Grade 4 English Language Arts (ELA): Unit 2 of 2 (FLEX Class)

This FLEXIBLE 8-week course is Unit 2 of 2 in a series that covers Grade 4 English Language Arts Skills aligned with the common core standards for literary and informational text, grammar, vocabulary, and writing. Unit 2 is not dependent on learners completing Unit 1. The entire Grade 4 ELA Curriculum is taught in 2 units.

First, they LEARN/REVIEW the focused reading comprehension skill. Second, they PRACTICE and APPLY that knowledge using asynchronous, engaging, and interactive lessons. Finally, they TEST their knowledge about the focused skill with a short interactive self-grading assessment and a written response question as each learner completes their project. 

Who should take this class?
Learners that are rising to grade 4 and can use the supplemental instruction and practice.
Learners that completed grade 4 but still need to review or fill-in-gaps for unfinished grade 4 English Language Arts learning. 
IMPORTANT NOTE: Learners that have not completed Unit 1 can still take Unit 2. Several ELA standards can be taught and learned simultaneously and not necessarily in a specific order.   

What is this class about?
This course is designed for flexible pacing so that learners can work at their own pace to meet their academic English Language Art needs. Imbedded CRISS strategies give support for differentiated instruction and task completion suggestions so that each learner makes progress.
As each learner journeys through the unit, they will interact with the weekly text sets and complete interactive tasks to practice applying the learned skill by solving puzzles, playing learning games, complete vocabulary word searches, reading infographics, solving riddles, and listening and watching learning videos AND will complete a project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4.

What skills are covered in this Unit 2 course?
Grade 4 English Language Arts skills.
Text Structures (Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast)
Text Structures (Chronology and Problem & Solution)
Elements of Poetry & Plays
Comparing Points of View
Interpreting Visual Information
Explain an Author’s Reason & Evidence
Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories
Text Genres

What text will learners read?
Learners begin each week by reading and analyzing a text set that includes literary and informational text. A text set includes two or more multi-genre readings and focus on a topic. The texts will include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, short story, Web articles, media clips, illustrations, and newspaper or magazine articles. Learners will read literature text, social studies text, and science text so they learn or review new information. With each reading, learners will use close reading strategies to help them answer higher-order text related questions.

Learners are also taught to understand how text is written when they explore text complexity. They also learn to comprehend the different types and levels of questioning when they dive into Depth of Knowledge questioning. Each week, learners will focus on answering a written response question – questions that prompt the learner to write a short paragraph to answer the question. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
1.	REMINDER: This is a flex class. Flex classes DO NOT meet live.
2.	Audio and video recordings, announcements, downloadable files, and links for the week will be posted in the classroom on Sunday by 11 pm CST. 
3.	Office Hours: Learners may post questions or messages in the classroom, and they will receive a reply within 24 hours.  

THIS IS A FLEX CLASS THEREFORE THE WEEKLY DUE DATES ARE ONLY A SUGGESTION TO KEEP LEARNERS ON A STRUCTURED SCHEDULE.

WEEKLY CLASSES BEGIN ON MONDAYS
Sunday: pre-recorded audios/videos, classroom text sets, assignments, vocabulary, discussions prompt (Jamboard) are posted.
Monday: Class Reflections/Discussions/Polls about Focused Skill (asynchronous) 
Tuesday: Read text set.
Wednesday: Interactive Vocabulary Game/Activity (asynchronous) due OR Interactive Grammar Game/Activity (asynchronous)
Friday: Self-grading Assessment AND Written Response/Short Answer Question (submit in the Outschool classroom.)
Saturday: My ELA Interactive Notebook (weekly read/analyze/cut/paste assignment)

