Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Correlations

Celebrating Holidays: Reading, Writing & Hands-on Activities

Celebrating Holidays: Reading, Writing & Hands-on Activities

English Language Arts

Strand - Reading Standards: Literature, Grade 3

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
The Blarney Stone 39
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Khurram's Celebration 70
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
Speak Up for Labor 84
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Harvest Party 93-94
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Thanks-Giving 105
The Dreidel Game 110

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RL.3.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
Green Walls 43
Mexican Feast 48
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Khurram's Celebration 70
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Harvest Party 93-94
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Thanks-Giving 105
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
Purpose for the Community 120

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RL.3.2: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

Activity Pages
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
Myth or Legend? 41
Green Walls 43
What Is a Father? 67
Freedom 74
Purpose for the Community 120

Craft and Structure

ELA.RL.3.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from non-literal language.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
The Blarney Stone 39
Mexican Feast 48
Fields of Poppies 59
Taps 62
What Is a Father? 67
Freedom 74

Craft and Structure

ELA.RL.3.6: Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.

Activity Pages
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87

Craft and Structure

ELA.RL.3.5: Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections.

Activity Page
Weather Wise 16
Myth or Legend? 41
Mexican Feast 48
Fields of Poppies 59
Taps 62
What Is a Father? 67
Freedom 74
Harvest Party 93-94
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Thanks-Giving 105
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RL.3.9: Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series).

Activity Pages
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
Speak Up for Labor 84

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RL.3.7: Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting).

Activity Page
Taps 62
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

ELA.RL.3.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
A New Millennium 7
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
Auld Lang Syne 9
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Civil Rights Leader 13
I Have a Dream 14
Weather Wise 16
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Animal Predictions 19
Groundhog Puppets 20
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Who Was Cupid? 23
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
What's Inside Your Heart? 25
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Washington and Lincoln 29
Great Men of Our Country 30
Washington or Lincoln? 31
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
Celebrating the New Year 35
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Chinese Lanterns 37
The Blarney Stone 39
St. Patrick 40
Myth or Legend? 41
Green Walls 43
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Helping Earth 45
Growing Green 46
Mexican Feast 48
The Real Cinco de Mayo 49
Mexican Food 50
A Colorful Festival 51
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Mother's Day Around the World 55
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Honoring Mom 57
Fields of Poppies 59
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Honoring Our Heroes 61
Taps 62
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Like Father, Like Son 66
What Is a Father? 67
My Dad 68
Khurram's Celebration 70
A Month of Fasting 71
Ramadan for Children 72
Freedom 74
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Symbols of Freedom 76
Celebrate Independence Day 77
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
Speak Up for Labor 84
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
Columbus Day Today 90
Over Land and Sea 91
Harvest Party 93-94
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
My Pumpkin 97
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Code Talkers 101
Honoring Veterans 102
Our Memorial 103
Thanks-Giving 105
Cranberries 106
Dangerous Journey 107
Acts of Gratitude 108
The Dreidel Game 110
Festival of Lights 111
Hanukkah Traditions 112
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117
Make a Holiday Wreath 118
Purpose for the Community 120
A Light in the Darkness 121
The Path of Good 122
Practice Creativity 123

Strand - Reading Standards: Informational Text, Grade 3

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

Activity Page
A New Millennium 7
Civil Rights Leader 13
Washington and Lincoln 29
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Celebrating the New Year 35
Chinese Lanterns 37
St. Patrick 40
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Like Father, Like Son 66
A Month of Fasting 71
Symbols of Freedom 76
Jobs of the Future 81-82
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Code Talkers 101
Cranberries 106
The Dreidel Game 110
A Special Gift 116
The Path of Good 122

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.

Activity Page
Civil Rights Leader 13
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
St. Patrick 40
The Real Cinco de Mayo 49
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
Code Talkers 101

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RI.3.3: Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect.

Activity Pages
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Animal Predictions 19
Washington and Lincoln 29
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Chinese Lanterns 37
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Helping Earth 45
The Real Cinco de Mayo 49
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Symbols of Freedom 76
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Cranberries 106
The Dreidel Game 110
A Special Gift 116
Make a Holiday Wreath 118
A Light in the Darkness 121

Craft and Structure

ELA.RI.3.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.

