Curriculum / ELA / 4th Grade / Unit 1: Finding Fortune: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon / Lesson 8
ELA
Unit 1
4th Grade
Lesson 8 of 28
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Analyze the significance of "The Story of the Paper of Happiness."
Book: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin — Ch. 14-15
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Tasks that represents the peak thinking of the lesson - mastery will indicate whether or not objective was achieved
Summarize "The Story of the Paper of Happiness." How does it influence Ba and Ma?
An example response to the Target Task at the level of detail expected of the students.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
How does Minli outwit the monkeys?
What description does Grace Lin include to show how Minli and the monkeys are feeling? Identify at least two details for each character.
Grace Lin uses the words awed and astonished to describe the emissary and the magistrate's reactions to the family. Why does she pick these words?
Describe what happens to the paper containing the secret of happiness. How does the magistrate respond?
Why does the Magistrate think he has been deceived? What does he do as a result?
How is Ma changing?
Assess student understanding and monitor progress toward this lesson's objective with an Exit Ticket.
Literary terms, text-based vocabulary, idioms and word parts to be taught with the text
humbly
adj.
(p. 85)
having belief you are not better than others
enraged
(p. 84)
very angry
deceive
v.
(p. 86)
to make someone believe something that isn't true, to trick someone
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RL.4.2 — Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL.4.3 — Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
Standards that are practiced daily but are not priority standards of the unit
L.4.4 — Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.4.5 — Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
RF.4.3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.
RF.4.4 — Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
RL.4.1 — Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
RL.4.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.4.10 — By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4—5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.
SL.4.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
W.4.10 — Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Lesson 7
Lesson 9
Describe Fruitless Mountain and Minli’s family.
RL.4.3
Describe why Minli and her family act in certain ways.
Describe why Minli acts in certain ways.
RL.4.3 RL.4.4
Writing – 2 days
Write a paragraph that describes Minli.
L.4.1.a L.4.1.f L.4.2.c W.4.1.a W.4.1.b
Describe how Ma and Ba are feeling and why.
Describe how Dragon was born and why the author includes this story.
RL.4.3 SL.4.1 SL.4.1.c
Analyze the Goldfish Man’s perspective on fortune and if it is similar to Ma and Ba’s.
RL.4.2 RL.4.3
Explain what the quote "I'll find a way" shows about Minli.
Describe how Minli is beginning to change.
Analyze how Minli’s parents and Minli are starting to transform through their relationships with others.
Describe the king.
L.4.1.a L.4.1.f L.4.2.c W.4.1 W.4.1.a W.4.1.b
Summarize how Dragon ended up with the borrowed line.
Explain why Minli feels ashamed and how she is changing.
Summarize how the girl outsmarted the tiger.
Explain what Minli might learn from the twins and grandfather.
Describe the gift the people of Moon Rain give Minli and why it is an example of true generosity.
Describe what idea Minli puts into action to get the message to the Old Man of the Moon and where the idea came from.
Explain what lesson the Old Man of the Moon is trying to teach Wu Kang and how it connects to Minli’s quest for fortune.
Explain how Ma changes.
Explain how Minli came to realize that she already had the best fortune.
Analyze how Minli knew that all of her questions had been answered.
Writing
L.4.1.a L.4.1.f L.4.2.c RL.4.3 W.4.1.a W.4.1.b
Discussion
Debate two essential questions using evidence and arguments from the entire unit and personal experience.
SL.4.1 SL.4.1.c SL.4.2
Opinion Writing – 4 days
Write a persuasive letter from the perspective of one of the characters, asking the reader to agree with your point of view.
SL.4.1 W.4.1 W.4.1.a W.4.1.b W.4.1.c W.4.4 W.4.5 W.4.9
Assessment
Narrative Writing – 4 days
Write a narrative story that recounts a moment on Minli’s journey where things go wrong.
L.4.1.g L.4.2.b L.4.3 W.4.3.a W.4.3.b W.4.3.d
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