Using Reasons and Evidence to Support a Claim
Students will identify and analyze arguments from multiple texts by locating supporting evidence. Students will synthesize multiple viewpoints of the same topic to communicate their argument. Students will create an argumentative piece with a clear claim and relevant supporting evidence.
Essential Outcomes of the Unit
Reading
- 4R1. Locate and refer to relevant details and evidence when explaining what a text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences.
- 4R8. Explain how claims in a text are supported by relevant reasons and evidence.
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
- 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.
Writing
- 4W1. Write an argument to support claim(s), using clear reasons and relevant evidence.
- 4W5. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 4.)
Speaking and Listening
- 4SL3. Identify and evaluate the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points.
All Standards Addressed in this Unit
- 4R1, 4R4, 4R5, 4R7, 4R8
- 4RF3, 4RF4
- 4L1, 4L2, 4L3, 4L4, 4L5, 4L6
- 4W1, 4W5, 4W7
- 4SL1, 4SL2, 4SL3, 4SL6
Essential Questions and Big Ideas
- Why is it important to make and support a strong claim?
- We make claims all the time in life; it’s important to provide valid support for your argument.
- Authors make claims in their writing; good readers identify them and determine if they are valid by looking at the relevancy of their evidence.
- Good writers create their own claims and choose multiple pieces of relevant evidence to support them from different sources.
- How can I use information from two or more texts to draft my own claim on a topic?
- Good readers utilize multiple sources to consider various perspectives or view points about a topic.
- Readers and writers synthesize claims from multiple sources to create their own argument on a topic .
- Readers and writers must determine the most relevant evidence from each source to support their original claim on a topic.
Download the complete Grade 4 ELA Unit 3 framework to customize for your own planning.