CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4
Description:
Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
4C, 6A, 6C, 6C
Exemplars
6A: Recognizing Author's Intent
6A: Recognizing Author's Intent
Description:
Recognizing Author's Purpose
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-58
HiE-58
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1062 words
Author: Joanne Lukens
Synopsis: While a young girl dances at a festival, her mother is far away in another country. Will the mother get to see her daughter's special dance?
Excerpt:
As she reached to shake the hand of the American president, there was a sudden click, click, click of photographers' cameras.
Question:
Read this part from the selection. Why does the author include the words "click, click, click"?
- to demonstrate that there were many cameras taking pictures
- to prove that the president liked to have his picture taken
- to explain why Margarita was afraid to meet the president
- to show that cameras make a sound when they are working properly
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Write a letter to the author of a selection you really enjoyed. Suggests ideas for similar selections the the author should write.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
Description:
Recognizing Mood and Tone
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-69
HiE-69
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1316 words
Author: Judy Dodge Cummings
Synopsis: A contest between tribes is important in more than one way.
Excerpt:
Dyami's chest rose rapidly as he struggled to calm his frustration and fear. Aystan would not allow his dream to happen! His responsibilities to the tribe and fear for his son's safety were too strong. "But will the Creator be satisfied with Aystan, instead of me?" Dyami whispered.
Question:
The mood in this excerpt can best be described as
- worried and nervous.
- excited and joyous.
- lonely and afraid.
- tired and uninterested.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Give examples of words from a selection that made the selection seem funny. Explain how these words help you know the selection is meant to be funny.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
4C: Visualizing
4C: Visualizing
Description:
Visualizing
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-20
HiE-20
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1417 words
Author: Kate Carter
Synopsis: There's a festival for just about every occasion you can imagine (and some you can't).
Excerpt:
Every December in Oaxaca, Spain, there's the Night of the Radishes, which features animals, dancers, kings, and just about everything else you can think of, all carved from the small red vegetable. Before the event, each radish artist will spend three days at work on the vegetables, and all the vegetable art will compete for the top prize.
Question:
Based on this excerpt, which of the following best describes the Night of the Radishes festival?
- creative and artistic
- loud and energetic
- chaotic and exhausting
- serious and intense
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
List words and phrases in a selection that helped you form a picture of a place, object, or event in a selection.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
6C: Recognizing Mood/Tone
Description:
Recognizing Mood and Tone
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
HiE-8
HiE-8
Grade level: 5
Word count: 1459 words
Author: Catherine Ferguson
Synopsis: Mae Jemison, an African American woman born in a time of segregation, accomplished some amazing things.
Excerpt:
Dr. Mae Jemison is an African American woman who was born during a time of segregation. However, she never let that hold her back from having very high goals. Dr. Jemison excelled at everything she set out to do. She became a doctor, a scientist, a businesswoman, and an astronaut. She not only reached for the stars, but also got to visit them.
Question:
By the end, what is the overall tone, or "feeling," of this selection?
- confident
- unsure
- dreamy
- bossy
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
What words does an author use to create an excited or adventurous mood? Use details from a selection you have read to support and explain your answer.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions