Lesson
3
:

Writing an Informative Text about Fairness

Grade

Grade 4

UNIT

7

Fairness

Last Updated:

May 26, 2025

In Unit 7, Lesson 3, “Writing an Informative Text about Fairness,” 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:

  • 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 fairness
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar 

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • Prohuman Grade 4 Unit 7 Worksheet 3: Writing an Informative Text about Fairness

VOCABULARY:

  • Fairness: I treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, I bring them in.
  • Segregation: The practice of separating people by race in businesses and public places such pools, libraries, and schools. Segregation was outlawed in the entire United States by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

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

Moral Character A3

Understand and explain the expression “I have the courage to stand up for what is wrong or unfair”

Moral Character B3

Provide an example of a friend or role model who “stood up” for what he or she thought was wrong or unfair

Performance Character B1

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates self-discipline (the ability to forgo instant and immediate gratification for a larger goal or commitment)

Performance Character B2

Provide an example of a friend or role model who is dependable, reliable, and conscientious (responsible)

Performance Character B4

Provide an example of a role model who demonstrates grit (perseverance and passion for a long-term goal)

Intellectual Character A2

Understand the skills (being prepared, focused effort, diligent practice, attention to detail, etc.) that enable someone to acquire or polish a skill

Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

Civic Character A1

Understand the idea of fairness and the consequences of not being fair, as it relates to breaking rules, playing favorites, or taking advantage of others

Civic Character A4

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

Civic Character B1

Describe how a role model exemplifies fairness

Civic Character B6

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

Self-Awareness A1

Understand and explain why different situations may set in motion or give rise to different emotions (e.g., learning something new or difficult, meeting someone new)

Social-Awareness A2

Describe how a person will likely feel when being bullied or left out of an activity or group

Social-Awareness A3

Recognize examples of stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice

Social-Awareness A4

Explain a time when you put yourself in “someone else’s shoes” in order to understand their perspective and point of view

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today, you will write an informative text about the four women we learned about in the previous lesson: Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. 

Your informative text should be about the segregation these women lived under, how they worked for fairness, and what they accomplished. 

Write informative text on the board. The informative texts we write should do six things: 

  • First, the informative text should introduce the 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 7 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING AN INFORMATIVE TEXT ABOUT FAIRNESS

Fairness: I treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, I bring them in.

Segregation: The practice of separating people by race in businesses and public places such as pools, libraries, and schools. Segregation was outlawed in the entire United States by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

ACTIVITY: 

Write an informative text about the four women we learned about in the previous lesson: Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. Your informative text should be about the segregation these women lived under, how they worked for fairness, and what they accomplished. 

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/

unlock all lessons:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.