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GRADE 4 PACING GUIDE

Lesson Title

Lessons

Expository Prompts, Planning Introduction Paragraph, Middle Paragraphs Test, Review/Revise, Conclusion Paragraph, Review I/C Paragraphs Modeling, Wrap-Up Sentence, Test, Transitions, Indenting Test, Conferences/Revisions, Test, Checklists, Test Review Week

Lessons 1-4 Lessons 5-8 Lessons 9-12 Lessons 13-17 Lessons 18-22

Week # SECTION 1: EXPOSITORY WRITING

1 2 3 4 5 6

SECTION 2: INFORMATIVE WRITING

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Informative Prompts, Planning Planning Practice, Introduction Paragraph Topic Sentence, Middle Paragraphs, Referencing Sources Referencing Practice, Wrap-Up Sentence, Middle Paragraph Overview Quotes, Paraphrasing, Own Thoughts and Ideas, Middle Paragraphs Middle Paragraphs Practice, Conclusion Paragraph, Transition Words Test, Review/Revise, Test, Conferences/Revisions Test, Checklists, Test Review Week Review Week

Lessons 23-25 Lessons 26-28 Lessons 29-31 Lessons 32-34 Lessons 35-38 Lessons 39-41 Lessons 42-45 Lessons 46-48

SECTION 3: OPINION WRITING

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Opinion Prompts, Planning Planning Practice, Introduction Paragraph Topic Sentence, Middle Paragraphs, Referencing Sources Referencing Practice, Wrap-Up Sentence, Middle Paragraph Overview Quotes, Paraphrasing, Own Thoughts and Ideas, Middle Paragraphs Middle Paragraphs Practice, Conclusion Paragraph, Transition Words Test, Conferences/Revisions Test, Checklists, Test Review Week Review Week

Lessons 49-51 Lessons 52-54 Lessons 55-57 Lessons 58-60 Lessons 61-64 Lessons 65-67 Lessons 68-71 Lessons 72-74

SECTION 4: NARRATIVE WRITING

27 28 29 30 31 32

Introduction to Narrative Writing, Planning Beginning Paragraph, Middle Paragraphs Ending Paragraph, Modeling, Transition Words Checklist, Adding Details, Dialogue Test, Conferences/Revisions Test, Conferences/Revisions

Lessons 75-76 Lessons 77-79 Lessons 80-82 Lessons 83-85 Lessons 86-87 Lessons 88-89

SECTION 5: ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES AND STRATEGIES

33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Highlighter Activity, Last Minute Strategy, Race Against Clock You Write/They Write, Fancy Transitions, Opinion Vocabulary Fast Planning Practice, Quotes "I" Paragraph, "C" Paragraph, Middle Paragraphs State Rubrics, Elaborative Techniques, Test Taking Review, Difficult Prompt Writing a 4-paragraph Essay, Opinion Practice, Informative Practice Opinion Practice, Informative Practice Review Week

Lessons 90-92 Lessons 93-95 Lessons 96-98 Lessons 99-101 Lessons 102-105 Lessons 106-108 Lessons 109-112

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 23

Writing: Lesson 23 Today the students will be learning about informative writing prompts. 1. Explain informative writing and keywords to students. Informative writing is when you write to inform your reader about something. You read text and then write your essay based on what you read about in the text. The keywords for informative writing are: explain (explanatory), inform (informative), and teach If you see any of these words in the prompt, you know you are writing an informative essay. 2. Review example prompt with students. As an example, let’s say you read three articles about alligators. Let’s say one article is alligator habitats, one article is on the different species of alligators, and one article is on facts about alligators. Example prompt: Write an informative essay to present to your class about alligators. Use information from the passages in your essay.

3. Read the prompt to the students. Circle the key word. Keyword – inform (informative) 4. Discuss what the prompt is asking them to write about. This prompt is telling us to write an essay about alligators using the passages. So we know we have to find topics about alligators in the passages and write about those topics in our essay. 5. Let’s look at another example prompt Example prompt: Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about climates. Write to inform your reader about climates. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

Ask students: What is the keyword? Inform! Now what exactly do we have to write about? Climates! Can we just write about what we know about climates? No! We have to write about topics in the passages.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 23

6. Let’s look at another example. Example prompt: Write an informative essay on why alligators are considered endangered species. Use information from the passages in your essay.

Ask students: What is the keyword? Explain! Are we just writing about alligators again? No! This one is more specific. We cannot just write about alligators in general. We have to write about why alligators are considered endangered species. So we will have to read the passages and find topics that explain why alligators are considered endangered species. 7. Let’s look at two similar prompts and discuss the differences. Prompt A: Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about electricity. Write an informative essay about electricity. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages. Prompt B: Write an informative essay on the importance of electricity. Use information from the passages in your essay.

Ask students: What is the keyword for Prompt A? Inform (informative) What exactly is it asking us to write about? Electricity! Is it asking us to write about anything specific or just about electricity in general? Just about electricity! What is the keyword for Prompt B? Inform (informative) What exactly is it asking us to write about? Electricity! Is it asking us to write about anything specific or just about electricity in general? We have to write about the importance of electricity. See the difference?

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Lesson 23

8. Review these prompts and make sure the students see the difference and understand what each prompt is asking. 9. Hand out the “Guided Practice” worksheet. Have students work on this at their seats while you walk around and monitor. Have them circle the keyword first and then explain what the prompt is asking them to write about. After 10 minutes, go over the answers together. 10. Once you think they have a good understanding, give them the “Independent” worksheet. This should be completed independently and quietly.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Guided Practice

Lesson 23

Name:_______________________________

Directions: Read each prompt. Circle the keyword. Then explain what the prompt is asking you to write about.

1. W _ rite an informative essay to present to your class about the human body. Use information from the passages in your essay.

2. Write an informative essay about the effects your lungs and brain have on the rest of your body. Use information from the passages in your essay.

3. Write an informative essay to present to your class about magnetism. Use information from the passages in your essay.

4. Write an informative essay about the use of magnets and how magnetism occurs. Use information from the passages in your essay.

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Lesson 23

Independent Practice

Name:_______________________________

Directions: Read each prompt. Circle the keyword. Then explain what the prompt is asking you to write about.

1. Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about pilgrims. Write an explanatory essay about pilgrims. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

2. Write an informative essay about how the pilgrims arrived in New England to settle. Use information from the passages in your essay.

3. Write an informative essay about tornadoes. Use information from the passages in your essay.

4. W _ rite an informative essay about the effects tornadoes have on the world. Use information from the passages in your essay..

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 25

WRITING: LESSON 25 Today the students will practice planning for informative prompts in response to the text they read.

The following passages will be used in this lesson: Alligators at Risk Alligator Habitats

For informative writing, we will use an ITC outline to plan for our essay. Instead of reasons (R’s) we will list three topics (T’s). This is because, for informative writing, you will be coming up with three topics to inform your reader about (instead of reasons). Explain to students that for the writing test they will be given 2-4 passages to read that all have a similar topic/theme. After reading the text, they will be given a prompt that directs them to write something about what they just read. That is when they will need to plan their essay and then write a 5 paragraph essay just like they learned in the previous section. Here are a couple of examples to explain to the students: directed to write to the following prompt: Think about how you can make a difference in your community. Using information from the text, explain what work you would do and tell how this work would make a difference in your community. reading the passages you were given the following prompt: Write to inform your reader

about protecting animal habitats in a community.

As you can see, for both examples your prompt is based on what you just read. Instead of just writing about your favorite animal or special person in your life, you will be writing about the information you are given in the text. When planning, you will need to come up with your own three topics (T1, T2, and T3) based on the text.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 25

1. Read both passages aloud to the class (or you can read one aloud and have them independently read the other). 2. Write this prompt on the board:

Write an informative essay to present to your class about alligators. Use information from the passages in your essay.

3. I am using the ITC outline. Model planning for this prompt using the outline below.

**When planning for this, remind students that they are not coming up with three reasons. They are simply informing/explaining to the reader three things about alligators. They can pick any three things they want from the passages, but they have to make sure they are BIG (broad) things that they can write a lot about. **Every word on the planning outline MUST be from the passages. Example Planning: I T1 T2 T3 C

Alligators Species Type of Reptile 940L Habitats Alligators

a. American a. Cold Blooded a. Freshwater

b. Chinese b. Eggs b. Holes

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

T1 – Species Alligators at Risk 1 There are two species of known alligators in the world, the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. The American alligator can be found in the wetlands of the southern United States. These reptiles have been hunted for many years and, at one point, were close to extinction. In order to protect this species, they were listed under the Endangered Species Act, making hunting alligators illegal. Due to the efforts of the Endangered Species Act, the species has made a huge recovery and was taken off the endangered species list in 1987. Since the American alligator population has repopulated so well, hunting and egg collecting is once again allowed. 2 On the other hand, the Chinese alligator is a class one endangered species. The Chinese alligator can be found in the subtropical regions of China in low-lying areas such as rivers,

habitats comes largely from the conversion of the lands they inhabit being used for agricultural purposes. The Chinese alligator is very similar to the American alligator in appearance, but they are much smaller.

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Lesson 25

Top Score Writing – Grade 4 940L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

T2 – Type of Reptile A

What Are Reptiles? 3 Snakes, turtles, and lizards are reptiles. These animals are cold-blooded; this means their body temperature depends on their environment and their skin is covered with hard scales that serve as protection for the animal. They have to keep warm by laying in the sun. Since they do not burn too much energy to keep warm, they do not have to eat as much food as mammals or other warm-blooded animals. 4 Most reptiles lay eggs. Alligators tend to create nests from nearby vegetation to keep their eggs safe. The decomposing vegetation creates the heat needed to keep the eggs incubated. The sex of the baby alligators is determined by the temperature of the nest. If the nest is cooler, it will produce a clutch of female hatchlings, and if the temperature is above 93 degrees Fahrenheit, the eggs will produce male hatchlings. 940L Top Score Writing – Grade 4

American Alligator

Chinese Alligator

T3 – Habitats

An average adult American Alligator’s weight and length is 790 pounds and 13.1 feet

Rarely exceeds 6.9 feet in length and usually weighs less than 100 pounds

The body is fully armored, even Alligator Habitats under its belly

The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 19.2 feet

Adult alligators are black or 5 American alligators can bewith white dark olive-brown found in freshwater environments undersides like rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and marshes. They also like to live in areas that are brackish, which means the water is slightly higher in salt content than fresh water, but not salty like sea water. Alligators tend to stay in marshy areas during the breeding season. The wetlands make nest building much easier“Alligators at Risk” written for educational purposes. for the alligators and keep the 8 Top Writing,ideal Inc. © for 2020 No part of this document may be reproduced without written consent from the author. temperatures of Score the nests incubating their eggs.

6 Adult American alligators create holes in their swamp habitats. They construct these alligator holes by using their feet, tail, and snout. These holes create areas that help the alligator stay cool during hot weather. Alligator holes also provide habitats for other animals during droughts. 7

Other animals found in these types

and panthers. The types of animals found in these habitats depends on whether the swamp is a freshwater swamp or a saltwater swamp. These animals make this their home since they are able to live in lowoxygenated, slow-moving waters. 8

Many species of mammals, birds,

well in swamp ecosystems. These swamp amphibians lay their eggs in the nearby dry areas. When the eggs hatch, the young crawl into the water.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 25

Some things to discuss while writing this outline: (Think aloud as you write this.) -

My three topics are big topics that I can write a lot about. These are all main topics that are discussed in the passages.

My As and Bs are details/examples to discuss my three topics further.

4. Model the entire planning process to students. Read the passages out loud to students. As you come across each topic, explain that you are picking this topic because there is a lot of information about it. You want students to pick topics that have a lot of information so they have evidence to use in their essays. 5. Model putting a box around each topic and labeling it. 6. Make sure they understand that every word on the planning sheet MUST come from the text. Students cannot come up with their own topics. Remind them that this is text-based writing. 7. Let’s try another example using the following passages: The following passages will be used in this lesson: Climates: An Introduction Climate Zones

8. Read both passages. 9. Write this prompt on the board:

Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about climates. Write an explanatory essay about climates. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

10. Using the ITC outline, have students plan for this prompt (5-10 minutes). 11. Guide them through the passages. Remind them to find 3 BIG topics that they can write about. Make sure they box and label each of their topics.

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Lesson 25

Example: I. Climates T1. Factors T2. Tropical T3. Dry C. Climates

a. Latitude a. Sun a. Little Rain

b. Distance b. Habitats b. Cacti

12. After they have planned, share planning ideas and compile a list of examples and nonexamples on the board. Discuss what some good topics are (as well as ones that will not work) and make sure their A and B sentences make sense. Non-examples are essential to teaching! They must see what the “wrong” looks like and understand why it will not work. 13. Review today’s objective – planning for the informative/explanatory prompt. Explain that we are still using the ITC outline, we are just choosing three topics based on the text we are provided.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Document Camera

Lesson 25

Name: ______________________________

Directions: Plan for the following prompt. Write an informative essay to present to your class about alligators. Use information from the passages in your essay.

I ________________________________________________

T1_____________________

a. _________________ b. _________________

T2_____________________

a. _________________ b. _________________

T3_____________________

a. _________________ b. _________________

C _______________________________________________

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 25

Practice

Name: ______________________________

Directions: Plan for the following prompt. Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about climates. Write an explanatory essay about climates. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

I ________________________________________________

T1_____________________

a. _________________ b. _________________

T2_____________________

a. _________________ b. _________________

T3_____________________

a. _________________ b. _________________

C _______________________________________________

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940L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Alligators at Risk 1 There are two species of known alligators in the world, the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. The American alligator can be found in the wetlands of the southern United States. These reptiles have been hunted for many years and, at one point, were close to extinction. In order to protect this species, they were listed under the Endangered Species Act, making hunting alligators illegal. Due to the efforts of the Endangered Species Act, the species has made a huge recovery and was taken off the endangered species list in 1987. Since the American alligator population has repopulated so well, hunting and egg collecting is once again allowed. 2 On the other hand, the Chinese alligator is a class one endangered species. The Chinese alligator can be found in the subtropical regions of China in low-lying areas such as rivers, habitats comes largely from the conversion of the lands they inhabit being used for agricultural purposes. The Chinese alligator is very similar to the American alligator in appearance, but they are much smaller.

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940L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

American Alligator

Chinese Alligator

An average adult American alligator’s weight and length is 790 pounds and 13.1 feet

Rarely exceeds 6.9 feet in length and usually weighs less than 100 pounds

The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 19.2 feet

The body is fully armored, even under its belly

Adult alligators are black or dark olive-brown with white undersides

“Alligators at Risk” written for educational purposes.

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940L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Alligator Habitats 5 American alligators can be found in freshwater environments like rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and marshes. They also like to live in areas that are brackish, which means the water is slightly higher in salt content than fresh water, but not salty like sea water. Alligators tend to stay in marshy areas during the breeding season. The wetlands make nest building much easier for the alligators and keep the temperatures of the nests ideal for incubating their eggs. 6 Adult American alligators create holes in their swamp habitats. They construct these alligator holes by using their feet, tail, and snout. These holes create areas that help the alligator stay cool during hot weather. Alligator holes also provide habitats for other animals during droughts. 7

Other animals found in these types

Many species of mammals, birds,

well in swamp ecosystems. These swamp amphibians lay their eggs in the nearby dry areas. When the eggs hatch, the young crawl into the water.

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940L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Types of Reptiles Found in the Everglades 9 The Everglades National Park in Florida is a freshwater swamp and is home to hundreds of types of birds, many species of reptiles, the Florida black bear, and the Florida panther. Both the American crocodile and the American alligator coexist in the Everglades swamp. Florida weather makes this an ideal habitat for the alligator, as well as many other animals. 10 Turtles: The most common turtles found in a swamp-like habitat are the striped mud turtle commonly found along trails, the Peninsula Cooter often found in shark valley, and the Florida redbelly found in freshwater marshes. 11 Snakes: Most of the snakes found in the Everglades National Park are adapted is the best swimming snake in Florida, but

is not easy to spot since they spend their time in marsh plants. The brown water snake is seen often in plain view and sometimes mistaken for the poisonous Florida cottonmouth. 12 Amphibians: Amphibians are animals that spend the early part of their life in water using gills to breathe. They grow into adults that may live in water but use lungs for breathing. These include frogs, toads, and salamanders. Most commonly seen in the Florida Everglades is the grass frog which is the tiniest frog in North America, the pig frog whose grunt-like call can be heard day or night, and the dwarf siren salamander. 13 All of these reptiles have an important role to play in the habitat they live in.

“Alligator Habitats” written for educational purposes.

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880L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

(Source 1)

Climates: An Introduction 1

Climate is the pattern of

This is the distance of a place north or south from the equator2. The closer a region is to the equator, the hotter it is throughout the year. The farther away it is, the colder it is. In regions closer to the equator, the summers are shorter and cooler. As you approach the poles, the colder the winters become.

over a long period of time. People who study climate are called climatologists. What do these scientists look for when they study a region’s1 climate? Some of the things they measure include average rainfall, sunshine, winds, and temperature for the region.

This is the height of a place above sea level. Higher elevations are usually colder than lower elevations.

2 Climatologists also look at how each weather condition changes from month-to-month and year-to-year in a given region. For example, they look for patterns in the weather to determine if there are cold and hot seasons in the region, or if the temperatures stay pretty much the same all year long. 3

Large bodies of water such as oceans and lakes rise and drop in temperature more slowly than land. Due to this, areas near large bodies of water have milder winters and cooler summers. Water also warms or cools the air on the surface and helps to keep temperatures comfortable.

Keeping track of climates is a very

that can make climates vary from place to place.

region – any large part of the Earth’s surface

equator – an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, halfway between the North and South Poles

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880L

Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Air cannot pass through mountains. Instead, it rises and cools as it travels up the side of a mountain. The cool air causes water in the air to become cold. Then, the water falls as rain. All of the rain stays on the same side of the mountain causing the other side of the mountain to be dry and even become a desert. Several major belts of wind blow around the earth. They blow from different directions. As they do, they distribute cool air, heat, and moisture to different parts of the world. 4

The world is divided into different climate zones based on similar weather patterns. The weather patterns in a climate zone affect the types of vegetation3 and animals found there. For example, roses could never survive at the South Pole, which is covered in ice. It is too cold there, and penguins could never survive in a region with an arid4 climate. These climate zones tend to have similar animals and vegetation.

vegetation – plant life

arid – having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

(Source 2)

Climate Zones

5 The Earth’s surface is made up of many different climates. Climatologists (scientists who study climates) have organized the climates by grouping similar ones. Each region is grouped by similar kinds of vegetation, temperature, and precipitation5. Here’s a look at some of the major groups.

