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Name ____________________________________________________________

Grade 4 Reading Unit #1:

Belonging

In this unit, you will interact with a variety of characters to explore

feelings of loneliness, acceptance and change. You will look at

author’s choices and how they impact the meaning of the text.

Learning Targets:

I can use draw on specific details in the text to support my

ideas

I can read closely to gain new understanding about

characters, setting, and events

I can describe story elements (character, setting, events)

including inferences and specific details.

Unit Texts

Title Author

Text 1 One Green Apple Eve Bunting

Text 2 Because of Winn Dixie

Kate DiCamillo

Text 3 Stray from Every Living Thing

Cynthia Rylant

Text 4 Life Doesn’t Frighten Me Maya Angelou

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TEXT 1: One Green Apple

Lessons 1 and 2- Describing Characters and Setting across the text.

Use the graphic organizer below to describe the characters and

setting in the text and collect evidence that supports your thinking.

Character

Across the Text

Setting

Across the text

Who is the

character? What is the

setting?

How is the

character feeling?

Details from the

text that show

how the author

describes the

setting

How do you know? Pull some evidence

from the text! (Thoughts, words, actions)

How does the

setting impact the

story?

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How is Farah changing throughout the text?

What is she like:

At the Beginning In the Middle At the End

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WRITE (PRE-ASSESSMENT)

How does Farah change from the beginning of the text to the end?

Include details about how specific events, actions, or other story

elements contributed to the change.

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Lesson 3- Because of Winn Dixie- chapters 1-3

Word Bank

produce (fruits and vegetables) missionary

pound (shelter) nudge

preacher

Below, analyze key story events. Use words and phrases from the

text when describing the characters words, thoughts and feelings.

Use examples from the text when describing how the setting impacts

the characters.

Event Reason this

event is

important

Reactions:

What does the

character

think, say or

feel as a result

of this event?

Why is this

particular

setting

important to

the story?

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QUICK WRITE

Pick a character from the text. Describe how the character’s feelings

change across the text. Be sure to include specific details from the

text that explain why the character’s feelings are changing.

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Lesson 4- Chapters 4-6

7

Word Bank

constellation

potluck supper

retriever

memorial

Below, analyze key story events. Use words and phrases from the

text when describing the characters words, thoughts and feelings.

Use examples from the text when describing how the setting impacts

the characters.

Character Actions What does the

character think,

say or feel?

Trait Word that

describes the

character

New

understanding

What do we now

know about the

character?

Evidence

from the text

Opal claims

Winn Dixie as

her dog at the

grocery store

QUICK WRITE

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How do the 10 things the Preacher told Opal about her mother affect her

thoughts and actions?

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Lesson 5- Character Motivation

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Consider how the character’s words, behaviors, and thoughts reveal

their motivation and identify any obstacles that are getting in the

character’s way.

Character Motivation and Obstacles

Character

Motivation

What does the

character want?

Obstacles

What is in the

character’s way of

getting what he/she

wants?

Opal

Preacher

Winn Dixie

Ms. Franny

Gloria Dump

Otis

Lesson 6

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Chapters 7-10

Word Bank

Palmetto Tree peculiar furious

identical installment snuffle

trustworthy

Below, analyze key story events from chapters 7-10. Use words and

phrases from the text when describing the characters words,

thoughts and feelings. Use examples from the text when describing

how the setting impacts the characters.

Event

Character

Reactions

What does the

character think,

say or feel?

What does this

reveal about the

character?

Lesson 7: Mini Lesson – Character study across text

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Study a character’s development across a text by identifying a turning

point (or points) in the story and asking: What is causing this change?

Name of Character: ___________________________

Turning point in story Change in character Cause of the change?

Example or quote from text supporting your answer

QUICK WRITE

Explain how Winn Dixie has changed Opal's life for the

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better. Support your ideas using evidence from the text.

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Lesson 8: Chapters 11-12

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Word Bank

whining barreling panting

Below, analyze key story events from chapters 11-12. Use words and

phrases from the text when describing the characters words,

thoughts and feelings. Use examples from the text when describing

how the setting impacts the characters.

Event Character Reactions: What does

the character

think, say or

feel?

What does

this reveal

about the

character?

How does

the setting

impact the

characters?

QUICK WRITE

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How has Opal changed from the beginning of the story?

What character traits are the same; which ones are

different?

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Lessons 9-12

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Chapters 13-14 Close Reading

Word Bank

cooped up retarded ignorant

imitated clanking

When I read closely, I…

Read with my pencil in hand, marking up the text as I go

Read the text multiple times, each time with a new purpose

Read, write, and talk about the text… a lot!

Phase 1 – "what does the text say?"

