San Elijo Elementary School

4th Grade ELA

Profile picture representing Benchmark Universe, featuring a modern design with a blue and white color scheme

Our school district is using a reading/language arts program, called Benchmark Advance. It’s built specifically to meet the demands of the California Common Core Standards plus the new California ELA/ELD Framework. These standards require students to engage with more rigorous, complex text as well as dive deeper into the interpretation of the text. This has led us to look for and implement a more engaging, interactive, and modern program.

Benchmark Advance reading textbooks are light and manageable, magazine-like texts (same as previous years). These books are designed for students to interact with the readings by writing on the page and annotating the text. but they should be written in them! Annotation encourages students to take ownership of the text and dive deeper into the content, which improves comprehension. Each book is meant to be used for just three weeks. After three weeks of reading and working with the texts in class, students will bring the annotated book home. Your student’s annotations will allow you to see exactly how they are interpreting and engaging with the readings. As your student is working through each unit, you’ll notice that all of the readings are centered on one topic. These topics include social studies, science content, and literary subjects such as point of view, theme, and character.

Every three weeks, you’ll receive a school-to-home letter that will provide additional activities you can do at home with your student. These activities connect to the unit topic and the vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics/word study skills being taught during the unit.

Government in Action

HOW CAN GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE THE WAY WE LIVE?

In this unit, students will read and compare selections about the different things governments do to understand how governments influence our lives.
Characters' Actions and Reactions

HOW DO WE REVEAL OURSELVES TO OTHERS?

In this unit, students will read and compare characters in fables, fairy tales, and fantasies and analyze their actions and reactions.
Observing Nature

HOW DO WE RESPOND TO NATURE?

In this unit, students will read and compare selections about nature to analyze how different writers respond to the natural world.
Understanding Different Points of View

WHAT DO WE LEARN WHEN WE LOOK AT THE WORLD
THROUGH THE EYES OF OTHERS?

In this unit, students will read and compare the points of view in different selections and analyze how point of view affects a story.
Technology for a Green Future

HOW DO WE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT DEVELOPING NEW TECHNOLOGY?

In this unit, students will read and compare sections about developing new technology for a green future.
Confronting Challenges

HOW DO WE OVERCOME OBSTACLES?

How do we overcome obstacles? In this unit, students will read and compare selections about characters facing challenges.
Developing a Nation

HOW DO COMMUNITIES EVOLVE?

In this unit, students will read and compare selections about the development of the United States, to understand how communities evolve.
Earth ChangesUnit 8

HOW DOES EARTH'S NATURAL PROCESS IMPACT OUR LIVES?

In this unit, students will read informational texts and compare informational texts and firsthand accounts to learn about how Earth’s changes impact people’s lives.
Resources and Their ImpactUnit 9

HOW DOES ACCESS TO RESOURCES INFLUENCE PEOPLE'S LIVES?

In this unit, students will read and compare selections about natural resources to understand how access to resources influences people’s lives.
The Power of Electricity

WHERE DO SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES LEAD US?

In this unit, students will read and compare selections about electricity to understand how scientific discoveries change our world.