CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.2
Description:
Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
2A, 2B, 2C
Exemplars
2A: Determining Main Idea
2A: Determining Main Idea
Description:
Determining Main Idea and Themes
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
D-5
D-5
Grade level: 4
Word count: 1577 words
Author: Mary Dunn
Synopsis: Things are not going right for Peter--not at all. But it's nothing a few jelly beans can't fix.
Excerpt:
No excerpt is available for this question.
Question:
This selection is mainly about
- how things sometimes turn out better than you expect them to.
- how to make a great pot of soup by adding surprising things.
- two people who don't get along but have to spend the day together.
- learning how to live without peanut butter for one day.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Write an email to a friend and describe a selection you read.
Evaluator
Organization:
Curriculum Design Institute
2B: Analyzing Relative Importance
2B: Analyzing Relative Importance
Description:
Determining Relative Importance
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
D-5
D-5
Grade level: 4
Word count: 1577 words
Author: Mary Dunn
Synopsis: Things are not going right for Peter--not at all. But it's nothing a few jelly beans can't fix.
Excerpt:
"Hi, Red," she says, reaching down to pet him. Then she holds out a hand to me and says, "You must be Peter. Your uncle told me that his famous nephew who hits home runs was coming today."
"He did?" I ask, with a grin. "Well, umm, Uncle Jesse wants to know if you have an onion--or some peanut butter."
"I have an onion, but no peanut butter," she says, heading to her kitchen. She returns with a whole bag of onions and drops them in my arms. I thank her, and Red and I head back to Uncle Jesse's place.
"He did?" I ask, with a grin. "Well, umm, Uncle Jesse wants to know if you have an onion--or some peanut butter."
"I have an onion, but no peanut butter," she says, heading to her kitchen. She returns with a whole bag of onions and drops them in my arms. I thank her, and Red and I head back to Uncle Jesse's place.
Question:
What is the most important thing Peter learns from Mrs. James?
- He learns that his uncle has been talking about him.
- He learns that she has no peanut butter.
- He learns that she loves dogs, especially Red.
- He learns that neighbors often give you more than you ask for.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Describe two important details that support the main idea of a selection and two other details that are not important to the main idea.
Evaluator
Organization:
Curriculum Design Institute
2C: Summarizing
2C: Summarizing
Description:
Summarizing
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
D-51
D-51
Grade level: 4
Word count: 1175 words
Author: Daniel Varnell
Synopsis: When a family gets stuck on a faraway planet, they must ask aliens for help.
Excerpt:
No excerpt is available for this question.
Question:
The theme of a story is its message or "big idea." Which of the following phrases best summarizes the theme of this selection.
- only the truth matters
- always show kindness
- use your manners
- never talk to strangers
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Use your own words to describe the ending of a selection.
Evaluator
Organization:
Curriculum Design Institute