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Lesson Overview


Objective

Plan a story that includes a problem, climax, and solution.

Readings and Materials

  • Book: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt  — Ch. 1–3

  • Book: Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper  — Ch. 1–4

  • Book: Rules by Cynthia Lord  — Ch. 1–2

Lesson Map

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14
Lesson
Writing
Overview

Write a persuasive letter explaining whether or not early screening for dyslexia is important.

Materials
  • The Wild Book
  • “Capitol Journal: Newsom's struggles with dyslexia prompt a 'very personal' quest to fund early screening”
  • “After setbacks, dyslexia screening for young students moves forward in California schools”
  • Opinion Writing Rubric (G4)
  • Single Point Opinion Writing Rubric 2 (G4, U4)
  • Editing Checklist 1 (G4, U4)
  • Opinion Writing Note Taker (G4, U4, L14)
  • Opinion Writing Note Taker Sample Response (G4, U4, L14)
  • Two Paragraph Outline
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 1 (G4, U4, L14)
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 2 (G4, U4, L14)
Day 1 - Brainstorming

Research a topic to establish an opinion.

Materials
  • The Wild Book
  • “Capitol Journal: Newsom's struggles with dyslexia prompt a 'very personal' quest to fund early screening”
  • “After setbacks, dyslexia screening for young students moves forward in California schools”
  • Opinion Writing Note Taker (G4, U4, L14)
  • Opinion Writing Note Taker Sample Response (G4, U4, L14)

Standards

RI.4.9SL.4.1.aW.4.5W.4.8

Day 2 - Planning

Craft an opinion statement based on facts and details and sequence reasons strategically.

Materials
  • The Wild Book
  • “Capitol Journal: Newsom's struggles with dyslexia prompt a 'very personal' quest to fund early screening”
  • “After setbacks, dyslexia screening for young students moves forward in California schools”
  • Two Paragraph Outline
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 1 (G4, U4, L14)
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 2 (G4, U4, L14)
  • Opinion Writing Note Taker (G4, U4, L14) — Completed on Day 1

Standards

RI.4.1RI.4.9SL.4.1.aW.4.1W.4.1.aW.4.5

Day 3 - Drafting

Elaborate on reasons by using explanation, context, or examples.

Materials
  • The Wild Book
  • “Capitol Journal: Newsom's struggles with dyslexia prompt a 'very personal' quest to fund early screening”
  • “After setbacks, dyslexia screening for young students moves forward in California schools”
  • Two Paragraph Outline
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 1 (G4, U4, L14)
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 2 (G4, U4, L14)

Standards

RI.4.1W.4.1W.4.5W.4.8

Day 4 - Drafting

Include introduction and conclusion sections that appropriately engage the reader and reveal the topic and main ideas.

Materials
  • Opinion Letter Draft — Started or completed on Day 3
  • Single Point Opinion Writing Rubric 2 (G4, U4)
  • Two Paragraph Outline — Completed on Day 2
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 1 (G4, U4, L14)
  • Two Paragraph Outline Sample Response 2 (G4, U4, L14)

Standards

SL.4.1.aSL.4.1.dW.4.1W.4.1.aW.4.1.dW.4.5

Day 5 - Revision & Editing

Change descriptive words to be more precise.

Materials
  • Opinion Letter Draft — Completed from Day 4
  • Dictionary — Physical or online
  • Thesaurus — Physical or online
  • Single Point Opinion Writing Rubric 2 (G4, U4)
  • Editing Checklist 1 (G4, U4)

Standards

L.4.1.aW.4.5

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