Narrative Unit 1 4th Grade

Overview of Narrative Unit 1 for 4th Grade

  • This document includes a test booklet for the 4th grade narrative unit, powered by Illuminate Education.

  • It contains two sources that are part of the narratives studied: Source 1 is a fable, while Source 2 relates to the nature myths.

Source 1: "Why the Evergreen Trees Keep Their Leaves in Winter"

  • Author: Florence Holbrook

  • Summary of the Narrative:

    • Introduction of the Main Character:

      • A little bird who has injured its wing and cannot fly south with its flock for the winter. The bird feels lost and scared, unsure of its next steps.

    • Assistance from Trees:

      • A spruce tree offers shelter to the bird, asking, "Hey, little bird. You may live among my warmest branches until you feel better."

      • The bird inquires if it may stay all winter, and the spruce tree agrees kindly.

      • The bird nests in the spruce tree's thick needles.

      • A large pine tree provides further support, stating, "My branches are not as warm, but I am strong and will keep the wind off you."

      • A juniper tree offers berries for the bird to eat, showcasing the community of trees caring for the bird.

    • Contrasting Trees:

      • Nearby trees (birch and oak) express their reluctance to help the bird, saying things like:

      • "I wouldn’t take care of a strange bird."

      • "I certainly wouldn’t share my acorns."

    • Role of the North Wind:

      • The North Wind comes into play with his icy breath, seeking to blow down the leaves of the trees.

      • He asks the Frost King if he may blow down every leaf, but the Frost King denies him, saying, "No, the trees that were kind to the bird shall remain green."

    • Conclusion:

      • As a result, the spruce, pine, and juniper trees maintain their green needles throughout the winter, symbolizing the rewards of kindness.

      • This narrative explains why evergreen trees retain their leaves during winter.

Source 2: Nature Myths

  • This section corresponds to the second narrative and suggests looking into various natural phenomena explanations through creative storytelling.

Writing Prompt

  • Task: Write an imaginative story explaining a natural change, such as:

    • Why the moon changes its shape.

    • Why the sun rises and sets.

    • What causes earthquakes or volcanoes.

  • Checklist for Writing:

    • Ensure the story includes a beginning, middle, and end.

    • Connect events and ideas using transitions.

    • Clearly describe the setting and characters.

    • Include a problem for the characters to resolve.

    • Use precise language and a variety of sentence structures.

    • Review the writing for clarity and coherence.

    • Confirm that the prompt has been addressed.

    • Correct any mistakes in capitalization, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.

Objectives for Narrative Writing

  • Objective Value: 0 - 16 points (multiplier 1)

  • Students are to demonstrate their narrative writing skills as evaluated through the objectives outlined in the checklist.

  • Each student will be assessed based on their adherence to the checklist criteria and overall narrative quality.