Learners’ Weekly Experiences and Schedule:
Week 1: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following: Text Structures (Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast).
Learning Strategy: Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast Graphic Organizers.
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Strategy: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Text Structures (Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast) as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video.
Complete: Class Drag & Drop: (asynchronous using Genially) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following: What are some clue words used in a text that indicate a cause & effect or a compare & contrast text structure?
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Text Structures (Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast) using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary and informational text set.
Complete: Vocabulary: Interactive Vocabulary Bingo game (asynchronous using Genially).  
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Text Structures (Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast) and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms).
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Text Structures (Cause & Effect and Compare & Contrast).
handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 2: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following: Text Structures (Chronology and Problem & Solution)
Learning Strategy: Chronology and Problem & Solution Graphic Organizers.
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Strategy: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Text Structures (Chronology and Problem & Solution) as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video. 
Complete: Class Reflection: (asynchronous using Jamboard) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following: What are some clue words used in the text that indicate a cause & effect text structure? 
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Text Structures (Chronology and Problem & Solution)
using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary and informational text set.
Complete: Grammar: Interactive Grammar Word Search: Complete Sentences & Fragments (asynchronous using Genially).
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Text Structures (Chronology and Problem & Solution) and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms).
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Text Structures (Chronology and Problem & Solution) handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 3: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following skill: Elements of Poetry & Plays.
Learning Strategies: Column Notes
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Skill: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Elements of Poetry & Plays as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video.
Complete: Virtual Field Trip of a Play: (asynchronous using Nearpod) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following: Think about some of the elements of a play as you journey this virtual field trip of a short play performance. Why are these elements important?
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Elements of Poetry & Plays using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary and informational text set 
Complete: Vocabulary: Interactive Vocabulary Bingo game (asynchronous using Genially) 
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Elements of Poetry & Plays and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms) 
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Elements of Poetry & Plays handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 4: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following skill: Comparing Points of View.
Learning Strategies: I See! You See! They See! Diagram
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Skill: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Comparing Point of View as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video.
Complete: See & Say: (asynchronous using Jamboard) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following: Look at the two paintings on the wall. Share what you see in the paintings and compare your point of view to other learners’ point of view. 
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Comparing Points of View using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary text set.
Complete: Grammar: Interactive Grammar Word Search: Run-On Sentences (asynchronous using Genially).
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Comparing Points of View
and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms) 
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Comparing Points of View handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 5: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following skill: Interpreting Visual Information.
Learning Strategies: How to Use Visual Information
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Skill: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Interpreting Visual Information as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video.
Complete: Charts, Graphs, and Diagrams. Oh My: (asynchronous using Jamboard) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following: How can each of these visual aids help you understand the information in the text? 
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Interpreting Visual Information using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary and informational text set.
Complete: Vocabulary: Interactive Vocabulary Bingo game (asynchronous using Genially).  
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Interpreting Visual Information and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Form).
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Interpreting Visual Information handouts for project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 6: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following skill: Explain an Author’s Reasons & Evidence.
Learning Strategies: Claims & Evidence Graphic Organizer
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Skill: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Explain an Author’s Reasons & Evidence as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video. 
Complete: Match Game: (asynchronous using Nearpod) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following: Think about why it is important to have evidence to support your claim as you match each claim with its evidence.
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Explain an Author’s Reasons & Evidence using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary text set.
Complete: Grammar: Interactive Grammar Word Search: Commonly Confused Words (asynchronous using Genially).
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Explain an Author’s Reasons & Evidence and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms).
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Explain an Author’s Reasons & Evidence handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 7: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following skill: Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories
Learning Strategies: Venn Diagram
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Skill: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video.
Complete: Class Audio Discussion: (asynchronous using a recording) learners critically think about and respond to the following about Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories: How can two texts that have the same topic have different themes?
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary and informational text set.
Complete: Vocabulary: Interactive Vocabulary Bingo game (asynchronous using Genially).  
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms).
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Comparing Topics & Themes in Stories handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide) 

Week 8: 
Objective/Skill: Students will learn and apply the following skill: Comparing Text Genres.
Learning Strategies: Venn Diagram.
Listen/View: Teacher-Pre-recorded Audio/Video Introduction of Skill: learner reads and analyzes the downloaded activity sheet(s) about Comparing Text Genres as they view/listen to the pre-recorded audio/video.
Complete: Class Venn Diagram: Let us Compare! (asynchronous using Jamboard) learners critically think about and reflect/respond to the following about Comparing Text Genres: Compare two of your favorite genres using a Venn Diagram.
Complete: Interactive Learning Game of Skill: Comparing Text Genres using an interactive presentation (asynchronous using Genially).
Read/Analyze: literary text set.
Complete: Grammar: Interactive Grammar Word Search: Modal Auxiliaries (asynchronous using Genially).
Skill Assessment (Questions & Writing): take the short interactive Self-Grading Test about Comparing Text Genres and answer the Written Response Question. (Google Forms).
Complete (download/color/cut/paste): Comparing Text Genres handouts for your project: My ELA Interactive Notebook for Grade 4. (An image is shared as an example/guide)