CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4

ELA4th GradeCraft and Structure

The Standard

Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literature

What This Standard Means

Students need to figure out what a word or phrase means by using the sentence, scene, and character actions around it. They also need to notice when a story uses a myth-based reference, such as a name or trait from a famous myth, and connect that reference to the meaning.

Mastery looks like explaining the word in their own words and pointing to clues in the text. Students often get stuck when they grab the first dictionary meaning, miss figurative language, or do not know the myth being referenced.

Ways to Teach It

Give pairs a short myth reference card set, then have them match each allusion to a sentence where it would make sense.
Ask students to write: What clues helped you figure out this tricky word, and what meaning fits best here?
Use a three-question exit ticket with one unknown word, one phrase, and one myth-based allusion from the day’s reading.
Show a sports headline using “Herculean effort,” then have students explain why the writer chose that word.

Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4

Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.

Chat About This Standard Generate a Lesson Plan

The Standard

What This Standard Means

Ways to Teach It

Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.4

Related Standards