Using Text to Create Meaning
Students will learn to create meaning from informational and literary texts. While discussing informational writing, students will identify the overall structure of a text as well as provide evidence to support a claim. This will result in students crafting an informational piece from a research topic.
In the literary genre, readers will discuss plot and how story elements play a role in the resolution of a text.
Note: Each unit plan is generally taught over the course of one quarter of the school year. Lessons will vary in length, depending on the amount of time you have with students, the resources that you choose to accompany the unit, the level of rigor within each learning target, and any other factors that may contribute to the pacing of your learning progressions. It is recommended that you adjust the pace and length of each learning progression(s) accordingly in response to these factors.
These learning progressions were developed using Next Generation Learning Standards and were cross-walked with the Common Core Standards.
Download the complete Grade 4 ELA Unit 1 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.
- 4R3 In literary texts, describe a character, setting, or event, drawing on specific details in the text. (RL) In informational texts, explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts, including what happened and why, based on specific evidence from the text.
- 4W9 Recognize genres and make connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, personal events, and situations.
Reading Foundations – Phonics and Word 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
- 4L4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Writing
- 4W2 Write informative/explanatory texts to explore a topic and convey ideas and information relevant to the subject.
Speaking and Listening
- 4SL1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners, expressing ideas clearly, and building on those of others.
All Standards Addressed in this Unit
- 4R1, 4R3, 4R4, 4R5, 4R6, 4R7, 4R9
- 4RF3, 4RF4
- 4L1, 4L2, 4L3, 4L4, 4L6
- 4W2, 4W5, 4W6, 4W7
- 4SL1, 4SL2, 4SL4, 4SL5, 4SL6
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- How do strategic readers create meaning from informational and literary text?
- Readers use explicit and implicit details to make inferences and draw conclusions about the text.
- Readers ask and answer questions to clarify understanding of a text.
- Readers use their understanding of text features and point of view to help them understand.
- How does interaction with text provoke thinking and response?
- When making predictions and inference and asking questions of self while reading, helps the reader to engage in the text.
- Reading closely helps readers to share through discussion and writing what they have read.
- Why is it important to determine if a text is reliable?
- Readers make good judgments when picking texts to learn more about a topic.
- Understanding the source of a text can help determine if it is reliable.
- Reliable texts are research based and supported by data and evidence.
- How does structure change information or meaning?
- Text structures can support and enhance understanding.
- Text structures help to display information in a way that is easier to understand.
Download the complete Grade 4 ELA Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.