Unit Plan 30 (Grade 4 ELA): Reading History/Science Texts with Visuals

Focus: Interpreting charts/diagrams/maps; domain vocabulary

Grade Level: 4

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

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

I. Introduction

This week, students learn to read words and visuals together like historians and scientists. They’ll interpret charts, diagrams, and maps (titles, keys, axes, scale, captions), connect those visuals to the main points in the text, and use domain vocabulary accurately. They’ll also practice paraphrasing information they see/hear from visuals and short clips. By Friday, each learner will explain what a visual shows, how it adds to understanding, and define domain terms from context, parts, and reference features.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Interpret visual information (charts, diagrams, maps) and explain how it contributes to understanding the text.
2. Determine meanings of academic/domain-specific words using context, morphology, and text features.
3. Paraphrase information presented in visuals or short audio/video segments.
4. Integrate text + visual information in short spoken or written explanations.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 4

• RI.4.7 (interpret visual information; explain its contribution to text)
• RI.4.4 (determine meaning of words/phrases, including domain-specific)
• SL.4.2 (paraphrase information presented in diverse media/formats)

Success Criteria — student language

• I can read a title, labels, key, scale and tell what a visual shows in my own words.
• I can explain how the visual helps me understand the text’s idea.
• I can figure out a domain word using context and word parts (prefix/root/suffix).
• I can give a 2–3 sentence paraphrase of information from a chart/map/diagram or short clip.