Activity Page
Celebrating the New Year 35
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
A Month of Fasting 71
Jobs of the Future 81-82
A Light in the Darkness 121

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.3.8: Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text(e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence).

Activity Pages
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Animal Predictions 19
Washington and Lincoln 29
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
A Light in the Darkness 121

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.3.6: Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text.

Activity Page
Animal Predictions 19
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Food 50
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Like Father, Like Son 66
The American Work Ethic 83
Festival of Lights 111

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.3.7: Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).

Activity Page
Who Was Cupid? 23
Chinese Lanterns 37
St. Patrick 40
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Make a Holiday Wreath 118

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.3.9: Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.

Activity Page
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Growing Green 46
A Light in the Darkness 121

Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity

ELA.RI.3.10: By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 2–3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
A New Millennium 7
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
Auld Lang Syne 9
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Civil Rights Leader 13
I Have a Dream 14
Weather Wise 16
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Animal Predictions 19
Groundhog Puppets 20
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Who Was Cupid? 23
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
What's Inside Your Heart? 25
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Washington and Lincoln 29
Great Men of Our Country 30
Washington or Lincoln? 31
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
Celebrating the New Year 35
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Chinese Lanterns 37
The Blarney Stone 39
St. Patrick 40
Myth or Legend? 41
Green Walls 43
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Helping Earth 45
Growing Green 46
Mexican Feast 48
The Real Cinco de Mayo 49
Mexican Food 50
A Colorful Festival 51
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Mother's Day Around the World 55
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Honoring Mom 57
Fields of Poppies 59
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Honoring Our Heroes 61
Taps 62
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Like Father, Like Son 66
What Is a Father? 67
My Dad 68
Khurram's Celebration 70
A Month of Fasting 71
Ramadan for Children 72
Freedom 74
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Symbols of Freedom 76
Celebrate Independence Day 77
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
Speak Up for Labor 84
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
Columbus Day Today 90
Over Land and Sea 91
Harvest Party 93-94
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
My Pumpkin 97
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Code Talkers 101
Honoring Veterans 102
Our Memorial 103
Thanks-Giving 105
Cranberries 106
Dangerous Journey 107
Acts of Gratitude 108
The Dreidel Game 110
Festival of Lights 111
Hanukkah Traditions 112
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117
Make a Holiday Wreath 118
Purpose for the Community 120
A Light in the Darkness 121
The Path of Good 122
Practice Creativity 123

Strand - Writing Standards, Grade 3

Text Types and Purposes

ELA.W.3.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
Weather Wise 16
Myth or Legend? 41
Mexican Food 50
Like Father, Like Son 66
Ramadan for Children 72
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Harvest Party 93-94
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
Honoring Veterans 102
Dangerous Journey 107
Hanukkah Traditions 112
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117
Practice Creativity 123

Text Types and Purposes

ELA.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.

Activity Page
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
I Have a Dream 14
Animal Predictions 19
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
What's Inside Your Heart? 25
Great Men of Our Country 30
Helping Earth 45
Honoring Our Heroes 61
What Is a Father? 67
Ramadan for Children 72
Symbols of Freedom 76
The American Work Ethic 83
Speak Up for Labor 84
Columbus Day Today 90
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
My Pumpkin 97
Honoring Veterans 102
Acts of Gratitude 108
Festival of Lights 111
Hanukkah Traditions 112

Text Types and Purposes

ELA.W.3.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Activity Page
Washington or Lincoln? 31
St. Patrick 40
Symbols of Freedom 76
Columbus Day Today 90
My Pumpkin 97
Code Talkers 101

Production and Distribution of Writing

ELA.W.3.4: With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)

Activity Page
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
I Have a Dream 14
Animal Predictions 19
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Great Men of Our Country 30
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Myth or Legend? 41
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Food 50
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Honoring Our Heroes 61
What Is a Father? 67
Ramadan for Children 72
Symbols of Freedom 76
The American Work Ethic 83
Columbus Day Today 90
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
Honoring Veterans 102
Dangerous Journey 107
Hanukkah Traditions 112
O Christmas Tree 117
The Path of Good 122