Tropical Climates 6 Near the equator is the tropical climate zone. Tropical climates get a lot of sunlight and are very warm. Some places often experience heavy rainfall, making this zone very wet and humid. This climate zone makes it perfect for rainforests. Hot and muggy conditions provide an ideal habitat6 beetles, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals.

precipitation – moisture in the form of rain, snow, sleet, ice or hail

habitat – the place where an animal or plant naturally grows

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Dry or Desert Climates 7 Zones with dry climates receive very little rain. Usually, the average rainfall for an entire year is less than 10 inches. Sometimes it is so hot in a desert that when rain does fall, it can evaporate even before it reaches the ground. Hot deserts often receive a lot of sunlight because extremely cold. Very little plant life survives in the desert. Cacti are one exception. The cactus plant has evolved7 so that it stores water during periods of drought8. The stem of the cactus stores water and allows very little to leave the plant. Some famous deserts include the Sahara in northern Africa and the Mojave in the United States.

Moderate Climates 8 Areas with moderate or temperate climates have winters that are cool and dry and summers that are warm and wet. Neither season in this zone has very hot or very cold temperatures. There are many plants and animal species that do very well in these climates. Most of the United States falls into this climate zone.

Polar Climates 9 Have you ever heard of the polar ice caps? The ice caps are found at the North and South Pole and are always covered in ice or snow. They are the places with the coldest climates on Earth. These places get less of the sun’s direct warmth because of the tilt of Earth’s axis causing it to be dark for six months out of the year. Temperatures are extremely low during winter. Precipitation is rare and almost always in the form of snow.

evolved – to gradually develop characteristics that will help a species survive in an environment

drought – a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this

“Climate Zones” written for educational purposes.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 27

Writing: Lesson 27 Today students will be learning how to write the “I” paragraph for an informative essay. The introduction paragraph is 3-4 sentences. There are many different ways to set up an introduction paragraph. The key is to make sure you introduce the controlling idea and topics that will be discussed in the essay. 1. Remind students that the “I” paragraph should be kept short and simple. Today we will review one way to write the introduction paragraph. Write the following on the board: “I” Paragraph 1. Hook 2. 3 Reasons/Topics 3. Closing Statement

Teachers: Please note that there are many different ways to write an introduction paragraph. This is just one way. Feel free to call these sentences something different, add sentences, or change the order. The goal is to have 3-5 sentences and to introduce the topic.

2. Let’s start with the first sentence. This is called your Hook. This is where you want to “hook” your reader and catch their attention. If you start with a boring sentence, your reader is not going to be interested. There are many different types of Hooks you can use when writing an informative/explanatory essay. 3. Write on the board: Different Types of Hooks for Informative Writing 1. Ask a question 2. Make a strong statement about the topic 3. Restate the prompt in your own words 4. Personal story 5. Set the scene 6. Share a fact or definition *make an anchor chart of the different types of hooks 4. Let’s take a look at the passages about alligators that we read the other day.

The following passages will be used in this lesson: Alligators at Risk Alligator Habitats PROMPT:

Write an informative essay to present to your class about alligators. Use information from the passages in your essay.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 27

5. Look at the prompt and review the different ways to write a hook. Remind them that you can ask a question in many different ways. - Did you know that alligators are very interesting creatures? - How much do you know about alligators? - Did you know that alligators are at risk? - Did you know that the largest ever recorded alligator measured 19.2 feet? (interesting fact from passage) 6. We could also restate the prompt in a different way. - Alligators are a fascinating sight to see and explore! - Alligators are interesting reptiles that can grow very large! 7. Or you could make a simple statement about the topic you are about to write about. - Most people do not realize there are different types of alligators in the world. - Alligators are very interesting creatures. Take a look at our planning for the prompt: I T1 T2 T3 C

Alligators Species Type of Reptile Habitats Alligators

a. American a. Cold Blooded a. Freshwater

b. Chinese b. Eggs b. Holes

***When writing the “I” Paragraph, make sure you are color coding each sentence. For example, write the Hook in red, the three topics in blue, and the Closing Sentence in green. This way they can visually see the three parts of the “I” Paragraph. “I” Paragraph 1. Hook 2. 3 Reasons/Topics 3. Closing Statement 8. Which Hook do you want to use? (Pick one as a class and write it on the board or document camera.) 9. Now the next sentence for I is your “3 Topics” sentence. For informative prompts they are not reasons, they are topics. So this is where you state your three topics. What are our three topics? (They should answer – Species, Type of Reptile, and Habitats.) 10. So our second sentence will look something like this – Alligators are interesting because there are two different species, they are a type of reptile, and they live in various habitats.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 27

11. Let’s look at our last sentence. This is called our Closing Statement. This is just a general statement about your topic. For this sentence, you can also take words/sentences from the passages…just make sure you put it in your own words. (Do not copy word-for-word!) Let me give you some examples: - Alligators aren’t as scary once you learn more about them. - Alligators are amazing creatures! 12. So as a class, let’s decide what our Closing Statement is going to be. 13. Now let’s put it all together and check it. - Do we have a Hook? - Did we state our three reasons/topics? - Do we have a Closing Statement? Here is an example of what your final “I” Paragraph should look like: Did you know that the largest ever recorded alligator measured 19.2 feet? Alligators are interesting because there are two different species, they are a type of reptile, and they live in various habitats. Alligators aren’t as scary once you learn more about them. 14. Let’s quickly do one more together, and then you try one on your own. 15. Hand out “I” Paragraph worksheet titled “Model/Work Together” in the left-hand corner. 16. As a class, work together to plan and come up with an “I” Paragraph. Make sure you color code the three parts. Example: How much do you know about climates around the world? Many factors make the climate vary from place to place and create different kinds of climate including tropical and dry. Learning about climates can teach us a lot about a place! 17. Then have students work on the next “I” Paragraph worksheet titled “Guided Practice.” Example: Magnets come in so many shapes and sizes! They are described as a force, there are different types, and they are everywhere. They are a part of our everyday life! 18. Assist students through planning and writing the “I” Paragraph (as needed) for this prompt.

