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ELA G4:M2:U1

Building Background Knowledge: Animal Defenses and the Research Process

Each unit is made up of a sequence of between 5-20 lessons. The “unit at a glance” chart in the curriculum map breaks down each unit into its lessons, to show how the curriculum is organized in terms of standards address, supporting targets, ongoing assessment, and protocols. It also indicates which lessons include the mid-unit and end-of-unit assessments.

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Lesson 1Building Background Knowledge: What are Animal Defense Mechanisms?
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening  

A. Discovering Our Topic: Poster Walk (20 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time  

A. Preparing to Research (10 minutes)

B. KWEL Chart: Animal Defense Mechanisms (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Launching Independent Reading (15 minutes)

4. Homework  

 A.Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can infer about animal defense mechanisms based on information in pictures and text. (RI.4.1)
  • I can support my inferences with details and examples from pictures and texts. (RI.4.1)
  • Observations during Poster Walk (SL.4.1)
  • Participation during unpacking of guiding questions (SL.4.1)
  • KWEL Chart: Animal Defense Mechanisms (RI.4.1)

Lesson 2Building Background Knowledge: Launching Research of Animal Defense Mechanisms
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening  

A.Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

B. Beginning the Research Process: What Does It Mean to Research? (15 minutes)

2. Work Time  

A. Reading Aloud and Paraphrasing Venom (15 minutes)

B. Reading for Gist: Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses (10 minutes)

C. A Closer Look at Words: Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment  

A. Introducing the Word Wall (5 minutes)

4. Homework  

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can paraphrase information presented in a read-aloud on animal defense mechanisms. (W.4.8, SL.4.2)
  • I can find the gist and the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary from an excerpt from Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses. (RI.4.4, L.4.4) 
  • Listening Closely note-catcher (W.4.8, SL.4.2)
  • Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses Chapter 1: Gist chart (RI.4.4, L.4.4) 

Lesson 3A Closer Read for Main Ideas: Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses Chapter 1
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening 

A. Reviewing Learning Targets and Engaging the Reader: Reading Aloud and Paraphrasing Venom (10 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. Close Read: “Lying Low” (30 minutes)

B. Reading for the Gist: Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. Debrief: Creating a Determining the Main Idea Anchor Chart (10 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can paraphrase information presented in a read-aloud on animal defense mechanisms. (W.4.8, SL.4.2)
  • I can determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details. (RI.4.1, RI.4.2)
  • Listening Closely note-catcher (W.4.8, SL.4.2)
  • Close Read Questions: "Lying Low" (RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.4, RI.4.8, W.4.7, W.4.8, L.4.4)
  • Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses: Expert Group Gist chart (RI.4.4, L.4.4)

Lesson 4Reading Scientific Text: Building Expertise on Animal Defense Mechanisms

Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Reader: Reading Aloud and Paraphrasing Venom (5 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. Close Read: “A Life in Hiding” (20 minutes)

B. Rereading an Informational Text: Determining the Main Idea (15 minutes)

C. A Closer Look at Words: Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. KWEL: Animal Defense Mechanisms (5 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Vocabulary Work from your homework resources for this unit.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can paraphrase information presented in a read-aloud on animal defense mechanisms. (W.4.8, SL.4.2)
  • I can determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details. (RI.4.2)
  • Listening Closely note-catcher (W.4.8, SL.4.2)
  • Close Read Questions: "A Life in Hiding" (RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.4, RI.4.8, W.4.7, W.4.8, L.4.4)
  • Determining the Main Idea note-catcher (RI.4.2)

Lesson 5Reading Scientific Text: Reading Closely about Animal Defense Mechanisms
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Reader: Movement Words (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Rereading an Informational Text: Identifying Supporting Details (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Share and Debrief (20 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Vocabulary Work from your homework resources for this unit.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can identify details that support the main idea of a section of Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses. (RI.4.2)
  • I can paraphrase and take notes on information presented by my peers. (SL.4.1, SL.4.2)
  • Movement Words note-catcher (RI.4.4, L.4.4)
  • Determining the Main Idea note-catcher (RI.4.2)
  • Observation of participation during peer share (SL.4.1, SL.4.2)

Lesson 6Mid-Unit 1 Assessment: Reading and Researching Animal Defense Mechanisms
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. Mid-Unit 1 Assessment, Part I: Watching and Paraphrasing a Video(15 minutes)

