4th Grade Unit Planning Guide

Unit 1: Literary Text Elements

Number of Instructional days: 20 (1 Days=90 Minutes)

Overview
Students read a variety of narrative texts, short stories, poetry, plays, or novels, and will
describe with depth the story elements of character, setting, and events. Students use multiple
strategies to comprehend the meanings of words and phrases found within narratives. Students
write both short (a paragraph) and extended (3/4-1 page) responses to specific questions about
the text. In writing and in discussion, students form opinions about characters, settings or
events and use details from the text to support their opinions. Additionally, students write
narratives with an emphasis on developing story elements such as character, setting, and major
events. The narratives include a strong introduction, sequence of events, and conclusion. In all
writing assignments, students use correct capitalization, spell grade appropriate words correctly,
and revise sentences for fragments and run-ons.

Students read a variety of narrative texts in whole group, small group, and independently to
look closely and describe in-depth the story elements. A teacher could allow students choice of
text to read independently or in small group. The teacher provides opportunities for students to
discuss texts within whole group or small group settings while referring to details from text.
Teachers might use a writing workshop model with mini-lessons to teach students strategies/
techniques to develop character, setting, or events in their writing. Teachers could identify the
opinion of a character in a text and ask students to provide reasons to support the opinion by
using evidence provided in the text.

This is the first unit of the school year because it builds on the students third grade skills and
provides a foundation of learning for all other narrative units. In unit 4 students will determine
the theme of a narrative, which will require the ability to analyze story elements.

As with all units aligned to the Common Core State Standards, students should read texts within
the appropriate range of complexity. Students should have the opportunity to read texts that
they can read fluently as well as texts that are challenging for them with support from the
instructor. Additionally, students should focus on close readings and supporting their ideas in
reading, writing, and discussion with evidence from the texts they read.

Goal/Standard(s):
Reading Standards: Literature
Key Ideas and Details
RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the
text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or
drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a characters
thoughts, words, or actions).
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas