Grade 4 Language Arts — Term 1, Week 11

5 day-plan(s) · WeLearn JA LA T1M3

Grade 4 Language Arts · Term 1, Week 11 · 60 minutes

Objectives	(1) use a thesaurus; (2) select synonyms based on intensity/nuance; (3) replace weak verbs.
Materials	Thesauruses, weak verb worksheets.
Key vocabulary	synonym, antonym, nuance, intensity, thesaurus
Engage (starter)	(10 min) "Instead of 'ran', what is a word for running away from a bear? (sprinted/fled)"
Develop (main)	(35 min) Discuss nuance in synonyms. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for weak verbs (said, walked, looked). Rank them by intensity. Rewrite sentences using stronger verbs.
Plenary (close)	(10 min) Share improved sentences.
Assessment	Appropriate word choice based on context.
Teacher notes	Improves narrative writing.

Grade 4 Language Arts · Term 1, Week 11 · 60 minutes

Objectives	(1) identify prepositions; (2) identify the object of the preposition; (3) expand sentences.
Materials	Preposition list, whiteboards.
Key vocabulary	preposition, prepositional phrase, object
Engage (starter)	(10 min) "The bird flew... over the tree, under the bridge, through the window!"
Develop (main)	(35 min) Review prepositions. Teach that the phrase ends with a noun (the object). Analyze sentences on the board. Worksheet: add prepositional phrases to make sentences more descriptive.
Plenary (close)	(10 min) Share expanded sentences.
Assessment	Accurate identification and creation of phrases.
Teacher notes	Helps students add detail to writing.

Grade 4 Language Arts · Term 1, Week 11 · 60 minutes

Objectives	(1) distinguish between theme and main idea; (2) identify both in a fiction text; (3) write a summary.
Materials	Short narrative text, T-chart.
Key vocabulary	theme, main idea, moral, summary
Engage (starter)	(10 min) "Main idea is the brain (facts). Theme is the heart (lesson)."
Develop (main)	(35 min) Read story. Fill out a T-chart separating the Main Idea (plot summary) from the Theme (universal lesson). Write a paragraph explaining how the character's actions led to the theme.
Plenary (close)	(10 min) Discuss themes found.
Assessment	Accurate distinction between theme and main idea.
Teacher notes	A common area of confusion for 4th graders.

Grade 4 Language Arts · Term 1, Week 11 · 60 minutes

Objectives	(1) draft climax and resolution; (2) use dialogue to advance plot; (3) use correct quotation marks.
Materials	Drafts, dialogue rule chart.
Key vocabulary	climax, resolution, dialogue, quotation marks
Engage (starter)	(10 min) "Bring your story to its peak, and then let your characters talk it out!"
Develop (main)	(35 min) Review dialogue formatting. Model drafting the climax. Students finish drafting their narratives, ensuring they include at least two properly punctuated lines of dialogue.
Plenary (close)	(10 min) Read climax scenes aloud.
Assessment	Draft contains a clear resolution and correctly formatted dialogue.
Teacher notes	Focus on plot completion.

Grade 4 Language Arts · Term 1, Week 11 · 60 minutes

Objectives	(1) identify nuance; (2) locate prepositional phrases; (3) state the theme.
Materials	Review packets.
Key vocabulary	review
Engage (starter)	(10 min) Preposition scavenger hunt.
Develop (main)	(35 min) Complete review packet. Reading fluency practice.
Plenary (close)	(10 min) Review packet answers.
Assessment	Packet score.
Teacher notes	Check theme comprehension.