Lesson
3
:

Writing an Informative Text about Optimism

Grade

Grade 4

UNIT

1

Optimism

Last Updated:

May 26, 2025

Unit 1, Lesson 3, “Writing an Informative Text about Optimism,” reinforces the vocabulary word optimism. Students will write an informative text about a nonfiction text. This informative text will examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the word optimism
  • Introduce a topic and group related information together 
  • Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details
  • Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information
  • Provide a concluding statement or section
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Prohuman Grade 4 Unit 1 Worksheet 3: Writing an Informative Text about Optimism

VOCABULARY:

  • Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.A

Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.B

Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.C

Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.D

Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.E

Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.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.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.B

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.D

Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.F

Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.A

Use correct capitalization.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.D

Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3

Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3.A

Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

Civic Character A4

Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally

Civic Character B6

Describe how a role model volunteers and contributes to the common good

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will write an informative text about Leyzer Zamenhof, whom we learned about in the previous lesson from the book Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff. 

  1. Write informative text on the board. The informative texts we write should do six things: 
  • First, the informative text should introduce a topic clearly.
  • Second, it should group related information in paragraphs.
  • Third, it should develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
  • Fourth, it should link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).
  • Fifth, it should have clear language to inform about or explain the topic.
  • Sixth and finally, it should provide a concluding statement or section.

NOTE: Collect and keep the worksheet on the following page for the next day’s lesson in which students will share their stories with a partner.

GRADE 4 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING AN INFORMATIVE TEXT ABOUT OPTIMISM

Optimism: I have hope and believe my actions will help things turn out well.

ACTIVITY: 

Write an informative text about Leyzer Zamenhof, whom we learned about in the previous lesson from the book Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope by Mara Rockliff. Your informative text should be about what he did and how he showed optimism. 

Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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