.
Why do authors use figurative language in their writing?
- Using figurative language helps readers form mental images and draw readers into their work.

Prerequisite Skills

3R2 Determine a theme or central idea and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize portions of a text
3R6 Discuss how the reader’s point of view or perspective may differ from that of the author, narrator or characters in a text.
3L1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
3L4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
3W3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques,descriptive details, and clear event sequences