Reading

Our reading time is structured based on the teachings in the following books by The 2 Sisters:

This year, each week, we will be working with a story out of our 4th Grade Harcourt Storytown Reading text book. Each story will focus on a specific skill and has accompanying vocabulary. The following is a list of the themes in our text and the five stories that accompany those themes. You can visit the Harcourt Storytown website to view activities that accompany each story.

You can access the online version of Storytown to read the stories or have them read to you.
You can access the leveled readers that accompany Storytown for more reading practice.
You can access the text book's glossary to look up the vocabulary words.
You can access the multimedia grammar glossary.

This week's basal story is an exerpt from Danitra Brown Leaves Town.

This book is in the genre of Poetry.

Theme 1 – Facing Challenges

	Lesson 1	Lesson 2	Lesson 3	Lesson 4	Lesson 5
Selection Title	The Hot and Cold Summer	Mighty Jackie: The Strike Out Queen	Danitra Brown Leaves Town	Kai's Journey to Gold Mountain	Pedro Puts on a Play
Focus Skill	Character's Traits and Motivations	Character's Traits and Motivations	Compare and Contrast	Compare and Contrast	Review Skills
Robust Vocabulary	annoyed depriving foisted pact queasy venture	flinched fluke gaped glared legendary muttered snickering stunned	clusters particular sizzles sparkling stroll surrender	accusing averted craned cringed fury interrogation solemnly stern	commenced consternation culinary downcast extensive pensive recruit reminiscent serenely vivid

Theme 2 – Getting the Job Done

	Lesson 6	Lesson 7	Lesson 8	Lesson 9	Lesson 10
Selection Title	On the Banks of Plum Creek	Justin and the Best Biscuits in the World	Three Little Cyberpigs	Weaving a California Tradition	Emerald's Eggs
Focus Skill	Plot: Conflict and Resolution	Plot: Conflict and Resolution	Author's Purpose and Perspective	Author's Purpose and Perspective	Review Skills
Robust Vocabulary	darted swerved responsible contradicting jostling attentive pounced	inspecting taut untangled rumpled lurked resounded reluctant surge	impressed slick nimble exist fierce cease	unique delicate bond preserve infest inspires intervals flexible	comprehend pliable solitary scan vulnerable exuberant mature lumbers encircle nurture

Theme 3 – Natural Changes

	Lesson 11	Lesson 12	Lesson 13	Lesson 14	Lesson 15
Selection Title	Mimicry and Camouflage	Mountains	Fire Storm	The Stranger	The Adventurers
Focus Skill	Text Structure: Cause and Effect	Text Structure: Cause and Effect	Drawing Conclusions	Drawing Conclusions	Review Skills
Robust Vocabulary	avoid deceptive lure mimic obvious predators resembles traits	constant contract depths eruption gradually immediate revealed	altered discourage drudgery plunge scoffed skeptically smoldering treacherous	dashed drab fascinated hermit occasionally peculiar timid trembling	cherish delectable fragile guidance hoist intrepid pristine privilege seasoned undoubtedly

Theme 4 – Imagination at Work

	Lesson 16	Lesson 17	Lesson 18	Lesson 19	Lesson 20
Selection Title	So You Want to Be an Inventor?	Just Like Me	Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life	Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie	The Case of the Too- Hot Apple Cider
Focus Skill	Fact and Opinion	Fact and Opinion	Theme	Theme	Review Skills
Robust Vocabulary	barriers forged hoaxer perfect quest tinker trampled	ancestors brilliant exotic graceful mischievous participate	bountiful inadvertently intentions relentless resourceful roused stature vast	anxiously confidently declared distressed gloated insisted magnificent	beams confound exposed gracious installed looming miserable monitor ominous self-assurance

Theme 5 – A New Home

	Lesson 21	Lesson 22	Lesson 23	Lesson 24	Lesson 25
Selection Title	Because of Winn Dixie	My Diary from Here to There	The Cricket in Times Square	Mangrove Wilderness	Welcome to Chinatown!
Focus Skill	Character, Setting, and Plot	Character, Setting, and Plot	Sequence: Story Events	Sequence: Story Events	Review Skills
Robust Vocabulary	consisted intends prideful recalls select snatched	burst comforted huddle journey opportunities recognizes	fidget forlornly noble pathetic resolved scrounging stingy suspicion	advantage extract remarkable stealthy suitable withstand	aspects destinations expectantly festive gorgeous misfortune ornate reconstruct symbolize vigorously

Theme 6 – Exploring our World

	Lesson 26	Lesson 27	Lesson 28	Lesson 29	Lesson 30
Selection Title	Dragons and Dinosaurs	Grand Canyon: A Trail Through Time	The Bunyans	John Muir and Stickeen: An Icy Adventure with a No-Good Dog	Discovering the Atocha
Focus Skill	Main Idea and Details	Main Idea and Details	Figurative Language	Figurative Language	Review Skills
Robust Vocabulary	complicated contraption eerie elegant massive obstacles roamed submerged	ancient cascading distant embedded eroding glistens sentries weary	behemoth colossal cordially fanciful hearty illusion scenic	coddled dainty dedicated determined endured memorable pitiful	abruptly descend discern distinguished dubious estimate frantically scrutinized verify vicinity