Virginia SOL 4.RL.3

4.RL.3 is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.

• 4.RL.3.A

  Set a purpose for reading by activating prior (experience) and background (content) knowledge.

• 4.RL.3.B

  Compare and contrast details in paired literary and informational nonfiction texts including their treatment of similar themes, topics, and patterns of events.

• 4.RL.3.C

  Explain the overall structure of stories, poems, and plays and how each successive part builds on earlier sections.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students decide why they are reading and recall experiences or facts that will help them understand the text. They compare related literary and factual texts using details. They also explain how a story, poem, or play is organized and how each part builds on what came before.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students state a clear reason for reading and connect useful prior knowledge to the text. They cite details when comparing texts and explain how beginnings, stanzas, scenes, or later events build meaning.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may share any personal connection instead of choosing knowledge that helps with the reading. They may list differences without citing details, or name sections without explaining how later parts depend on earlier events or ideas.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a short story and a related factual passage. Ask them to state a reading purpose, compare one shared topic using details, and explain how the story’s ending builds on an earlier event.

1. 01

   Give pairs a story cut into sections, then have them order the pieces and explain what each section adds.

2. 02

   Ask students to write: How do the story and article treat the same topic differently? Use one detail from each.

3. 03

   Play Structure Sort by having teams place text cards under story, poem, or play and defend each choice.

4. 04

   Pair a survival story with a safety guide, then compare how each text presents the same problem and possible responses.

• 10.RI.3

  The 10th Grade version of this standard.

• 2.RL.3

  The 2nd Grade version of this standard.

• 6.RL.3

  The 6th Grade version of this standard.

• 12.RI.3

  The 12th Grade version of this standard.