General Vocabulary
I can't wait to buy this year's almanac so I can learn a bunch of new facts about various topics.
What is an almanac?
a. A book that contains a collection of maps
b. An informational book published every year about animals, weather, sports, and more.
c. A novel about ancient history
d. A magazine for fashion trends
b. An informational book published every year about animals, weather, sports, and more.
6. Text Features & Visuals
(RI.4.7 — Multiple Choice)
How does the illustration of Harriet Tubman best support the reader's understanding of the passage?
A) By showing what Harriet Tubman looked like and highlighting her bravery and leadership
B) By demonstrating how Harriet Tubman created the map of the Underground Railroad
C) By showing which specific state Harriet Tubman grew up in
D) By demonstrating Harriet Tubman's talents in nursing and cooking during the war
A) By showing what Harriet Tubman looked like and highlighting her bravery and leadership
6. Drawing Inferences (RL.4.1 — Multiple Choice)
What was Leo’s primary reason for climbing the tree even though he is afraid?
A) He wants to help his sister and stop her from crying.
B) He wants to prove to his grandfather that he is strong.
C) He enjoys climbing high trees in the backyard.
D) He wanted to show off his skills
A) He wants to help his sister and stop her from crying.
What does RAP stand for?
What does CER stand for?
Restate, answer, prove
Claim, evidence, reasoning
If a text is organized by explaining a persons life in order and the years go from 1721 -> 1735 -> 1760, what text structure is it most likely using?
A. Description
B. Sequence
C. Compare and Contrast
D. Cause and Effect
Sequence, because it is going in ORDER
What is an illustration? How does this type of text feature support readers?
An illustration is a picture or drawing.
Illustrations support readers by SHOWING what something or someone looks like. These visuals allow readers to better understand a topic.
1. Key Details (RI.4.1 — Multiple Choice)
Based on the passage, why was Harriet Tubman called the "Moses of her people"?
A) She served as a cook and nurse for Union troops during the Civil War.
B) She safely guided dozens of enslaved people to freedom without losing anyone.
C) She became the first woman to lead an armed attack along the river.
D) She wrote stories about her life as an enslaved person in Maryland.
B) She safely guided dozens of enslaved people to freedom without losing anyone.
7. Text Evidence (RL.4.1 — Multiple Choice)
Which sentence from the story best shows that climbing the tree was a challenge for Leo?
A) "Leo stared at the towering oak tree at the edge of his grandfather’s backyard."
B) "With each branch he reached, his heart pounded faster."
C) "I'll get it down for you, Maya!"
D) "When his feet finally touched the soft grass, Maya ran over."
B) "With each branch he reached, his heart pounded faster."
Slide 7: Character Motivation & Actions
(RL.4.1 / RL.4.3 — Short Answer / 2 pts)
Why did Leo decide to climb the tree himself to get the kite instead of asking an adult for help? Use text evidence from the story to support your answer.
Leo decided to climb the tree himself because he wanted to help his sister after he saw her crying and he wanted to be brave for her. This is shown when the text states that he saw her tears and stepped up to retrieve the kite.
What are two test taking strategies we can use during the common assessment?
Reread
Text Code the text AND the question
Analyze text features
Eliminate choices if it's a multiple choice question
Reread your writing and answer choices before submitting a test
Once the knight turned the corner, he had a scary encounter with the dragon.
Use context clues to explain the meaning of 'encounter'.
5. Text Organization
(RI.4.5 / RI.4.6 — Multiple Choice)
How is the information in this passage mostly organized?
A) By comparing Harriet Tubman to other Civil War leaders
B) By describing problems Harriet Tubman faced
C) In the chronological order of how it happened throughout Harriet Tubman's life
D) By grouping Harriet Tubman's accomplishments by topic
C) In the chronological order of how it happened throughout Harriet Tubman's life
8. Sequence of Events (RL.4.3 — Multiple Choice)
What is the correct sequence of events in "The Unexpected Journey"?
A) First, Leo climbs the towering oak tree. Then, Maya loses her favorite paper kite. Finally, Leo decides to give Maya a hug.
B) First, Maya is sitting on the porch steps upset about her kite. Then, Leo faces his fear to climb the tree and rescue it. Finally, Maya hugs Leo to thank him.
C) First, Leo reaches the third branch of the oak tree. Then, he asks his grandfather for help. Finally, the kite falls out of the tree on its own.
D) First, Maya climbs the tree to reach the paper kite. Then, Leo gets scared and calls out to her. Finally, they both celebrate in the backyard.
B) First, Maya is sitting on the porch steps upset about her kite. Then, Leo faces his fear to climb the tree and rescue it. Finally, Maya hugs Leo to thank him.
