This document provides instructions for a lesson on incorporating text evidence into opinion writing. Students will write an essay comparing the points of view in two stories, "My Breaking In" and "Quiet!", and discuss which point of view is more effective. The teacher models finding and annotating text evidence from the stories to support positions in the essay. Students then work with partners to find text evidence about the characters from each story before sharing their notes with another group.

1. Incorporate Text Evidence
GRADE 4, UNIT 4, WEEK 3, MINI-LESSON 4 (15-20 minutes)

2. Incorporate Text Evidence
I will be able to:
Write opinion pieces on texts.
Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.
Participate in discussions with classmates by being prepared.
Ask and answer questions in discussions.
Review key ideas.

3. Engage Thinking
This week we will compose an essay comparing and
contrasting the points of view in “My Breaking In” and
“Quiet!” You will give an opinion, supported by details
from the texts, about which point of view is more
effective in telling a character’s story.

4. Read and Analyze the Prompt
Remember, a skillful writer analyzes a prompt to understand what
is required in their writing. I am going to model analyzing a
prompt. You will analyze your prompt on page 31 of your Texts for
Close Reading later today. I will also model how I will incorporate
text evidence into an essay that compares and contrasts points of
view in “My Breaking In” and “Waiting for Stormy.” You will use the
same strategy to address a similar prompt based on “My Breaking
In” and “Quiet!”

5. Model
“My Breaking In” is narrated by the horse explaining his life
to the reader in his own “voice.” In “Waiting for Stormy,” the
reader learns about Misty’s life through third person
narration. Write an essay in which you compare and
contrast the points of view in the two stories. Explain the
differences in the two points of view and discuss which one,
in your view, is more effective in telling the character’s story.
Why? Share your reasons and support your positions with
details from the text.

6. Model
Text Evidence from “My Breaking In”
“handsome”
“fine and soft” “bright black” coat
one white foot, white star on his forehead
four years old
used to a halter and headstall, but needed to get used to
a bit and bridle

7. Model
Text Evidence from “Waiting for Stormy”
the first ponies to come to Assateague and Chincoteague
looked like Misty
Maureen’s worry about Misty is show in her daydream
Paul’s worry about Misty is shown in his “daymare”
Misty is well cared for as she waits to give birth; warm shed,
plenty of hay, block of salt, sweet clover
“contentment”

8. Production Engagement: Partner
“My Breaking In” is narrated by the horse explaining his life
in his own “voice.” In “Quiet!” the reader learns about Lad’s
life through third person narration. Write an essay in which
you compare and contrast the points of view in the two
stories. Explain the differences in the two points of view and
discuss which one, in your view, is more effective in telling
the character’s story. Why? State your reasons and support
your position with details from the text.

9. Productive Engagement: Partner
Now it’s time to work with a partner to find two pieces
of text evidence that show what the narrators of “My
Breaking In” and “Quiet!” reveal about the characters of
Black Beauty and Lad.

10. Share
What did you and your partner find and record?

11. Manage Independent Writing
Please take a few moments to share your text evidence
notes with another team. Remember, you are not
comparing the characters of Black Beauty and Lad, but
comparing how well the narrator reveals character
through detail.