Blaine Elementary School

Grade 4 Writing Expectations Map

Components in Writers Express Handbook and Teaching Qualities of Writing

Introduce where noted on map. Continue to practice and build upon throughout year. Refer to Grades K-3 Writing Core Expectations.

When to begin instruction:	September/October	November/December	January/February	March/April	May/June
Introduction to Handbook Words Their Way Pre-assessment	Table of Contents § Handbook pp. v-ix Writing Process Overview § Handbook pp. 3-11 Traits of Writing Writing Process § Handbook pp. 23-57 Writing Paragraphs § Handbook pp. 59 - 71	Reading & Spelling Skills § Handbook pp. 271-306
Traits of Effective Writing Content Organization Style (Word Choice, Voice, Sentence Fluency)	Ideas § Narrow topic § Develop details, examples, anecdotes, reasons, and facts to support main idea pp. Handbook 30-31, TQW I10-I18 § Write several (at least three) supporting paragraphs on topic. Handbook pp. 59-71 Organization § Use specific strategies for an effective beginning Handbook pp. 51, 60 & TQW D1-D8, D17-22 § Contain an engaging middle and meaningful ending Handbook pp.76, 59, 61 TQW D1-D8, D23-D25 § Organize ideas in logical sequence § Use transitional phrases to connect ideas Voice § Use voice to enhance writing	Word Choice § Use specific words with emphasis on active verbs, adverbs, and adjectives § Use sensory images § Avoids overused words Voice § Write in an engaging voice TQW L15-L19 Sentence Fluency § Vary sentence beginnings, length, and structure TQW L11-L14, L20-L24	Word Choice § Use similes, metaphors, alliteration, rhyme as appropriate TQW L20-L24

When to begin instruction:	September/October	November/December	January/February	March/April	May/June
Traits of Effective Writing Words Their Way Monthly Writing Project Conventions	Spelling § Spell all high-frequency words correctly (Level Four) § Use dictionary skills and spell check Capitalization § Proper nouns: holidays, states, cities, countries, bodies of water, continents, addresses, planets, events in history HB pp. 352-354 § Proper adjectives § Person’s title Punctuation TQW P1-P7, HB pp. 343-351 § Comma in numbers § External quotation marks in dialogue Grammar & Usage § Indent/use block format for paragraphs HB pp. 375-387, TQW P15-P16 Handwriting § Print legibly with consistent size, spacing, and formation § Indent/use block format for paragraphs	Spelling § Use affixes and root words to spell Capitalization § Greeting and closing of letter § Abbreviations Punctuation HB pp. 343-351 § Period in abbreviations and initials § Comma in greeting and closing of letter § Comma in complete address § Comma to set off titles or initials Grammar & Usage § Use verb tense consistently § Apply subject/verb agreement § Use conjunctions and prepositions correctly § Avoid sentence fragments and run-ons § Use new paragraph to indicate change of speakers	Spelling § Use syllabication, letter patterns, and word patterns to spell unusual words Capitalization § First word inside quotation marks § Title of book or article Punctuation § Comma in compound sentences § Apostrophes in contractions HB p. 349 § Apostrophes with possessives of singular nouns Grammar & Usage § Use resources to check grammar	Spelling § Spell most grade-level words correctly; Words Their Way Continued Punctuation Apostrophe in possessive nouns
Forms of Writing Purpose	Writing Forms Overview § Personal Narrative (Sept.) § Write a personal narrative about self or family experience HB pp. 110-115 Fictional Story (Oct.) § Write a multi-paragraph fictional story to entertain HB pp. 153-175	Narrative § Poem HB pp. 177-187 Expository § Expository paragraph HB 59-71 § Letter HB pp. 116-121, 142-147 § Book review HB pp. 132-137 § Summary HB pp. 216-219	Narrative § Poem HB pp. 177-187 Expository § Essay HB pp. 72-77 § Compare/Contrast HB p. 297 § News article HB pp. 123-131	Narrative § Poem HB pp. 177-187 Expository Review TQW I19-I21 § Essay § Summary § Compare/Contrast § Cause/effect explanation	Expository § Report HB pp. 220-233

Grade 4 Writing Expectations Map

	September/October	November/December	January/February	March/April	May/June
Assessment Grade level prompt with scoring criteria	Narrative (Oct.)		Expository (Jan.)		Narrative/Expository (May) Gr. 4 WASL Writing
Writing Process	Prewrite HB pp. 23-31 § Use variety of prewriting strategies/graphic organizers § Thinking maps	Draft HB pp. 32-33 § Write first draft using ideas from prewriting Group complete thoughts into paragraphs § Attempt introduction, body, conclusion	Revise HB pp. 37-45 § Read orally to check for missing words, parts or information § Receive input from others and modify writing § Use revision guide § Works toward accuracy and detail (elaboration of details, examples, anecdotes, reasons, and facts)	Edit HB pp. 50-53 & TQW P8-P13 § Practice variety of editing activities § Correct errors independently § Use editing guides and resources	Publish HB pp. 54-57 & TQW P18-P21 § Select a publishing option § Produce a neat, legible final product § Share writing with others
Resources	Writers Express, GreatSource, Student Handbook and Teacher Language Program Kit, 2000. Thinking Maps, Teacher Resource Notebook High-frequency Word List (Level Four) Grade 4 Writing Scoring Guide, OSPI Additional Resources: 4 Square by Judy and Evan Gould Teaching Expository Writing by Barbara Mariconda Guiding Readers and Writers by Fontus and Pinnell Boys and Writing by Ralph Fletcher Keep the Rest of the Class Reading and Writing by Susan Finney

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