Slide 8: Analyzing Characters & Theme
(RL.4.2 / RL.4.3 — Short Answer / 2 pts)
What does the passage suggest about the importance of determination and bravery compared to physical skill when facing a challenge? Use details from the story to support your answer.
The passage suggests that determination and bravery are more important than physical skill because Leo was able to climb the tree and retrieve the kite thanks to his bravery, even though he is not an experienced climber.
True or false: I can use questions to help me answer other questions.
True, sometimes questions give away answers to different questions on a test. You have to be a reading detective to figure it out!
What is the difference between a firsthand and secondhand account?
A firsthand account is created by someone who WITNESSED the event, so it includes more personal feelings and thoughts, and personal stories.
A secondhand account is created by someone who LEARNED about the event, so it includes more facts and examples that came from research.
2. Main Idea & Key Details
(RI.4.2 — Multiple Choice)
What is the main idea of paragraph 2?
A) Harriet Tubman preferred traveling at night using the North Star to navigate.
B) The Underground Railroad was a physical train system built across Maryland.
C) Harriet Tubman risked her life repeatedly on the Underground Railroad to lead others to freedom.
D) Philadelphia was the safest city in the North for formerly enslaved people.
C) Harriet Tubman risked her life repeatedly on the Underground Railroad to lead others to freedom.
9. Theme & Central Lesson (RL.4.2 — Multiple Choice)
What is the central theme or lesson of "The Unexpected Journey"?
A) Younger siblings should always listen to their older brothers.
B) It is better to leave lost items behind than to take unnecessary risks.
C) Climbing tall trees is too dangerous to do without an adult present.
D) True bravery means doing the right thing even when you feel scared.
D) True bravery means doing the right thing even when you feel scared.
PEARDECK Slide 4: Firsthand vs. Secondhand Accounts
(RI.4.6 — Short Answer, 2 points)
This passage is a secondhand account of Harriet Tubman's life. How would a firsthand account written by Harriet Tubman herself be different from this passage?
A firsthand account from Harriet Tubman would be written from the first-person point of view (using "I," "me," or "my") and would focus on her personal feelings, thoughts, and firsthand experiences during those events, rather than outside facts and research.
How do you text code? What do you do to help you think about the text as you read?
I like to highlight dates, years, important words or phrases.
I like to circle confusing words.
I like to use emojis to express my reactions as I read.
I like to make comments if I can make a personal connection or have a question.
What is text evidence? Give me two sentence starters we could use when we're about to write text evidence.
Text evidence is information, facts, or quotes directly from a text that you use to support an answer, argument, or claim.
Sentence Starters for Text Evidence:
"According to the text, ..."
"The author states that ..."
"On paragraph number ___, it says ..."
"For example, the text mentions that ..."
4. Context Clues & Vocabulary
(RI.4.4 — Multiple Select)
Read this sentence from paragraph 2:
"She used a network of secret routes, safe houses, and trusted allies known as the Underground Railroad."
Which TWO statements best describe what the Underground Railroad was based on the text? (Select TWO options)
[ 1] A real subway train system running underground
[ 2] A secret network of paths and safe houses
[ 3] A military army unit commanded by Union generals
[ 4] A group of trusted people and places helping runaway slaves
[ 5] A legal organization created to sell property in Maryland
[ 2] A secret network of paths and safe houses
[ 4] A group of trusted people and places helping runaway slaves
11. Key Details & Text Evidence (RL.4.1 — Multiple Select / 3 pts)
Which of the following statements are true about Leo's experience saving the kite? (Select THREE options)
[1] Leo felt his heart pounding faster as he climbed higher up the tree.
[2] Leo asked his grandfather to help him untangle the kite string from the branches.
[ 3] Maya was sitting on the porch steps crying before Leo decided to help.
[ 4] Leo safely reached the kite and carefully brought it down to his sister.
[ 5] Leo easily climbed the tree because he had practiced climbing high trees many times before.
[1] Leo felt his heart pounding faster as he climbed higher up the tree.
[ 3] Maya was sitting on the porch steps crying before Leo decided to help.
[ 4] Leo safely reached the kite and carefully brought it down to his sister.
PEARDECK Slide 3: Historical Relationships & Cause/Effect (RI.4.3 — Extended Response, 4 points)
Identify two major achievements or actions Harriet Tubman took, and use text evidence from the passage to explain why she chose to do them.
Two major achievements Harriet Tubman had were when she guided dozens of enslaved people to freedom on the Underground Railroad to gain freedom for others. ALSO, she served as a nurse, cook, and armed leader during the Civil War to help the Union army end slavery .
Sometimes a question will ask you to 'identify' something, or 'explain' something. Sometimes a question may have you do both!
What is the difference in these action words?
When you identify, you can usually just state the answer in a complete sentence.
However, when you explain you are describing your answer and telling the 'why' or 'how'.