Unit Plan 17 (Grade 4 ELA): Explanatory Writing with Text Features
Grade 4 week-long unit: students write multi-paragraph explanations with focused sections, linking words, and labeled diagrams/charts with strong captions—then publish & present.
Focus: Multi-paragraph sections; integrating visuals and captions
Grade Level: 4
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing, Reading Informational, Speaking & Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week writers create multi-paragraph explanatory pieces that teach readers about a focused topic. Students plan clear sections with strong topic sentences, develop ideas with facts/definitions/examples, and add text features—a labeled diagram, chart, or map—with precise captions. They’ll also explain how the visual contributes to understanding and present finished work with a quick author talk. By Friday, each writer publishes a two–three section explanation that includes at least one meaningful visual and caption.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Plan and draft multi-paragraph sections with focused topic sentences and grouped information.
- Develop explanations using facts, definitions, and examples, and connect ideas with linking words/phrases.
- Add formatting and visuals (diagram/chart/map) with informative captions and explain how the visual supports understanding.
- Conclude with a statement that wraps the big idea.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 4
- W.4.2a–d (introduce topic; group related information in paragraphs/sections; develop with facts/definitions/examples; use linking words/phrases; provide a concluding statement)
- RI.4.7 (interpret information presented visually and explain how it contributes to understanding)
- SL.4.5 (add audio/visual displays to presentations to enhance the main idea)
Success Criteria — student language
- My writing has clear sections with topic sentences and grouped details.
- I used facts/definitions/examples and linking words to make ideas flow.
- My visual is accurate, labeled, and the caption teaches something new or clarifies the text; I can explain how it helps.
- My conclusion restates the big idea and ties sections together.