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Lesson 27

Model/Work Together

Name:_______________________________ “I” Paragraph

The following passages will be used in this lesson: Climates: An Introduction Climate Zones

Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about climates. Write an explanatory essay about climates. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

I_______________________________________________________________ T1____________________________

a._______________________

b._______________________ T2____________________________

a._______________________

b._______________________ T3____________________________

a._______________________

b._______________________ C______________________________________________________________

Now write the “I” Paragraph:

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Lesson 27

Guided Practice

Name:_______________________________ “I” Paragraph The following passages will be used in this lesson: Magnetism What are Magnets?

Write an informative essay to present to your class about magnetism. Use information from the passages in your essay.

I_______________________________________________________________ T1____________________________

a._______________________

b._______________________ T2____________________________

a._______________________

b._______________________ T3____________________________

a._______________________

b._______________________ C______________________________________________________________

Now write the “I” Paragraph:

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American Alligator

Chinese Alligator

An average adult American alligator’s weight and length is 790 pounds and 13.1 feet

Rarely exceeds 6.9 feet in length and usually weighs less than 100 pounds

The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 19.2 feet

The body is fully armored, even under its belly

Adult alligators are black or dark olive-brown with white undersides

“Alligators at Risk” written for educational purposes.

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Other animals found in these types

Many species of mammals, birds,

well in swamp ecosystems. These swamp amphibians lay their eggs in the nearby dry areas. When the eggs hatch, the young crawl into the water.

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“Alligator Habitats” written for educational purposes.

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(Source 1)

Climates: An Introduction 1

Climate is the pattern of

This is the height of a place above sea level. Higher elevations are usually colder than lower elevations.

Keeping track of climates is a very

that can make climates vary from place to place.

region – any large part of the Earth’s surface

equator – an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, halfway between the North and South Poles

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vegetation – plant life

arid – having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation

“Climates: An Introduction” written for educational purposes.

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(Source 2)

Climate Zones

precipitation – moisture in the form of rain, snow, sleet, ice or hail

habitat – the place where an animal or plant naturally grows

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evolved – to gradually develop characteristics that will help a species survive in an environment

drought – a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this

“Climate Zones” written for educational purposes.

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Magnetism

1 Magnets come in many sizes and are very diverse1. The most commonly seen magnets are in the shapes of bars or disks. Because they stick to certain metals, they are used to fasten and latch things, like a cabinet door. Horseshoe magnets have a U shape. They are used to move iron and steel scraps. 2 Magnets are everywhere. They help to make life more convenient2. For example, you may have seen your teacher using magnets to help keep important papers upon his/her whiteboard. You may also have magnets on your refrigerator door at home keeping doctor appointments visible. You may also have seen them attached to the back of cars in the shapes of ribbons. 3 Many electrical motors also use magnets. They require the help of electromagnets to run. The force that runs the motor is created by a magnet sending an electrical current through a coil of wire. Motors with electromagnets help run household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers. The same electromagnetic force is also used in the motors of cars, trains, and airplanes.

Magnets are so useful that they’re

Huge magnets in a special machine can give doctors a detailed3 view of what is inside your body. The doctors use these pictures having to make an incision4. The use of the machine is also more cost effective for the patient. 5 The use of magnets only continues to grow as new inventions are made. In Japan, magnets are being used in some remarkable new ways. For example, Japan now has a train that runs on magnets. It just hovers over the tracks. The magnetic force created between the train and the tracks allows the train to ride smoother and faster.

diverse – very different

2 3

detailed – having many details or facts, showing attention to detail

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What are Magnets?

6 Have you ever wondered how a magnet works? What makes metal objects attract to a magnet and why do magnets repel each other? The answer is magnetism. 7 is “a physical phenomenon produced by the motion of electric charge, resulting in attractive and repulsive forces between objects.” In other words, magnetism is a force that can pull together or push away objects. All magnets have a north pole and a south

pole. If different poles of two magnets are placed close to each other they will attract, but same poles will repel. 8 When it comes to magnets, opposites attract. Each magnet has a north pole and south pole, and only the opposite ends of magnets will attract other magnets. Placing the ends north to north or south to south will result in repulsion5.

repulsion – to move away from each other

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Types of Magnets 9 Permanent Magnets are the most commonly seen magnets. These are the ones They are said to be permanent because once they are magnetized, they maintain their magnetism. 10 Temporary Magnets are those objects that act like a permanent magnet this time they are charged and will be attracted to another magnet. An example of a temporary magnet would be paper clips, nails, and other soft metal objects. These objects are considered to be magnetized for a short time making them a temporary magnet.

11 Electromagnets are a temporary magnet made by coiling wire around an iron becomes a magnet. The main advantage of an electromagnet is that the magnetic it. However, unlike a permanent magnet that needs no power, an electromagnet requires a continuous supply of current to maintain the are generators, blenders, washing machines, and other household appliances.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 29

Writing: Lesson 29 Today the students will learn how to write a Topic sentence in an informative essay.

The following passages will be used in this lesson: Alligators at Risk Alligator Habitats

1. Yesterday we went over how to write our introduction paragraph. 2. The next three paragraphs are our middle paragraphs. We call them T1, T2, and T3. 3. The first sentence of each middle paragraph is called the TOPIC sentence. 4. Take a look at the “example essay.” The Topic sentence for T1, T2, and T3 is underlined and bolded. Notice that it is the first sentence of each middle paragraph. 5. When writing the middle paragraphs, we start with the “T” sentence (Topic sentence). Today we are going to work on writing really good Topic sentences that tell our reader exactly what topic we are going to be talking about in that paragraph. 6. Your topic sentence should have three parts: 1. Transition word 2. Prompt 3. Topic of paragraph

First, there are two different species of alligators. Transition Word

Topic #1

Prompt

7. Let’s take a look at an example and non-example of topic sentences using the planning below about alligators (show example A and B under document camera): I T1 T2 T3 C