Production and Distribution of Writing

ELA.W.3.6: With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

Activity Page
Myth or Legend? 41

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

ELA.W.3.8: Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

Activity Page
Weather Wise 16
Who Was Cupid? 23
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Great Men of Our Country 30
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Mexican Feast 48
Mexican Food 50
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Honoring Our Heroes 61
Ramadan for Children 72
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
The American Work Ethic 83
Speak Up for Labor 84
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Columbus Day Today 90
Honoring Veterans 102
Hanukkah Traditions 112
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117
Practice Creativity 123

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

ELA.W.3.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

Activity Pages
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Jobs of the Future 81-82
Columbus Day Today 90
Honoring Veterans 102

Strand - Speaking and Listening Standards, Grade 3

Comprehension and Collaboration

ELA.SL.3.2: Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Activity Page
Auld Lang Syne 9
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Mexican Feast 48
A Colorful Festival 51
Fields of Poppies 59
Taps 62
Celebrate Independence Day 77

Comprehension and Collaboration

ELA.SL.3.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Activity Pages
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Groundhog Puppets 20
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Washington or Lincoln? 31
A Colorful Festival 51
Jobs of the Future 81-82
Our Memorial 103
Acts of Gratitude 108
The Dreidel Game 110
The Path of Good 122

Comprehension and Collaboration

ELA.SL.3.3: Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.

Activity Page
Washington or Lincoln? 31
A Colorful Festival 51
Our Memorial 103

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.SL.3.4: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Groundhog Puppets 20
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Myth or Legend? 41
Growing Green 46
Honoring Mom 57
My Dad 68
Ramadan for Children 72
Over Land and Sea 91
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
Our Memorial 103

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.SL.3.5: Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Growing Green 46
Honoring Mom 57
Speak Up for Labor 84
Over Land and Sea 91
Our Memorial 103

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.SL.3.6: Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Groundhog Puppets 20
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Taps 62
My Dad 68
Ramadan for Children 72
Over Land and Sea 91

Strand - Reading Standards: Literature, Grade 4

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.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).

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
The Blarney Stone 39
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Khurram's Celebration 70
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Harvest Party 93-94
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
Purpose for the Community 120

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.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.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
The Blarney Stone 39
Green Walls 43
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Khurram's Celebration 70
Freedom 74
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Harvest Party 93-94
A Veteran's Story 99-100
The Dreidel Game 110
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
Purpose for the Community 120

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RL.4.2: Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

Activity Page
Countdown to the New Year 6
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Weather Wise 16
The Blarney Stone 39
Green Walls 43
Mexican Feast 48
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Fields of Poppies 59
Fishing with Grandpa 64-65
Freedom 74
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Thanks-Giving 105
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
Purpose for the Community 120

Craft and Structure

ELA.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).

Activity Pages
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Weather Wise 16
The Blarney Stone 39
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Fields of Poppies 59
Freedom 74
Celebrate Independence Day 77
A Veteran's Story 99-100
The Dreidel Game 110
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115

Craft and Structure

ELA.RL.4.5: Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.

Activity Page
Weather Wise 16
Fields of Poppies 59

Craft and Structure

ELA.RL.4.6: Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.

Activity Pages
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Thanks-Giving 105
Purpose for the Community 120

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RL.4.9: Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures.

Activity Pages
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
Weather Wise 16
A Chinese Fairy Tale: Yeh-Shen 33-34
Purpose for the Community 120

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RL.4.7: Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

Activity Page
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Green Walls 43
Fields of Poppies 59
Khurram's Celebration 70
Freedom 74

Strand - Reading Standards: Informational Text, Grade 4

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RI.4.1: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

Activity Page
A New Millennium 7
Civil Rights Leader 13
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Washington and Lincoln 29
Great Men of Our Country 30
Celebrating the New Year 35
St. Patrick 40
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Helping Earth 45
Growing Green 46
The Real Cinco de Mayo 49
Mexican Food 50
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Like Father, Like Son 66
A Month of Fasting 71
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
Columbus Day Today 90
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Code Talkers 101
Honoring Veterans 102
Cranberries 106
Dangerous Journey 107
A Special Gift 116
A Light in the Darkness 121

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RI.4.2: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.

