24.U4S5 - BCSD Static Server

4 th Gradersʼ The Lorax Project
U4S5 and U5S1
Research Based Narrative in the Style of The Lorax
First published in 1971, Dr. Seuss’ beloved tale The Lorax
chronicles the plight of the environment and the Lorax, an
advocate who “speaks for the trees” against the greedy Once-ler.
The story details the decline of the Truffula forest, the Swomee-
Swans song, the Humming-Fish hummed, and the Brown Barba-loots
as the huge Thneed-making business of the Once-ler
grows. As whimsical as all Dr. Seuss tales, The Lorax contains
key messages regarding the destructive nature of deforestation
yet highlights the positive roles that every individual can play in
the fight against destructive forces.
This assignment is designed to celebrate the Lorax’s message to
protect the environment, and to say Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Dr. Seuss, AKA Theodor Geisel, lived and worked in San Diego, California. In order to celebrate Dr. Seuss
and The Lorax, fourth graders are to write a story in the style of Dr. Seuss about one of the nearly 300
endangered or threatened plants and animals that reside in California. This assignment will be due on March
2 nd , Dr. Seuss’ Birthday. In the past, stories have been written in book form with illustrations. I am hoping to
see a number of outstanding stories that can be displayed in class. Have Fun!
There are three parts to this assignment: 1) review The Lorax and think about the story’s meaning; 2) after
choosing a California endangered or threatened species, complete research to find out why the population is
declining and what we can do to prevent its decline; and 3) write a story about the species in the style of Dr.
Seuss. Be sure to include a bibliography (reference list) at the end of your story with at least three reliable
sources that you used.
In order to receive full credit for this writing assignment, the narrative essay must
Focus/Ideas
Organization
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Clear, focused narrative with engaging topic and descriptive details
Provide a thoroughly developed sequence of significant events.
Maintain a consistent point of view, focus, and organizational structure.
Clearly address the writing task. The fairy tale has a modern California setting and modern characters.
Demonstrate a clear understanding of purpose. Organized with a clear problem and solution.
Include the use of transition words and phrases within sentences and among paragraphs.
Include a clearly presented central idea with relevant facts, details, and/or explanations. This will be a
multi-paragraph narrative.
Voice
• Have the voice of the character/narrator believable and engaging.
Word Choice
• Include vivid descriptive language and sensory details that enable the reader to understand the writer’s
thinking, and/or imagine the events or experiences.
Sentences
Conventions
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Include clear, varied sentences. Uses compound and complex sentences.
Have excellent “flow.”
Follow the 4 th Grade Style Sheet.
Contain only some errors in the conventions of the English language (grammar, punctuation, capitalization,
spelling, and handwriting). These errors do not interfere with the reader’s understanding of the writing.
Demonstrate “Pride of Work” in the paper’s overall quality.
Use correct form for references.

Name _______________________________
4 th Grade Spelling Parent Initial: Activity Leader:
U4S5 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander
Prefixes un-, dis-, in-
All of your spelling homework must be completed and turned in on Friday. In order to better remember
how to spell the words (increase visual memory), you will be expected to print your words and sentences
on Friday’s test.
All Spelling homework is required to be completed neatly and with pride on Wide Ruled Notebook paper
- no frayed edges will be accepted. Be sure to follow the correct heading for each page.
• On a separate sheet of paper, PRINT each of your spelling words three times each.
Also, be sure to practice your sentences for Friday’s test (see other side).
1. un-: not 9. un•im•por•tant 17. dis•o•bey 24. an•ti-: against
2. un•fair 10. un•sus•pect•ing 18. dis•res•pect 25. an•ti•so•cial
3. un•like•ly 11. dis: not, opposite of 19. dis•con•tin•ue 26. an•ti•bi•o•tic
4. un•list•ed 12. dis•trust 20. in-: not, opposite of 27. id•i•os (G root): own,
personal, distinct
5. un•a•ware 13. dis•count 21. in•com•plete 28. id•i•om
6. un•o•pened 14. dis•or•der 22. in•di•rect 29. mal-: bad
7. un•cer•tain 15. dis•re•pair 23. in•a•bil•i•ty 30. mal•func•tion
8. un•solved 16. dis•ap•prove 31. ma•lig•nant
• For this assignment, look up the synonyms of at least ten of your spelling words in a Thesaurus. On a
separate sheet of paper, list the words, and then all of the synonyms that you find for each of the
words. You may use a Thesaurus, www.thesaurus.com, or the Thesaurus in a software program such
as Microsoft Word.
#. Entry word: Synonyms:
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• Complete the Crossword puzzle for this week’s spelling words.
• Thursday: On a separate sheet of paper, take a spelling pre-test for both the words and the dictation
sentences.
• On a separate piece of paper, write your sentences two times each. PRINT the sentences the first time;
use cursive the second time. Be sure to practice the sentences for Friday’s test. They will be dictated
to you, and you will be expected to print your responses.

