Grade: 4th

Duration: 130 minutes

Class Size: 22 students

Curriculum Alignment: Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

Unit Reference: Savvas MyView Unit 3, Week 2 (NY State)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.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 character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.5: Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to structural elements of poems and drama when writing or speaking about a text.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.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.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

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“I Can…” Statements

• I can identify and describe key characters in a story using text evidence.
• I can explain how the setting influences the story’s plot.
• I can summarize the main events of a story in order.
• I can use new vocabulary words correctly in my speaking and writing.

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Lesson Outline

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (15 minutes)

Objective: Build background knowledge and activate prior learning using inquiry strategies.

• Welcome students and introduce the day’s focus: understanding characters, plot, and setting.
• Ask students: “What makes a character interesting?” and “How does the place where a story happens change the story?”
• Vocabulary Focus: Introduce 5 key vocabulary words related to the unit (e.g., character, plot, setting, conflict, resolution).
• Use visuals and student-friendly definitions—anchor vocabulary on the board or chart paper.
• Differentiation: Provide word cards with images for English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities.

2. Read Aloud and Guided Reading (35 minutes)

Objective: Analyze story elements with active reading strategies.

• Read aloud a story from Savvas MyView Unit 3, Week 2. Choose a story rich in character and setting details.
• Pause intentionally to model “think aloud” strategies, focusing on character traits, setting descriptions, and plot events.
• Use a graphic organizer (Character/Setting/Plot Chart) to fill out details collaboratively.
• Encourage student participation by calling on volunteers to point out text clues.
• Differentiation: Use paired reading for students who need support; advanced readers write additional traits or setting details independently.

3. Vocabulary Deep Dive & Interactive Game (15 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce vocabulary understanding through kinesthetic learning.

• Quickly review vocabulary.
• Play a game called "Vocabulary Charades": students act out vocabulary words, peers guess, and explain meaning using sentence starters (e.g. “This is a ______; it means...”).
• Differentiation: Provide sentence starters or visual prompts for diverse learners.

4. Creative Group Activity: Story Map Creation (30 minutes)

Objective: Reinforce plot, character, and setting through cooperative learning.

• Divide class into 4 groups (5-6 students). Each group creates a large story map on poster paper showing:
  • Main characters (with descriptions)
  • Setting details (where and when the story happens)
  • Plot events in sequential order (beginning, middle, end)
• Provide colored markers, magazines for cut-outs, and sentence starters to scaffold writing.
• Groups present their story maps briefly to the class.
• Differentiation: Assign roles within groups to support different strengths (e.g., artist, writer, presenter).

5. Independent Writing Activity (20 minutes)

Objective: Apply understanding of story elements through writing.

• Prompt: “Write a paragraph describing your favorite character and how the setting influences what happens to them.”
• Encourage students to use at least 3 vocabulary words learned today.
• Scaffolded support: sentence starters for students needing help (e.g., “My favorite character is ____. They are ____. The setting is ____ and it affects the story because ____.”)
• Differentiation: Allow students to first verbally express their ideas to a partner or record orally if writing is challenging.

6. Reflection and Exit Ticket (10 minutes)

Objective: Assess understanding and encourage metacognition.

• Distribute an exit ticket with 3 prompts:
  1. Name one character and describe them.
  2. What is the setting of the story?
  3. What happens in the plot?
• Collect and review for formative assessment.
• Close with a brief class discussion on how understanding characters, plot, and setting helps us enjoy stories more.
• Differentiation: Provide sentence frames or visual prompts on the exit ticket.

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Materials Needed

• Savvas MyView Unit 3 Week 2 storybook
• Graphic organizers (Character/Setting/Plot Chart)
• Vocabulary word cards and visuals
• Poster paper, markers, scissors, glue
• Exit tickets
• Sentence starters handouts

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Assessment Strategy

• Informal observation during group and guided reading discussions.
• Review of graphic organizers and story maps for comprehension.
• Evaluation of independent writing (focus on use of vocabulary and story elements).
• Exit tickets to measure individual understanding aligned with CCSS RL.4.3 and RL.4.1.

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Differentiation Strategies

• For ELL students: Visual aids, vocabulary cards with pictures, peer buddies, and sentence starters.
• For students with reading/writing challenges: Small group support, paired reading, oral responses, use of assistive technology if available.
• For Advanced Learners: Encourage adding dialogue or internal thoughts to character descriptions; create alternate endings.
• Culturally Responsive: Incorporate discussion that connects story themes with Martin Luther King Jr.’s values of empathy and understanding diverse perspectives.

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Extension & Home Connection

• Encourage students to talk with family members about their favorite story characters and settings.
• Suggest reading an additional story at home and identifying the plot parts using the story map template sent home.

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This lesson plan integrates engaging, multi-modal approaches and focuses on critical literacy skills aligned with the Common Core, supporting a range of learners while inspiring deeper comprehension of story elements.