Unit Plan 1 (Grade 4 ELA): Launching Our Reading–Writing Community

Focus: Routines, stamina, close reading norms, writer’s workshop expectations

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This first week launches your classroom as a community of purposeful readers and writers. Students learn how to choose and sustain reading in just-right texts, practice close reading moves on a short shared text, and establish discussion norms for partnerships and small groups. On the writing side, they set up writer’s workshop routines—planning, drafting, conferring, revising—and practice producing clear sentences that fit the task and audience. Fluency warm-ups train pace, accuracy, and expression. By Friday, each student will:

• sustain independent reading with stamina targets,
• annotate a short text using agreed close reading norms,
• participate in a structured discussion, and
• publish a short “Reading–Writing Community Pledge” using clear, correct sentences.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Build independent reading stamina and apply close reading routines (annotate, question, summarize) to grade-appropriate texts.
2. Participate in collaborative discussions using norms and sentence stems; listen and respond to peers.
3. Produce clear writing that matches task and purpose; follow writer’s workshop routines and expectations.
4. Read with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression during daily fluency practice.
5. Demonstrate command of grammar and usage in sentences during writing tasks.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 4

• Reading Literature: RL.4.10 (read/comprehend literature at grade level; scaffolding as needed)
• Writing: W.4.4 (produce clear/coherent writing appropriate to task/purpose)
• Speaking & Listening: SL.4.1 (engage effectively in collaborative discussions; follow rules; build on others’ ideas)
• Foundational Skills: RF.4.4 (read with sufficient accuracy and fluency)
• Language: L.4.1 (grammar and usage in writing/speaking)

Success Criteria — student language

• I can choose a just-right book and read for ___ minutes with focus.
• I can use our close reading steps: number the paragraphs, circle unknown words, underline key ideas, margin-note questions/observations.
• I can speak and listen using our norms and accountable talk stems.
• I can write clear sentences with correct subjects/verbs, punctuation, and transition words for my audience.