This book contains four complete, inter-disciplinary units that focus in on ELA Common Core standards. The four units are (1) Inventions, (2) The effects of Westward Expansion on Native Americans, (3) Nature and Natural Disasters (with a Poetry component), and (4) Overcoming Struggles. Within each unit are 3-6 lessons that identify Common Core standards, materials, estimated time, objectives, instructional sequence, and extension activities for each. Some lessons may include suggested readings and are often picture books that need to be purchased separately (or checked out from a library). Individual lessons have reproducibles with directions (graphic organizers, worksheets, etc.). Lessons generally take students through a research phase, writing piece, and a final product. This book utilizes progressive/modern beliefs about learning such as including a "Redesign Phase" for students to improve their work, alternative assessments such as writing a play, writing a monologue, creating a movie poster, and making trading cards, and opportunities for collaboration. I can see utilizing each of these units as stand alone ELA units or taking lessons from each unit to include in content area or ELA units. Either way, I think you will be happy with the ideas within this book!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of "Challenging Common Core Language Arts Lessons - Grade 4" from LibraryThing. This did not influence my review in any way, however. ( )

I received this book via Early Reviewers. As with any teacher resource book, there are lessons that you can pick and choose to easily fit into your classroom. They are neatly laid out and easy to understand with pages you can copy for your class. ( )

This book offers a selection of different lesson plans, broken out into their smaller parts. Each lesson is outlined into the same format, making for easy reading and easier browsing. It includes graphic organizers for each lesson, rubrics, and thoughtful questions that address each level of Bloom's Taxonomy. The first section of each outline addresses common core standards experienced during the lesson, allowing teachers to easily see which standards they have addressed and which ones need addressing. The outlines also include time expectations, however, this is not broken down for the individual parts of the lesson, leaving it up in the air how much time you should devote to each mini-lesson. While this offers "freedom," it's hard to gauge how they reached their timing for the entire lesson without seeing the breakdown (five minutes here and five minutes there can make a unit grow or shrink rather quickly). ( )

This program was designed for use in a gifted program, however, the lessons in this book could be used whole-group in a regular classroom, as well as in small groups and in individualized instruction. It is broken into four literature based mini-units on the impact of: inventions on the quality of life, westward expansion on Native American culture, nature on people, and overcoming challenges. Through well-designed lessons students research, design, create projects, and write in various styles. Each unit concludes with a culminating essay. Graphic organizers, rubrics, answer key, and alignment to ELA CCSS are included.
Every classroom has students who would benefit from these lessons! ( )

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
Educators are provided with four mini units which are guided by the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Broken into sections students can work through initial practice, learning, and reviewing each unit. 5 point rubrics allow quick assessment as one progresses through the unit to ensure comprehension. This text also provides worksheets for the activities and space for notes to be taken.
Since this contains many abstract concepts and contents, many students could find challenging. This should not discourage you. With guidance and time students can find connections which will allow them better understanding of the topics.