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Alligators Species Type of Reptile Habitats Alligators

a. American a. Cold-Blooded a. Freshwater

b. Chinese b. Eggs b. Holes

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 29

8. What do you think about the Topic sentence in example A? What about example B? (Go over the differences in A and B and which one they think is a better written Topic sentence.) 9. In example A, the prompt is not written anywhere. It should say “alligators” in the Topic sentence because that is what the prompt is about. Example A is also way too short and choppy. Your topic sentence needs to be a long and complete sentence that clearly states the topic of the paragraph. 10. In example B, you can see the transition word, prompt, and topic #1 (underline three parts for students to see). 11. Let’s practice another one. Take a look at the planning again for the alligator prompt. What is our T2? Let’s try writing a good Topic sentence for T2. Remember, we must include all three parts of the sentence (transition, prompt, and topic). Example T2 Topic sentence:

Second, alligators are a type of reptile. 12. Now I want you to try to write the Topic sentence for T3 on your own. Remember to make sure you have a transition word, prompt, and state the topic of that paragraph. Example T3 Topic sentence:

Third, alligators live in various habitats. 13. Let’s do a quick review. What are the three parts of a Topic sentence? (transition, prompt, topic) 14. Now I want you to try this on your own. (Hand out Classwork Assignment.) 15. Write the Topic sentences for T1, T2, and T3. (Review topic sentences with students and share examples and non-examples.) 16. Hand out homework assignment.

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Lesson 29

Example Essay

Example Essay Did you know that the largest ever recorded alligator measured 19.2 feet? Alligators are interesting because there are two different species, they are a type of reptile, and they live in various habitats. Alligators aren’t as scary once you learn more about them. First, there are two different species of alligators. The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator, and that is because there are many that live right in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. The American alligator can be found in the wetlands of the southern United States, in North America. It is hard to believe that these animals were once close to extinction because I have seen so many around where I live. The American alligator was listed under the Endangered Species Act, and it was illegal to hunt them. As a result of the Act, the alligators have a high enough population to be taken off of the endangered species list in 1987. Another type of alligator species is the American alligator. The American alligator is very similar to the American alligator in appearance. However, these reptiles are much smaller. This species is not as familiar to me as the American alligator because it is only located in China, and I have never seen one in real life. There are also far fewer American alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered. Alligators are fascinating animals, and it is important to know the similarities and differences between the two species. Second, alligators are a type of reptile. Alligators fall into the category of reptiles because they are cold-blooded, unlike humans. Cold-blooded means their body temperature depends on their environment. They have to keep warm by laying in the sun. I have seen alligators spending most of the day sunbathing along the banks of the wetlands. I think the strong sun and warmer weather is why they prefer to live in the Southeast. Similarly, alligators are classified as reptiles because they lay eggs in nests. Baby alligators are either male or female based on the temperature of the nest that the eggs are in. If the nest is above 93 degrees, the eggs will be male, and if it is cooler than that, the eggs will end up being female. After learning about the characteristics of reptiles, I can understand why alligators are classified this way. Third, alligators live in various habitats. You can find alligators in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, and marshes, as well as brackish habitats such as swamps. Brackish means the water is slightly higher in salt content than fresh water, but not salty like seawater. Of all of the places alligators prefer to live, none of them are purely salt water. It would be extremely rare to find an alligator at the beach. Another habitat alligators live in are holes that they create in swamps. They construct these alligator holes by using their feet, tail, and snout. I can imagine alligators burrowing themselves down in the cool, wet sand. Alligator holes are very useful because they help alligators keep cool in the hot weather and also camouflage them from their prey so that they can capture meals easily. It is important to know where alligators like to live so that we can make sure we protect those areas from destruction. In conclusion, alligators are remarkable because there are two different species, they are a type of reptile, and they live in various habitats. I think everyone should learn more about alligators so they can understand this mysterious creature. Alligators are an important part of their ecosystem. 162

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 29

Document Camera I T1 T2 T3 C

Alligators Species Type of Reptile Habitats Alligators

a. American a. Cold-blooded a. Freshwater

b. Chinese b. Eggs b. Holes

Example A: First, there are species. The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator, and that is because there are many that live right in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. The American alligator can be found in the wetlands of the southern United States, in North America. It is hard to believe that these animals were once close to extinction because I have seen so many around where I live. The American alligator was listed under the Endangered Species Act, and it was illegal to hunt them. As a result of the Act, the alligators have a high enough population to be taken off of the endangered species list in 1987. Another type of alligator species is the American alligator. The American alligator is very similar to the American alligator in appearance. However, these reptiles are much smaller. This species is not as familiar to me as the American alligator because it is only located in China and I have never seen one in real life. There are also far fewer American alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered. Alligators are fascinating animals, and it is important to know the similarities and differences between the two species.

Example B: First, there are two different species of alligators. The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator, and that is because there are many that live right in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. The American alligator can be found in the wetlands of the southern United States, in North America. It is hard to believe that these animals were once close to extinction because I have seen so many around where I live. The American alligator was listed under the Endangered Species Act, and it was illegal to hunt them. As a result of the Act, the alligators have a high enough population to be taken off of the endangered species list in 1987. Another type of alligator species is the American alligator. The American alligator is very similar to the American alligator in appearance. However, these reptiles are much smaller. This species is not as familiar to me as the American alligator because it is only located in China and I have never seen one in real life. There are also far fewer American alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered. Alligators are fascinating animals, and it is important to know the similarities and differences between the two species.

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Lesson 29

Classwork Assignment

Name:_______________________________

Directions: Using the prompt and planning below, write the topic sentences for the T1, T2, and T3 paragraphs of this essay. The following passages will be used in this lesson: Climates: An Introduction Climate Zones

Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about climates. Write an explanatory essay about climates. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

I T1 T2 T3 C

Climates Factors Tropical Dry Climates

a. Latitude a. Sun a. Little Rain

b. Distance b. Habitats b. Cacti

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 29

Homework

Name:_______________________________

Directions: Using the prompt and planning below, write the topic sentences for the T1, T2, and T3 paragraphs of this essay. The following passages will be used in this lesson: Magnetism What are Magnets?

Write an informative essay to present to your class about magnetism. Use information from the passages in your essay.

I Magnetism T1 Force T2 Types T3 Everywhere C Magnetism

a. Created a. Permanent a. Convenient

b. Poles b. Temporary b. Useful

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American Alligator

Chinese Alligator

An average adult American alligator’s weight and length is 790 pounds and 13.1 feet

Rarely exceeds 6.9 feet in length and usually weighs less than 100 pounds

The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 19.2 feet

The body is fully armored, even under its belly

Adult alligators are black or dark olive-brown with white undersides

“Alligators at Risk” written for educational purposes.