Activity Page
A New Millennium 7
Civil Rights Leader 13
Weather Wise 16
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
St. Patrick 40
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
The Real Cinco de Mayo 49
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Symbols of Freedom 76
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
A Special Gift 116
Make a Holiday Wreath 118
A Light in the Darkness 121

Key Ideas and Details

ELA.RI.4.3: Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text.

Activity Page
A New Millennium 7
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
What's Inside Your Heart? 25
Washington and Lincoln 29
Great Men of Our Country 30
Celebrating the New Year 35
St. Patrick 40
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Like Father, Like Son 66
A Month of Fasting 71
Ramadan for Children 72
Fourth of July Through the Years 75
Symbols of Freedom 76
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
Columbus Day Today 90
Over Land and Sea 91
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Code Talkers 101
Honoring Veterans 102
Dangerous Journey 107
Festival of Lights 111
Make a Holiday Wreath 118
A Light in the Darkness 121
The Path of Good 122

Craft and Structure

ELA.RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.

Activity Page
A New Millennium 7
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Washington and Lincoln 29
An Explorer's Journal 88-89
A Light in the Darkness 121

Craft and Structure

ELA.RI.4.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.

Activity Pages
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Jason's Valentine's Day Box 22
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Celebrating the New Year 35
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Growing Green 46
Mexican Food 50
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
A Month of Fasting 71
Jobs of the Future 81-82
Over Land and Sea 91
Cranberries 106
Festival of Lights 111
The Path of Good 122

Craft and Structure

ELA.RI.4.6: Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided.

Activity Page
Who Was Cupid? 23
Mexican Food 50
Festival of Lights 111
A Special Gift 116

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.4.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text.

Activity Page
A New Millennium 7
Civil Rights Leader 13
Groundhog Relatives 17-18
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Washington and Lincoln 29
Great Men of Our Country 30
St. Patrick 40
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch 44
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Like Father, Like Son 66
Columbus Day Today 90
The Many Uses for Pumpkin 95
Code Talkers 101
A Special Gift 116
A Light in the Darkness 121

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.4.9: Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Weather Wise 16
Memorial to a Great President 27-28
Great Men of Our Country 30
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Helping Earth 45
Growing Green 46
Jobs of the Future 81-82
Columbus Day Today 90
Honoring Veterans 102

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.RI.4.7: Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

Activity Page
Groundhog Puppets 20
Who Was Cupid? 23
What's Inside Your Heart? 25
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Chinese Lanterns 37
Jobs of the Future 81-82

Strand - Writing Standards, Grade 4

Text Types and Purposes

ELA.W.4.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

Activity Page
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
I Have a Dream 14
Animal Predictions 19
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Great Men of Our Country 30
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Food 50
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Honoring Our Heroes 61
Like Father, Like Son 66
What Is a Father? 67
Symbols of Freedom 76
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Dangerous Journey 107
Hanukkah Traditions 112
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117
The Path of Good 122

Text Types and Purposes

ELA.W.4.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

Activity Page
Animal Predictions 19
Myth or Legend? 41
Mexican Feast 48
Ramadan for Children 72
Labor Day at the Beach 79-80
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Dangerous Journey 107
Hanukkah Traditions 112
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117

Text Types and Purposes

ELA.W.4.2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

Activity Page
Great Men of Our Country 30
St. Patrick 40
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Like Father, Like Son 66
Ramadan for Children 72
Symbols of Freedom 76
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Code Talkers 101
Honoring Veterans 102

Production and Distribution of Writing

ELA.W.4.5: With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 4)

