Story Elements & Summarizing

At first the clouds were pillow soft and white. They looked like floating cotton balls. Within minutes, streaks of grey overtook the sky and a mustiness thickened the air. I gathered my belongings and went into the house.

What is the setting like?

• It was storming, but then it was sunny outside.

• It was cloudy all day.

• It was nice outside, but then a storm seems to be coming.

• It was a beautiful sunny day with pillow soft clouds in the sky.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.W.4.9B

It would take a two-day journey to sift through the forest and make it to the town. Aaron was well aware that few people survived the trip. He still continued to walk anyway. Aaron was the wisest of all the people in his village although he was just twelve years old.

Based on the description of Aaron, what can a reader infer about what this character is like?

• He is smart, because he walks through the forest.

• He is kind.

• He is sneaky.

• He is brave, because he takes the journey although it is dangerous.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

Noki screamed until his breath was gone. He sobbed in air, half upset and half ashamed of himself. This was the day of the testing. Noki had three hours to catch a bear, obtain three fish, and make it to Denu Hill. Instead, Noki sat motionless in a heap. Every man in the village had accomplished each of these goals as soon as they turned thirteen. What could he say to everyone if he returned empty handed?

What do Noki's actions reveal about him?

• He is brave.

• He is confident.

• He is fearful.

• He is hopeful.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

Patsy's words stumbled. "I-I-I guess. Well, are you sure that I have to go to the building too?" How does Patsy feel about going to the building?

• She is excited to go to the building.

• She is not sure about going.

• She is happy to go. The excitement shows in her voice.

• She does not want to go. Stumbling over her words and asking the question both show she does not want to go.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

Esther tugged until the brake released and slowly brought the bus to a halt. Why did this have to happen? she asked herself. She was the last student on the bus and just before making it to her bus stop, the bus driver collapsed leaving the bus to rage down the street narrowly missing cars and people. Esther calmed herself down. It was over. She was safe. Patting on her leg, she looked for her cell phone to call her mother.

What is the conflict or problem in this story?

• The conflict or problem in the story is that Esther had to steer the bus all by herself.

• The problem is that she is the last student on the bus.

• The problem or conflict is that she had to calm herself down.

• The problem is that the bus is raging down the street narrowly missing cars and people.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

"You go," said Peter. "No, you go," replied Ben. The boys watched helplessly as the dollar floated onto the pile of garbage in the backyard. The garbage was their mother's compost pile. The rotting mass of banana peels, egg shells, and other smelly matter was supposed to add nutrients to their garden. One side of the dollar clung to the garbage and the other side flapped in the wind.

What is the conflict or problem?

• The problem is that the garbage did not smell good.

• The problem is that the dollar floated.

• The problem was that the compost would add nutrients to the garden.

• The problem is money has fallen on the compost pile and neither of the boys wants to get the money.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

"I'll pack now," said April as she raced down the hall to her room. April grinned as she inspected shirts and pants to place in her suitcase.

Based on April's reaction, what are her feelings about leaving?

• She is worried.

• She is excited.

• She is scared.

• She is not sure if she wants to go.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

Read the poem:

Across the ocean

The boat did lurk

Through chilly fog and murk

The Pilgrims eyes were with glee

What would they see?

Finally they arrive and look around.

Thankful, they were for ground

The New World was their destiny.

Years later, it became

Sweet Land Tis' of Thee.

What is the setting of the poem?

• The ocean

• They were on the ocean and then on the ground in the New World.

• On the ground

• In the New World

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.2

CCSS.RL.4.3

The play would be in three days. Amber paced across the floor.

"You will do just fine," said Ms. Kinzie.

"I am trying so hard to get rid of the butterflies in my stomach. I just want to do a great job," said Amber.

"You will. I believe in you," said Ms. Kinzie.

Based on the information in the text, how does Amber feel?

• She is excited.

• She is prepared.

• She is helping her teacher.

• She is nervous.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.W.4.9B

"Go away!" Alex yelled from his bedroom door. "No, it's me," said his father as he slowly opened the door. "You always have next year to try out for the team," said his father. "The same thing happened to me when I was your age. I did not make the team and practiced even harder. I not only made the team a year later, I became one of the star players." "Really," said Alex.

Why did Alex's father decide to tell him the story now?

• So he will not go back to practice.

• To make Alex feel better and motivate him to keep practicing.

• To tell him about other hobbies.

• So he will go play basketball with him.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.1