Stop and Jot:

What are some key details in chapters 13 and 14 that tell you more about:

Ch. 13 Ch. 14

Opal

Gloria

Second Read: Phase 2

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In chapter 14 we learn about Gloria’s past. Reread that part.

Phase 2- How does the text work?

Lens: Author's Craft

Why did the author include the information about Gloria's past? How does this affect Opal? What does Opal learn as a result of knowing about Gloria's past?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Third Read: Phase 3 -

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Phase 3- What does the text mean?

New understanding.

How do the events in chapters 13 and 14 deepen your understanding of Opal and Gloria and the relationship between them?

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Lesson 12: Detailed Character Analysis

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Written Response

Choose either Opal or Gloria. Explain how and why the character

behaves, acts, thinks, speaks, feels as they do in various parts of the

text. Use details from the text and ideas from the three phases of

close reading in your response.

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Lesson 13

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Mini Lesson: Analyze the setting across a text by pausing at various

points and asking: What is the physical setting? How does that connect

to the characters’ feelings at this point? The reader’s feelings?

What is the physical setting?

How does that connect to the characters’ feelings at this point?

How does that setting connect to the readers feeling at this point?

Lesson 14

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Chapters 15-17

Word Bank

slavery enlisted Yankees orphan

How do the story elements change across the text?

Changes in the setting

Changes in the characters

Major Events (problem / solution)

QUICK WRITE

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Why do you think the author included the story about Littmus?

Use details to support your answer.

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Lesson 15-16

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Chapter 18 – Close Read

Word Bank

drowned pinched-faced

When I read closely, I…

Read with my pencil in hand, marking up the text as I go

Read the text multiple times, each time with a new purpose

Read, write, and talk about the text… a lot!

Phase 1- What the Text Says…

Reading for the Gist

Key Events in Chapter 18 How does this event affect the characters? What new learning or understanding do we have about the characters?

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Phase 2- How does the text work?

Lens: Authors Craft

What does the lozenge reveal about each characters life?

Character What the lozenge reveals

Third Read: Phase 3 -

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Phase 3- What does the text mean?

New understanding.

Written Response

How do the litmus lozenge events affect the way Opal sees other characters in the story? Use details from the text and ideas from the three phases of close reading in your response.

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Lesson 17

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Chapters 19-21

Word Bank

burglar hem aching

How do secondary characters impact Opal?

Character

Impact on Opal

Lesson 18

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Chapters 22-26

Word Bank

shuffled silk bless memorized

myth snuffled hymns

How do secondary characters impact Opal?

Character

Impact on Opal

Lessons 19-23 “Stray" - Close Read

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When I read closely, I…

Read with my pencil in hand, marking up the text as I go

Read the text multiple times, each time with a new purpose

Read, write, and talk about the text… a lot!

Phase 1- What the Text Says…

Reading for the Gist

Key Events in “Stray” How does this event affect the characters? What new learning or understanding do we have about the characters?

Phase 2- How does the text work?

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Lens: Authors Craft

QUICK WRITE:

Describe Mr. Lacy. What words does the author use to describe him? How do these strong words help you understand the kind of person Mr. Lacy is?

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Third Read: Phase 3 - Final Task

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Phase 3- What does the text mean?

New understanding.

Written Response

How does the author’s choice of setting help the main character solve her problem? Do you think the outcome would have been the same with a different setting?

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Final Task

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We have spent the last few weeks thinking deeply and growing

ideas about characters. As readers, we have described character

feelings and motivations and how the setting can affect these. We

have analyzed the choices characters make to overcome their

obstacles, feelings of loneliness and belonging, and character

change. All of this work has prepared you for this final task.

Explain how Mr. Lacey’s character develops over the course of the

text Stray. Use evidence from the text to support your ideas about his

character changes.

What do you know about the character Mr. Lacey?

How does his character develop over the course of the text?

Include details about how specific events, actions, or other

story elements contribute to his development.

Mini lesson 1- Topic sentence

Draft 2 possible topic sentences to use for this task.

1.___________________________________

____________________________________

___________________________________

2.___________________________________

____________________________________

____________________________________ Mini lesson 2- Strong introduction and conclusion

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Use the graphic organizer to find examples in the text to use to

support your ideas about Mr. Lacey to make a strong introduction

and conclusion. Be sure to elaborate and be specific.

Introduction Conclusion

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FINAL TASK

After reading Stray, by Cynthia Rylant, write an essay that explains

how Mr. Lacey’s character develops over the course of the text. Use

evidence from the text to support your ideas about his character

changes.

What do you know about the character Mr. Lacey?

How does his character develop over the course of the text?

Include details about how specific events, actions, or other story

elements contribute to his development.

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