Activity Page
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
I Have a Dream 14
Animal Predictions 19
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Great Men of Our Country 30
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Myth or Legend? 41
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Food 50
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Honoring Our Heroes 61
What Is a Father? 67
Ramadan for Children 72
Symbols of Freedom 76
The American Work Ethic 83
Columbus Day Today 90
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
Honoring Veterans 102
Dangerous Journey 107
Hanukkah Traditions 112
O Christmas Tree 117
The Path of Good 122

Production and Distribution of Writing

ELA.W.4.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)

Activity Page
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
I Have a Dream 14
Animal Predictions 19
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Great Men of Our Country 30
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Myth or Legend? 41
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Food 50
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Honoring Our Heroes 61
What Is a Father? 67
Ramadan for Children 72
Symbols of Freedom 76
The American Work Ethic 83
Columbus Day Today 90
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
Honoring Veterans 102
Dangerous Journey 107
Hanukkah Traditions 112
O Christmas Tree 117
The Path of Good 122

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

ELA.W.4.8: Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.

Activity Page
What Do You Think the New Year Will Bring? 8
I Have a Dream 14
Animal Predictions 19
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Myth or Legend? 41
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Food 50
Kate's Tea Party 53-54
Mother's Day Around the World 55
What Makes a Mother Special? 56
Symbols of Freedom 76
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Honoring Veterans 102
Hanukkah Traditions 112
A Special Gift 116

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

ELA.W.4.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Weather Wise 16
Great Men of Our Country 30
Washington or Lincoln? 31
St. Patrick 40
Myth or Legend? 41
Helping Earth 45
Mexican Feast 48
Mother's Day Around the World 55
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 60
Honoring Our Heroes 61
Like Father, Like Son 66
What Is a Father? 67
Symbols of Freedom 76
Jobs of the Future 81-82
The American Work Ethic 83
The Columbus Day Storm 86-87
Harvest Party 93-94
A Veteran's Story 99-100
Code Talkers 101
Honoring Veterans 102
Dangerous Journey 107
Gingerbread Cousins 114-115
A Special Gift 116
O Christmas Tree 117
The Path of Good 122

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

ELA.W.4.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.

Activity Page
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Honoring Veterans 102

Strand - Speaking and Listening Standards, Grade 4

Comprehension and Collaboration

ELA.SL.4.2: Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Activity Page
Auld Lang Syne 9
Washington or Lincoln? 31
A Colorful Festival 51
Fields of Poppies 59
Taps 62
What Is a Father? 67
Celebrate Independence Day 77
Speak Up for Labor 84
Our Memorial 103
Make a Holiday Wreath 118

Comprehension and Collaboration

ELA.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.

Activity Pages
Muffins Are Like Mittens 11-12
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Washington or Lincoln? 31
Growing Green 46
A Colorful Festival 51
Fields of Poppies 59
Taps 62
What Is a Father? 67
Jobs of the Future 81-82
Over Land and Sea 91
My Pumpkin 97
Our Memorial 103
Thanks-Giving 105
Acts of Gratitude 108
The Path of Good 122

Comprehension and Collaboration

ELA.SL.4.3: Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Washington or Lincoln? 31
What Is a Father? 67
My Pumpkin 97
Our Memorial 103
Make a Holiday Wreath 118
The Path of Good 122

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.SL.4.4: Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Groundhog Puppets 20
The Many Faces of Valentines 24
Myth or Legend? 41
Growing Green 46
Honoring Mom 57
My Dad 68
Ramadan for Children 72
Over Land and Sea 91
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
My Pumpkin 97
Our Memorial 103
Acts of Gratitude 108
Practice Creativity 123

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.SL.4.6: Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion); use formal English when appropriate to task and situation.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Groundhog Puppets 20
Myth or Legend? 41
Growing Green 46
Honoring Mom 57
My Dad 68
Ramadan for Children 72
Stories Around the Bonfire 96
Acts of Gratitude 108

Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas

ELA.SL.4.5: Add audio recordings and visual displays to presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes.

Activity Page
I Have a Dream 14
Groundhog Puppets 20
What's Inside Your Heart? 25
Messages of Good Fortune 36
Chinese Lanterns 37
Myth or Legend? 41
Growing Green 46
A Colorful Festival 51
Honoring Mom 57