1. An idiom is a commonly used expression or phrase that means something different than
what it appears to be.
An idiom is a commonly used expression or
phrase that means something different than
what it appears to be.
2. The boy loftily observed that reading the chapter “The Case of the Bank Robber” in the
book Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective was a piece of cake.
(Idiom: piece of cake)
The boy loftily observed that reading the
chapter “The Case of the Bank Robber” in the
book Encyclopedia Brown: Boy Detective was a
piece of cake.
3. The brain behind keeping the crooks from getting away with their crimes was ten-yearold
Encyclopedia Brown.
(Idioms: the brain behind, getting away with)
The brain behind keeping the crooks from
getting away with their crimes was ten-yearold
Encyclopedia Brown.
4. Sometimes the Brown family was tempted to tell the world about Encyclopedia’s
amazing talent as a crime-solver, but so far they hadn’t leaked a word.
(Idioms: tell the world, leaked a word)
Sometimes the Brown family was tempted to
tell the world about Encyclopedia’s amazing
talent as a crime-solver, but so far they hadn’t
leaked a word.
5. Whenever Chief Brown was stumped, Encyclopedia cracked the case for him, usually by
asking just one question.
(Idiom: cracked the case)
Whenever Chief Brown was stumped,
Encyclopedia cracked the case for him, usually
by asking just one question.
6. Write your own sentence that uses an idiom.
Carol Kohn, Ed.D.
U4S5 Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of the Slippery Salamander

U4S5 Encyclopedia Brown
Name:________________________
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Across:
2 - Cancer is a ___ disease. The villain gave a ___ grin.
5 - Dylan bought the book at ___ because it was on sale.
7 - rudeness
8 - a sentence that has a subject and a predicate as an
independent clause
9 - of no special value or interest
10 - a commonly used expression or phrase that means
something different than what it appears to be
11 - something that you are not sure about
12 - An adjective clause usually begins with a relative ___.
13 - the Greek root that means own, personal, distinct
17 - Fourth graders at Downtown School are the definitely
the opposite of being ___.
19 - antonym of opened
20 - antonym of finished
22 - lack of order.
23 - not right or just
24 - a prefix that means bad
26 - Underline or italicize the titles of books, magazines,
newspapers, works of art, and long musical compositions.
28 - not in a straight line
29 - to go against the rules or someone's wishes
30 - a meaning of the prefixes un-, in-, dis
31 - an exaggeration
32 - The math problem remained ___ for a number of
years.
33 - a comparison of two things that uses the words like or
as
34 - Something that needs to be fixed is said to be in ___.
35 - a telephone number that is not in the telephone book
Down:
1 - The prefixes dis- and in- can
mean ___ of.
2 - a machine that does not work
correctly
3 - opposite of suspecting
4 - An ___ clause is a group of
words that tell about a noun.
6 - a drug, such as penicillin, that is
used to kill bacteria to cure
infections and diseases
7 - something that you don't think is
a good idea
13 - lack of power or ability to do
something
14 - a kind of sentence that has two
independent clauses joined by a
conjunction
15 - not probable
16 - Who, whose, whom, and that
are ___ pronouns.
18 - the meaning of the prefix anti-
19 - does not know about something
21 - a comparison of two things that
does not use the words like or as
25 - to stop something that is done
regularly
27 - If you ___ someone, you think
the person may do you harm.
Possible Answers: adjective, against, antibiotic, antisocial, compound, disapprove, discontinue, discount, disobey,
disorder, disrepair, disrespect, distrust, hyperbole, idiom, idios, inability, incomplete, indirect, mal, malfunction, malignant,
metaphor, not, opposite, pronoun, relative, simile, simple, unaware, uncertain, underline, unfair, unimportant, unlikely,
unlisted, unopened, unsolved, unsuspecting
Carol Kohn, Ed.D.
U4S5 Encyclopedia Brown

U4S5 Encyclopedia Brown
# Words Read per Minute _____ - # Errors ____
by Donald J. Sobol
# Correct Words per Minute _______
Realistic Fiction • Flesch-Kincaid Readability Level: 6.3
To a visitor, Idaville looked like an ordinary seaside town. It had churches, two car
washes, and three movie theaters. It had bike paths, sparkling white beaches, a
synagogue, and plenty of good fishing spots. But there was something out of the
ordinary about Idaville: For more than a year, no child or grown-up had gotten away
with breaking a law. People wanted to know: How did Idaville do it
The secret resided in a red brick house at 13 Rover Avenue. That was where
Idaville’s police chief lived with his wife and son. Chief Brown was a smart, kind, and
brave man. But he wasn’t the one who kept crooks from getting away with their
crimes. No, the brains behind it all was his ten-year-old son, Encyclopedia.
Encyclopedia’s real name was Leroy. But only his parents and teachers called him
that. Everyone else called him “Encyclopedia” because his brain was filled with more
facts than a reference book. Sometimes the Brown family was tempted to tell the
world about Encyclopedia’s amazing talent as a crime-solver. But so far they hadn’t
leaked a word. For one thing, the Browns didn’t like to boast. For another, who would
believe that Idaville’s top detective was a fifth-grader
______________________________________________________________________
One Monday night Chief Brown sat at the dinner table, staring at his plate of
spaghetti. So far he hadn’t slurped up a single strand. Encyclopedia and his mother
knew the reason. The chief wasn’t eating because he had come up against a crime that
he couldn’t solve. Encyclopedia waited for his dad to tell him about the case.
Whenever Chief Brown was stumped, Encyclopedia cracked the case for him, usually
by asking just one question.
At last Chief Brown looked up. “There was a theft at the aquarium today,” he said,
rubbing his forehead. Last summer an aquarium had opened near the beach. The most
popular attractions were the giant shark tanks, the dolphin shows, and the Den of
Darkness.
The Den of Darkness was a huge indoor exhibit of reptiles and amphibians.
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Encyclopedia especially liked visiting the frogs and salamanders in the amphibian
section.
“I hope the great white sharks weren’t stolen,” Mrs. Brown said with a smile. “That
would certainly take a bite out of business.”
Chief Brown shook his head. “It wasn’t the sharks.”
Encyclopedia put down his fork and listened carefully as his father explained that
Fred, a tiger salamander, had been stolen.
“Fred was shipped to the aquarium only two days ago,” Chief Brown said. “He was
being kept apart from the other animals until the officials were sure he was healthy. If
he got a clean bill of health, he would go on display next month.”
“Do you have any clues, dear” Mrs. Brown asked.
The chief frowned. “Not many. All we know is that the salamander disappeared
this morning, sometime between ten-thirty and eleven forty-five.”