B. Mid-Unit 1 Assessment, Part II: Reading and Answering Questions about Animal Defense Mechanisms (20 minutes)

C. Research Reading Share (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. Tracking Progress (10 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Vocabulary Work from your homework resources for this unit.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can paraphrase information presented in a video on animal defense mechanisms. (SL.4.2)
  • I can determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details. (RI.4.1, RI.4.2)
  • I can find the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. (RI.4.4, L.4.4a, L.4.4c)
  • Mid-Unit 1 Assessment (RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.4, RI.4.10, SL.4.2, L.4.4a, L.4.4c)
  • Tracking Progress: Reading, Understanding and Explaining New Text
  • Independent reading journals (RI4.10, RL.4.10, SL.4.1)

Lesson 7Summarizing Informational Texts
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

B. Reading Aloud: Pages 36–37 of Venom (5 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. Analyzing a Model Summary (15 minutes)

B. Reading “Fight to Survive!” for Gist (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. Sharing Gist Statements (5 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.

B. For ELLs: Complete the Language Dive Part 1 Practice in your Unit 2 Homework.
  • I can analyze a summary and explain how it is effective. (RI.4.2)
  • I can find the gist of a text and use strategies to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in a text. (RI.4.4, L.4.4)
  • "Fight to Survive!" annotated for gist and unfamiliar vocabulary (RI.4.4, L.4.4)

Lesson 8Interpreting Diagrams with Text
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

B. Reading Aloud: Pages 47–49 of Venom (5 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. Interpreting the Diagram in Venom (15 minutes)

B. Interpreting the Diagram in “Fight to Survive!” (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. Using Affixes and Roots to Determine the Meaning of Unfamiliar Vocabulary (20 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Choose one of the Affixes Practice sheets from the homework resources for this unit.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can interpret a diagram in a text and use it to help me understand the text. (RI.4.7)
  • I can find the meanings of unfamiliar words by using affixes and roots. (L.4.4b)
  • "Fight to Survive!" diagram (RI.4.7)
  • Filled-out Affix Word Glossary -ity (L.4.4b)

Lesson 9Writing a Summary: “Fight to Survive!”
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

B. Reading Aloud: Pages 77–78 of Venom (5 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. Group Writing: Summary of Pages 77–78 of Venom (20 minutes)

B. Independent Writing: Summary of “Fight to Survive!” (20 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. Peer Feedback (10 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Use the Summary Writing organizer in the homework resources for this unit to write a summary of your research reading.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can write a summary of "Fight to Survive! including the main idea and supporting details. (RI.4.)
  • Summary of "Fight to Survive!" (RI.4.2)

Lesson 10End of Unit 1 Assessment: Interpreting Diagrams and Summarizing Texts about Animal Defense Mechanisms
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Returning Mid-Unit 1 Assessment (5 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time 

A. End of Unit 1 Assessment: Interpreting Diagrams and Summarizing Texts about Animal Defense Mechanisms (40 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment 

A. Tracking Progress (10 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
  • I can use strategies to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. (RI.4.4, L.4.4)
  • I can interpret a diagram in a text and use it to help me understand the text. (RI.4.7)
  • I can summarize a text using the main idea and supporting details. (RI.4.2)
  • End of Unit 1 Assessment (RI.4.2, RI.4.4, RI.4.7, RI.4.10, L.4.4)
  • Tracking Progress: Reading, Understanding and Explaining New Text
  • Exit Ticket

Lesson 11Preparing for a Text-Based Discussion: Science Talk about Animal Defenses
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Research Reading Share (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. What Is a Science Talk? (10 minutes)

B. Preparing Evidence and Questions for the Science Talk (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Learning Target (5 minutes)

4. Homework 

A. Review notes for the Science Talk.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
    • I can prepare for a Science Talk about animal defense mechanisms by using evidence from my research. (SL.4.1)
    • Animal Defense Mechanisms: Preparing for a Science Talk note-catcher (SL.4.1)
    • Science Talks

    Lesson 12Text-Based Discussion: Science Talk about Animal Defenses
    Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

    1. Opening

    A. Engaging the Reader: Connecting Key Vocabulary: Interactive Word Wall (10 minutes)

    B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

    2. Work Time

    A. Preparing for a Science Talk (10 minutes)

    B. Conducting a Science Talk—Round 1 (15 minutes)

    C. Conducting a Science Talk—Round 2 (15 minutes)

    3. Closing and Assessment

    A. Debrief (5 minutes)

    4. Homework 

    A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt to respond to in the front of your independent reading journal.
    • I can effectively participate in a Science Talk about animal defense mechanisms. (SL.4.1, SL.4.6)
    • I can ask questions so I am clear about what is being discussed and to build my understanding of the topic. (SL.4.1, SL.4.6)
    • Science Talk Notes and Goals (SL.4.1, SL.4.6)
    • Science Talks

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