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Opinion

Introduction Unit 1: Would You Rather Unit 2: Detective Series Related Skills

Pre-Assessment

4th Stay Cool

25 min

Standards Aligned

Lesson 1

Answering in a complete sentence

4th The Case of the Missing Grandpa

30 min

Standards Aligned

Lesson 2

Adding Evidence

4th Find the Evidence

35 min

Standards Aligned

Lesson 3

Elaboration

4th Connect the Clues

30 min

Standards Aligned

Lesson 4

Paragraph responses

4th Solve the Mystery

30 min

Standards Aligned

Post-Assessment

4th Welcome Back

25 min

Standards Aligned

About this Unit

Students learn how to write a response to reading. Students begin by writing complete-sentence answers to questions about a text, and by the end of the unit write complete-paragraph responses with text evidence and analysis.

Print all student worksheets

Standards

RL.4.1
W.4.10
W.4.4
W.4.5
W.4.9
W.4.9A

Pre-Assessment: Pre-Assessment

read a short story.

respond in writing to two questions about the story.

have their writing evaluated according to teacher rubrics and student self-assessment.

Number of students:

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
Detective Series: Pre-Assessment worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Student Checklist worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Teacher Rubric worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Pre-Assessment Sample Responses teacher-only resource	1 copy

Prep Instructions

This activity can be used as a way to see student progress before the unit begins. This activity can also be used as a practice activity if not scored.

The standards-based Teacher Rubric for the pre- and post-assessment is the same. Try this: Score student pre-assessments in one color on the rubric. Use a different color on the same rubric to score the post-assessment later on. A quick glance will show student growth and areas for further support.

The Student Checklist for the pre- and post-assessment is the same and can be used as a student self-assessment to guide revision or to set future writing goals.

Lesson 1: Answering in a complete sentence

read a short text.

identify key words in a question.

write a simple, one sentence response to answer each question.

Number of students:

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
Detective Series: Case File worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Chapter 1 worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Chapter 1 Class Letter worksheet	1 copy
Paper Clips	30
Detective Series: Chapter 1 Sample Responses teacher-only resource	1 copy

Prep Instructions

This lesson is part of a learning progression sequence. Students will learn how to answer questions in a single complete sentence. In later lessons, students will add evidence and analysis to their responses.

Each worksheet in this unit will be used across multiple lessons. These worksheets are labeled as VIPs (Very Important Papers).

Students will make a paper folder to store their worksheets for the unit.

The sample response document is available if you would like to view examples of successful student writing.

Lesson 2: Adding Evidence

read a short text.

answer two questions about the text.

use evidence from the text to support responses.

Number of students:

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
Detective Series: Chapter 2 worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Chapter 2 Class Letter worksheet	1 copy
Case File from previous lesson	30
Detective Series: Chapter 2 Sample Responses teacher-only resource	1 copy

Prep Instructions

Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.

The sample response document is available if you would like to view examples of successful student writing.

Lesson 3: Elaboration

read a short text.

answer two questions using evidence from the text

add evidence and explanations to support each response.

Number of students:

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
Detective Series: Chapter 3 worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Chapter 3 Class Letter worksheet	1 copy
Case File from previous lesson	30
Detective Series: Chapter 3 Sample Responses teacher-only resource	1 copy

Prep Instructions

Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.

The sample response document is available if you would like to view examples of successful student writing.

Lesson 4: Paragraph responses

read a short text.

answer a question using multiple pieces of text evidence from different parts of the story.

include an explanation of how the evidence supports their answer.

participate in a brief editing process.

Number of students:

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
Detective Series: Chapter 4 worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Chapter 4 Class Letter worksheet	1 copy
Case File from previous lesson	30
Detective Series: Chapter 4 Sample Responses teacher-only resource	1 copy

Prep Instructions

Students will need to bring their completed work from the previous lessons to this lesson.

The sample response document is available if you would like to view examples of successful student writing.

Post-Assessment: Post-Assessment

read a short story.

respond in writing to two questions about the story.

have their writing evaluated according to teacher rubrics and student self-assessment.

Number of students:

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES
Detective Series: Post-Assessment worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Student Checklist worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Teacher Rubric worksheet	30 copies
Detective Series: Post-Assessment Sample Responses teacher-only resource	1 copy

Prep Instructions

This activity can be used as a way to see student progress after the unit ends. This activity can also be used as a practice activity if not scored.

The standards-based Teacher Rubric for the pre- and post-assessment is the same. Try this: Score student pre-assessments in one color on the rubric. Use a different color on the same rubric to score the post-assessment later on. A quick glance will show student growth and areas for further support.

The Student Checklist for the pre- and post-assessment is the same and can be used as a student self-assessment to guide revision or to set future writing goals.

Opinion

Detective Series

Pre-Assessment

4th Stay Cool

Answering in a complete sentence

4th The Case of the Missing Grandpa

Adding Evidence

4th Find the Evidence

Elaboration

4th Connect the Clues

Paragraph responses

4th Solve the Mystery

Post-Assessment

4th Welcome Back

About this Unit

Pre-Assessment: Pre-Assessment

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

Lesson 1: Answering in a complete sentence

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

Lesson 2: Adding Evidence

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

Lesson 3: Elaboration

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

Lesson 4: Paragraph responses

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

Post-Assessment: Post-Assessment

OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

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