LANGUAGE ARTS 4TH GRADE

STORY ELEMENTS

100

Fiction always includes this description of time and place.

What is setting?

200

The point of view told by someone in the story.

What is first person?

300

These are based on the actions and words of the characters.

What are character traits?

400

A story that is made up.

What is fiction?

500

Authors sometimes includes this hidden message or lesson in their stories.

What is a theme?  

AUTHOR'S PURPOSE

100

A boy brought home his report card from school. His dad looked it over. His face became red as he said, "How did you manage to make one D and five F's?" The boy answered,"I guess I concentrated too hard on one subject."

What is to entertain?

200

Recess should be 30 minutes instead of 15 minutes because you get a longer time to talk to your friends about all sorts of stuff. You also get a longer time to play the activities you're playing. We kids would get more exercise from being outside for a longer time. The teachers would get a longer break from teaching us and we would get a longer break from all that learning. That is why I think we should have a longer recess.

What is to persuade (or convince)?

300

Tigers are solitary animals and usually hunt at night. A male tiger will have a large range that will overlap with the ranges of several females. Females give birth to two or three cubs, which they raise and train for about two years. Tigers kill a variety of animals, including deer, antelope, wild pigs, and cattle. Tigers try to remain out of sight and hearing of their enemies, especially humans; they prefer fleeing to fighting. They can be killed by wild dogs, elephants, and water buffalos. Man-eating tigers are usually individuals who are too old or sick to capture wild animals.

What is to inform?

400

William is a strong and bossy boy. His athletic body is very tall and almost higher by one head than his classmates. He has dark and tough skin that looks muscular and is often wet and sweaty. Actually, he looks like a wrestler. Since he fights with several kids without any help and won finally, he has become an idol of his classmates and has a bunch of followers. Because of the power, William is arrogant and domineering. For example, when his thundering boasts rise in the boiling class, everybody keeps quiet and listens carefully. William is easily mad and jealous if someone disagrees with him.

What is to describe?

500

In Tarpon Springs, Florida, there are people who work underwater. These people are called sponge divers. The kind of treasure they look for is called sponges. Sponge diving is not an easy job. The diver has to breathe under the water, and be careful of extreme water pressure.

What is to inform?

CONTEXT CLUES

100

The long hike up to the top of the mountain was extremely grueling. Does grueling mean loud, tiring, or easy?

What is tiring?

200

The conspicious man wore a purple wig and large sunglasses. Does conspicious mean...easily noticed, beautiful, or sleeping?

What is easily noticed?

300

I was so parched that I drank an entire glass of water in one gulp. Does parched mean hungry, thirsty, or sleepy?

What is thirsty?

400

The delightful aroma of food cooking in the kitchen made my mouth water. Does aroma mean smell, color, or wealth?

What is smell?

500

Marcia is a novice soccer player. It is her first day of practice. Does novice mean professional, skilled, or beginner?

What is beginner?

Capital Letters

100

What word(s) should be capitalized? 

candy, mrs. person, tree

Mrs. Person

200

What word(s) should be capitalized? 

house, fish, nashville

Nashville

300

What word(s) should be capitalized? 

sponge bob, bath tub, girl

Sponge Bob

400

What word(s) should be capitalized? 

my birthday is in january

My, January

500

What word(s) should be capitalized? 

toni, henry, and jen like to go to pizza hut.

Toni, Henry, Jen, Pizza Hut

INFERENCE

100

The shelves were piled high with boxes of every size and shape. Each group had a different picture and different bright colors. There were so many people – men and women, mothers with little children, teenagers putting more boxes on the shelves. Some of the people were talking together as they chose the boxes and cans that they wanted. Jeff was having a hard time remembering which one to buy. He knew that Tooli wouldn’t be happy if he brought home the wrong brand! He also knew that Tooli was probably getting very hungry! Where was Jeff?

What is the grocery store?

200

Jeff filled up a big bowl with fresh, cold water and set it on the floor. He brought out a big comforter and put it on the floor next to the low window. He opened a package, took out a big bone and placed it on the floor next to the comforter. Then he opened the window so that the gentle breeze could blow into the room. What was Jeff doing?

What is getting a place ready for a dog?

300

Justin grabbed the leash and quickly put it around Tooli’s neck. He stormed out the door with Tooli coming right behind. He said, “Hurry up, Tooli. You’re always so slow.” Justin kept his head down and walked quickly down the road, not speaking to anyone that he saw. How does Jeff probably feel?

What is angry?

400

Lisa carefully examined the bug sitting on the leaf. She noticed that it had six legs and a hard shell. Lisa had never seen a bug like this before. She grabbed her magnifying glass and camera. What is the MOST LIKELY conclusion you can draw about Lisa? A. She is helpful. B. She is afraid of bugs. C. She is very curious. D. She likes to play soccer.

What is she is very curious?

500

Lauren looked at her watch, grabbed her books and ran to the bus stop. When she got to the bus stop, she realized she forgot her lunch. Lauren ran back to the house and grabbed her lunchbox. When Lauren got back to the bus stop, she realized she missed the bus. What word would best describes Lauren? A. playful B. disorganized C. worried D. athletic

What is disorganized?