Grade 4 Idioms and Plot - PDF

# Plot: Conflict The main character in a story often has a conflict, or problem, that needs to be solved, or resolved. The events caused by the conflict and the steps the character takes to resolve the conflict contribute to the story's plot. ## Find Text Evidence As I reread pages 39 and 40 of "...

# Plot: Conflict The main character in a story often has a conflict, or problem, that needs to be solved, or resolved. The events caused by the conflict and the steps the character takes to resolve the conflict contribute to the story's plot. ## Find Text Evidence As I reread pages 39 and 40 of "The Talent Show," I can see that Maura has a problem. I will list the events in the story. Then I can figure out how Maura finds a solution, or resolution. | Character | Conflict | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Maura | Maura does not want to do an act with Tina but is afraid to tell her. | | Event | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Maura tells Tina about her idea to do a juggling act. Tina dismisses the idea. | | Maura tells her grandmother why she is upset about the talent show. Maura's grandmother advises her to tell Tina the truth about how she feels. | | Resolution | |--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Maura is worried Tina will be mad but calls her anyway. She tells Tina that she wants to do her act alone. The next day Tina lets Maura choose a game. Maura feels that standing up for herself paid off. | ## Quick Tip Characters often learn important lessons as they respond to events and resolve conflicts. As you read, think about what the characters learn and how the characters change, or develop, throughout the story. Pay attention to how these changes affect the story's plot, including how the conflict is resolved. ## Your Turn Reread "The Talent Show." Find other story events. Discuss how they contribute to the plot. Use these events to identify how the conflict is resolved. List them in the graphic organizer on page 47. # Idioms Idioms are phrases that have a meaning different from the meaning of each word in the phrase. Sometimes context clues can help you figure out the meaning of an idiom. ## Find Text Evidence When I read the idiom *see eye to eye* on page 39 in "The Talent Show," the words *After all, we are best friends* help me figure out its meaning. To *see eye to eye* means "to agree." After all, we are best friends; we should be able to see eye to eye about this. ## Your Turn Use context clues to help you figure out the meanings of the following idioms. Use an online resource to check your work. - cat got your tongue, page 40 - *you are very quiet and don't know what to say*, page 41 - *standing up for myself*, page 41 - *defending my ideas and rights* The image shows two cartoon girls looking at each other with thought bubbles above their heads. One girl has a thought bubble saying "After all, we are best friends; we should be able to see eye to eye about this." The other girl has a thought bubble that is blank. The girls both have backpacks on. The caption beneath the image says "After all, we are best friends; we should be able to see eye to eye about this."