Oct 7 Lesson Authors Purpose

1

Oct 7 Lesson
Author’s Purpose and Author's Message.

Ⓡ ELA 4.10A explain the author’s purpose and message within a text

Ⓡ ELA 4.7C use text evidence to support an appropriate response

Unit 2: Contemporary Fiction

Multiple Choice

While the berries boiled, Mother spun threads made from milkweed stems. Then she twisted the threads together to make wicks for the candles

Read the dictionary entry for the word spun.

spun /spun/ verb

1. to make using thread that comes from an insect’s body

2. to cause to turn quickly on an axis

3. to form or develop from the imagination

4. to draw out, twist, and wind

Which definition most closely fits the way the word spun is used in the text?

• definition 1

• definition 2

• definition 3

• definition 4

Multiple Choice

Mother boiled the bayberries in water. Their waxy coating floated to the surface. Mother skimmed it off and put the

wax in a “starter pot.” Every day more wax was added to the starter pot.

Read the dictionary entry for the word skim.

skim /skim/ verb

1. to remove from the surface of a liquid

2. to fly or glide over

3. to glance through in a hurry

4. to throw so that a liquid surface is only touched in a brief way

Which definition most closely fits the way the word skimmed is used in the text?

• definition 1

• definition 2

• definition 3

• definition 4

3

LO: SWBAT explain the author’s purpose within a text using text evidence.

DOL: Given a fiction text, students will correctly
explain the author’s purpose and message within a
text using text evidence in at least 4 of 5 questions.

Ⓡ ELA 4.10A explain the author’s purpose and message within a text

Ⓡ ELA 4.7C use text evidence to support an appropriate response

Unit 2: Contemporary Fiction

4

Academic Vocabulary

text evidence

(noun)

paraphrased or directly
quoted information from
a source that supports

understanding

author's purpose

(noun)

the reason an author

writes about a particular

topic

6

Excerpt 1:
Cafe Con

Leche

Excerpt 2:

Cangrejitos de

guayaba y

queso

Excerpt 3:

Synchronized

Eating

Excerpt 4:

Congri

Excerpt 5:
Mariquitas

Excerpt 6 :
Ropa vieja,

parte 1

Excerpt 7 :
Ropa vieja,

parte 2

Excerpt 8:
Ropa vieja,

parte 3

Excerpt 9:

Misunderstandings

Knowledge Objective:
SWBAT analyze narrative

literature by focusing on literary

elements such as detailed

descriptions, theme development,

and contrasting perceptions.

Excerpt 10:

Asking for
Help, Part 1

Excerpt 11:

Asking for
Help, Part 2

Excerpt 12:

Flan

7

Author’s Purpose

Refers to the
main goal in a
piece of writing

-

to Persuade

-

to Inform

-

to Entertain

-

to share an
experience

8

Why is it important for

readers to understand the

author’s purpose?

It is important for readers
to understand the
author’s purpose
because…

Multiple Choice

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

In other words, what is the author's purpose?

• Ⓐ To express how important keys are for opening doors

• Ⓑ To explain how Max builds secret doors in closets

• Ⓒ  To explain why some closets have hidden doors

• Ⓓ To share Max’s experience solving a mystery

Multiple Choice

Marly was a little angry with her friend Susy. Every time Marly would get a new shirt, notebook, bag or anything Susy would go and get the same thing. This really bothered Marly. One day Marly decided that she was going to talk about Susy to another friend just because she was just fed up with her. Susy found out that Marly was talking about her and their friendship got worse.

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection.

• A. To share with the reader what goes on at school.

• B. To explain to the reader what Marly's school day is like.

• C. To share with the reader how Marly feels towards Susy.

• D. To persuade the reader not to talk about people behind their backs.

Multiple Choice

(4) Noah put the little creatures in a small fish tank in his backyard. (5) The tank was filled with water that he had lugged up from the creek to make sure that the tadpoles felt at home. (6) Noah’s new little pets seemed to be on this first day mostly eyes and tails. (7) Their big heads bobbled in a funny way as they swam.

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this selection?

• To emphasize the importance of water quality for fish.
• To describe the construction of a fish tank.
• To explain the life cycle of tadpoles.
• To illustrate Noah's care for his new pets and their amusing behavior.

Multiple Choice

(8) The bluebonnet is a wildflower with bright blue petals. (9) Its color is somewhere between navy and royal blue. (10) When bluebonnets are grouped together, their blue coloring appears especially brilliant and bright.

What is the most likely reason the author wrote this text?

• A. To share the climate that bluebonnets grow in.

• B. To explain what the bluebonnet looks like and how they look grouped together.

• C. To describe what navy and royal blue looks like.

• D. To explain the life cycle of the bluebonnet.

Multiple Choice

What is author's purpose?

• The reason you should read.

• The reason an author writes about a particular topic.

• The reason an author writes the summary of a story.

• The reason we explore and express our ideas.

Multiple Choice

Text evidence is important because it -

• supports the reason an author wrote a text.

• helps you understand the text better.

• supports your ideas and answers.

Turn and Talk

Why is text evidence important?

Text evidence is important because it ...

13

aroma
(noun)

an often pleasant smell

that one notices

flan
(noun)

a sweet dessert

made out of custard
with caramel glaze

drenched

(verb)

filled or covered by liquid

Content Vocabulary

HOMEWORK

You have vocabulary homework starting this week.

14

Letters From

Heaven

Excerpt 12:

Flan

Independent work worksheet