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Other animals found in these types

Many species of mammals, birds,

well in swamp ecosystems. These swamp amphibians lay their eggs in the nearby dry areas. When the eggs hatch, the young crawl into the water.

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“Alligator Habitats” written for educational purposes.

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(Source 1)

Climates: An Introduction 1

Climate is the pattern of

This is the height of a place above sea level. Higher elevations are usually colder than lower elevations.

Keeping track of climates is a very

that can make climates vary from place to place.

region – any large part of the Earth’s surface

equator – an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, halfway between the North and South Poles

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vegetation – plant life

arid – having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation

“Climates: An Introduction” written for educational purposes.

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(Source 2)

Climate Zones

precipitation – moisture in the form of rain, snow, sleet, ice or hail

habitat – the place where an animal or plant naturally grows

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evolved – to gradually develop characteristics that will help a species survive in an environment

drought – a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this

“Climate Zones” written for educational purposes.

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Magnetism

Magnets are so useful that they’re

diverse – very different

2 3

detailed – having many details or facts, showing attention to detail

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What are Magnets?

repulsion – to move away from each other

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 30

Writing: Lesson 30 Today the students will practice writing their three middle paragraphs for an informative essay. The three middle paragraphs will have about seven sentences: Topic sentence, 3-4 sentences about A, and 3-4 sentences about B.

The following passages will be used in this lesson: Alligators at Risk Alligator Habitats

Write an informative essay to present to your class about alligators. Use information from the passages in your essay.

1. Let’s start with an example using the two passages about alligators. 2. We will use the same planning as yesterday. (Write planning on board.) I T1 T2 T3 C

Alligators Species Type of Reptile Habitats Alligators

a. American a. Cold-blooded a. Freshwater

b. Chinese b. Eggs b. Holes

3. Now, using the document camera, let’s begin to write the essay. 4. Remember, each middle paragraph will have about seven sentences: Topic sentence, 3-4 sentences about A, and 3-4 sentences about B. 5. Starting with “I,” ask the students what we write in this paragraph. They should answer: Hook, 3 topics, and Closing Statement. 6. Write the “I” Paragraph (color-code). Example: Did you know that the largest ever recorded alligator measured 19.2 feet? Alligators are interesting because there are two different species, they are a type of reptile, and they live in various habitats. Alligators aren’t as scary once you learn more about them. **When modeling the T1, T2, and T3 paragraphs, we are going to color-code the sentences. Your T sentence will be in one color, your 3-4 sentences about A will be in another color, and your 3-4 sentences about B will be in a third color. Please make sure you always color-code.

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Lesson 30

7. Now we move on to T1. The first sentence is called our Topic sentence. This is where you tell your reader what the topic is going to be for the paragraph. Our first topic is going to be about the different species of alligators. So our sentence will read: First, there are two different species of alligators in the world. **Make sure that they realize that for the Topic sentence they do not want to start talking about American or Chinese. That is for our A and B sentences. Our topic sentence should state the first topic of our essay (species). 8. Write that sentence in the T1 box. 9. Now we are going to write six more sentences under T1. 10. We are going to write three sentences about our A (American) and three sentences about our B (Chinese). Remind students to look at their planning to see what their As and Bs are. 11. So let’s come up with 3-4 sentences for A. Remember, we want to use the story to come up with these sentences. But we HAVE to put it in our own words. 12. You want to teach your reader all about the different species of alligators. **Here is the most important part of this lesson: Your A and B sentences HAVE to come from information in the story. You cannot make up information about alligators. The information HAS to come from the text in your OWN words. Please make sure you constantly point this out as you are teaching/modeling. Keep the text under the document camera and underline where you are getting the information from and how you are putting it in your own words.** -

We have to write 3 sentences about A. Our first sentence about A should tell our reader what our A is (American). So write…The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator. Now we have to teach/explain to our reader about the American alligator. **Look back in the text.** - So write…The American alligator lives in the wetlands of the Southern United States. It was listed under the Endangered Species Act, and it was illegal to hunt them. 13. Do we have 3 sentences about A? Yes! Here they are: The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator. The American alligator lives in the wetlands of the Southern United States. It was listed under the Endangered Species Act, and it was illegal to hunt them. - Look closely, our first sentence about A tells our reader what A is. - Then, the next two sentences teach our reader about A.

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Lesson 30

14. Now we have to write three sentences about B (Chinese). - Our first sentence about B should do what? (Tell our reader what B is) - So write…Another type of alligator species is the Chinese alligator. - Our next 2-3 sentences have to give more information about it. - So write…The Chinese alligator looks very similar to the American alligator. However, these reptiles are much smaller. There are also far fewer Chinese alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered. 15. Do we have three sentences about B? Yes! Here they are: Another type of alligator species is the Chinese alligator. The Chinese alligator looks very similar to the American alligator. However, these reptiles are much smaller. There are also far fewer Chinese alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered. - Look closely, our first sentence about B tells our reader what B is. - Then, the next two sentences give more information about it. 16. So now our T1 paragraph should have seven sentences: Topic Sentence 3 Sentences about A 3 Sentences about B First, there are two different species of alligators in the world. The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator. The American alligator lives in the wetlands of the Southern United States. It was listed under the Endangered Species Act, and it was illegal to hunt them. Another type of alligator species is the Chinese alligator. The Chinese alligator looks very similar to the American alligator. However, these reptiles are much smaller. There are also far fewer Chinese alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered. My topic sentence is in red. The three sentences about A are in blue. The three sentences about B are in green. • The first sentence (First, there are two different species of alligators in the world) is called the T sentence. The T stands for Topic. • The next three sentences are called 3A, because they are three sentences about A. • The next three sentences are called 3B, because they are three sentences about B. **Please make sure students know that they can write more than three sentences. Three is just the minimum. Try to emphasize and model with more sentences so they can see how this is done. 17. So the T1 paragraph now has 7-8 sentences…T, 3A, and 3B. 18. Now we will do the same for T2. Let’s work on this one together.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 30

19. Let’s start with the first sentence. What is this sentence called? (T sentence) 20. What should it start with? (Second) 21. It should say: Second, alligators are animals classified as reptiles. 22. The next sentences are 3A. We need to write three sentences about A (cold-blooded). - Remember, our first sentence tells our reader what A is. Then we write two sentences to give more information to our reader about A. - So for the first sentence, let’s say…Alligators fall into the category of reptiles because they are cold-blooded. - Now let’s give our reader more information about these reptiles being cold-blooded. - So write…Cold-blooded means their environment controls their body temperature, and they have scales for protection. When their body temperature is too low, they warm up by laying in the sun. **Make a point to show students how you went into the passage and changed things into your own words.** 23. Do we have three sentences about A? (Yes) Alligators fall into the category of reptiles because they are cold-blooded. Cold-blooded means their environment controls their body temperature, and they have scales for protection. When their body temperature is too low, they warm up by laying in the sun. - Did the first sentence tell our reader what A is? (Yes) - Did our next 2-3 sentences give our reader more information? (Yes) 24. Now we write 3B, which is three sentences about B (eggs). Example: Similarly, alligators are classified as reptiles because they lay eggs in nests. Baby alligators are either male or female based on the temperature of the nest that the eggs are in. If the nest is above 93 degrees, the eggs will be male, and if it is cooler than that, the eggs will end up being female. 25. Our T2 should now have seven sentences (T, 3A, and 3B) and should look something like this: Second, alligators are animals classified as reptiles. Alligators fall into the category of reptiles because they are cold-blooded. Cold-blooded means their environment controls their body temperature, and they have scales for protection. When their body temperature is too low, they warm up by laying in the sun. Similarly, alligators are classified as reptiles because they lay eggs in nests. Baby alligators are either male or female based on the temperature of the nest that the eggs are in. If the nest is above 93 degrees, the eggs will be male, and if it is cooler than that, the eggs will end up being female. Top Score Writing, Inc. © 2020

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Lesson 30

***My topic sentence is in red, my 3A are in blue, and my 3B are in green. 26. Follow the same steps for T3. Here is an example of what T3 should look like: Third, alligators are adapted to live in various habitats. You can find alligators in freshwater habitats like rivers as well as brackish habitats such as swamps. Brackish means the water is saltier than fresh water but not as salty as seawater. Freshwater and brackish water habitats are the perfect places for alligators to live and lay eggs. Another habitat alligators live in are holes that they create in swamps. They dig these holes by using their body parts such as their feet and tail. Alligator holes are very useful because they help alligators keep cool in the hot weather and also camouflage them from their prey so that they can capture meals easily. 27. Hand out “Practice Worksheet. Let students begin working on it. Whatever is not finished in class, allow them to take home and finish for homework.

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Lesson 30

Teacher Copy

**This is a teacher copy of the completed essay after today’s lesson

Did you know that the largest ever recorded alligator measured 19.2 feet? Alligators are interesting because there are two different species, they are a type of reptile, and they live in various habitats. Alligators aren’t as scary once you learn more about them.

First, there are actually two different species of alligators in the world. The most well-known type of alligator is the American alligator. The American alligator lives in the wetlands of the Southern United States. It was listed under the Endangered Species Act and it was illegal to hunt them. Another type of alligator species is the Chinese alligator. The Chinese alligator looks very similar to the American alligator. However, these reptiles are much smaller. There are also far fewer Chinese alligators than American alligators because they are listed as critically endangered.

Second, alligators are animals classified as reptiles. Alligators fall into the category of reptiles because they are cold-blooded. Cold-blooded means their environment controls their body temperature and they have scales for protection. When their body temperature is too low, they warm up by laying in the sun. Similarly, alligators are classified as reptiles because they lay eggs in nests. Baby alligators are either male or female based on the temperature of the nest that the eggs are in. If the nest is above 93 degrees, the eggs will be male, and if it is cooler than that, the eggs will end up being female.

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Lesson 30

Third, alligators are adapted to live in various habitats. You can find alligators in fresh water habitats like rivers as well as brackish habitats such as swamps. Brackish means the water is saltier than fresh water but not as salty as seawater. Fresh water and brackish water habitats are the perfect places for alligators to live and lay eggs. Another habitat alligators live in are holes that they create in swamps. They dig these holes by using their body parts such as their feet and tail. Alligator holes are very useful because they help alligators keep cool in the hot weather and also camouflage them from their prey so that they can capture meals easily.

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 30

Student Practice/Homework

Name:_______________________________

The following passages will be used in this lesson: Climates, an Introduction Climate Zones

Your teacher has asked that you write a paper about climates. Write an explanatory essay about climates. Your essay must be based on ideas and information from the passages.

I_________________________________________________

T1______________________

a.__________________

b.__________________

T2______________________

a.__________________

b.__________________

T3______________________

a.__________________

b.__________________

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 30

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

Lesson 30

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

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Top Score Writing – Grade 4

American Alligator

Chinese Alligator

An average adult American alligator’s weight and length is 790 pounds and 13.1 feet

Rarely exceeds 6.9 feet in length and usually weighs less than 100 pounds

The largest ever recorded, found in Louisiana, measured 19.2 feet

The body is fully armored, even under its belly

Adult alligators are black or dark olive-brown with white undersides

“Alligators at Risk” written for educational purposes.

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Other animals found in these types

Many species of mammals, birds,

well in swamp ecosystems. These swamp amphibians lay their eggs in the nearby dry areas. When the eggs hatch, the young crawl into the water.

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“Alligator Habitats” written for educational purposes.

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(Source 1)

Climates: An Introduction 1

Climate is the pattern of

This is the height of a place above sea level. Higher elevations are usually colder than lower elevations.

Keeping track of climates is a very

that can make climates vary from place to place.

region – any large part of the Earth’s surface

equator – an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, halfway between the North and South Poles

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vegetation – plant life

arid – having little or no rain; too dry or barren to support vegetation

“Climates: An Introduction” written for educational purposes.

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(Source 2)

Climate Zones

precipitation – moisture in the form of rain, snow, sleet, ice or hail

habitat – the place where an animal or plant naturally grows

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evolved – to gradually develop characteristics that will help a species survive in an environment

drought – a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall; a shortage of water resulting from this

“Climate Zones” written for educational purposes.

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