A 4-day beginning fourth-grade reading unit integrating RL.4.3 and RL.4.4 where students analyze characters, settings, and events in 'The Garden on Oak Street', use context clues, interpret figurative language (similes and metaphors), explain mythological allusions, and describe how word choice shapes tone.
The Greek hero Hercules cleaned the Augean stables by rerouting an entire river with stone barriers instead of shoveling alone.
How It Applies to the Story
Priya uses the Hercules myth to inspire Marcus: they build a “Herculean wall” to divert the flood with strategy rather than brute force.
Calling a task “Herculean” means it requires extraordinary effort, strength, or cleverness!
Citing Text Evidence With A-C-E
RL.4.3 & RL.4.4
A
Answer
State your clear claim about the character, word choice, or allusion.
Priya uses mythological wisdom to solve the flood.
C
Cite Evidence
Quote specific dialogue, narration, or figurative language with paragraph numbers.
In ¶12, she says Hercules “rerouted the river.”
E
Explain
Explain how the quote proves your answer and connects to the story outcome.
This proves she uses ancient strategy to save the garden.
Always cite the paragraph number: “In paragraph 12, the author writes...”
Our 4-Day Unit Roadmap
Pacing Guide
Day 1
Characters & Clues
Identify traits, motivations, and use context clues for key terms.
Day 2
Setting & Tone
Analyze the alley slope and track how word choice creates tone.
Day 3
Similes & Myths
Interpret similes, metaphors, and the Hercules allusion.
Day 4
Culminating Check
Complete the 4-day RL.4.3 & RL.4.4 mastery assessment.
Open your Garden Sleuths packet to start today’s lesson!
Daily Debrief: Turn & Talk
Discussion
Investigator Question:
“How does the author use the simile ‘like rolling bowling balls’ and the allusion to Hercules to show the danger and the clever solution?”
Partner A: Explain what the bowling ball simile tells us about the storm.
Partner B: Explain why Priya mentions the Hercules myth in paragraph 12.
Oak Street Champions • 4-Day Unit Ready for daily worksheet practice →
2. Turning Point & Character Change: How does this allusion inspire Marcus to transform his behavior in ¶13 and ¶14?
Oak Street Champions • 4-Day Packet Page 2 of 3 • Day 3 Activities
Day 4 Culminating Evaluation
RL.4.3 & RL.4.4 Mastery Assessment
Total Score: / 20
Part 1: Literary Analysis Multiple Choice (2 pts each)
1. (Context Clues) Based on paragraph 4, what does the word parched most likely mean?
A) Covered with deep mud and gravel.
B) Extremely dry and cracked from summer heat.
C) Freshly watered and ready for seeds.
D) Soft and spongy like a lawn.
2. (Figurative Language) Why does the author use the simile “like rolling bowling balls” to describe the storm clouds?
A) To show that the clouds were bright white and playful.
B) To emphasize that the storm was heavy, dark, and tumbling with destructive force.
C) To show that the characters wanted to play a sport instead of gardening.
D) To suggest that the rain would pass without touching the ground.
3. (Mythological Allusion) In paragraph 14, when Marcus says Priya performed a “Herculean miracle,” what does this allusion suggest?
A) She used magic spells to stop the clouds from raining.
B) She showed immense cleverness and strength to solve an almost impossible challenge.
C) She found an ancient Greek treasure buried in the dirt.
D) She traveled to Mount Olympus to ask for help.
Part 2: RL.4.3 & RL.4.4 Extended Synthesis Response (8 pts)
Prompt: In depth, describe how BOTH the setting (the sloped alley) AND Priya’s mythological idea about Hercules shaped the characters’ choices. Explain how Marcus changed his traits, using evidence from dialogue and actions.
Oak Street Champions • 4-Day Packet Page 3 of 3 • Day 4 Assessment
Slides 6–8 • Packet Page 3
Instruction: Review the A-C-E citation model (Slide 6). Administer the 3-item text analysis and extended response (35 mins). Conclude with Slide 8 partner turn-and-talk debriefing how figurative language and the Hercules myth deepened the story’s theme.
Targeted Differentiation Scaffolds
Striving Readers
Highlight context clues in ¶2 (“hand shovel”).
Provide sentence frame for simile: "The author compares clouds to... to show..."
Tone sorting cards: group words into scary/tense vs. happy/calm.
Partner read-aloud for dialogue in ¶12–14.
Advanced Explorers
Write an original myth-inspired simile for the rebuilt trellis.
Explain how the metaphor in ¶1 foreshadows the heat crisis.
Compare Hercules’s labor to modern environmental engineering.
Integrated RL.4.3 & RL.4.4 Scoring Rubric
Level
Character & Setting In-Depth (RL.4.3)
Craft, Figurative & Myth (RL.4.4)
Evidence Citations
4 • Advanced
Thoroughly explains internal traits, motivations, setting hazards, and growth.
Accurately interprets similes, tone shifts, and explains how the Hercules myth inspired the solution.
Cites 2+ direct quotes with paragraph references and strong explanations.
3 • Proficient
Identifies traits, setting effect, and explains character change accurately.
Interprets figurative language and explains the Hercules connection clearly.
Cites 1-2 accurate text details or quotes with explanations.
2 • Developing
Lists surface feelings; unclear description of growth or setting effect.
Identifies similes but struggles to explain meaning or the myth allusion.
General mention of the story without exact quotes or paragraph tags.
1 • Novice
Inaccurate character or setting descriptions.
Misunderstands figurative language and myth allusion.
Lacks textual evidence or citations.
Oak Street Champions • 4-Day Teacher Guide Page 2 of 2 • Scaffolds & Rubric
Day 4: Assessment Multiple Choice & Extended Scoring Key 20 Points Total
Q1: B (2 pts)
Context in ¶4 (dry and cracked from heat) shows parched means extremely dry.
Q2: B (2 pts)
The bowling ball simile emphasizes heavy, dark clouds rolling with destructive force.
Q3: B (2 pts)
A “Herculean miracle” alludes to extraordinary strength and clever strategy.
Part 2 Extended Response Exemplar (8 pts):
In The Garden on Oak Street, both the physical setting and Priya’s mythological allusion directly shaped the characters’ choices. The lot was situated at the base of a steep alleyway where storm runoff naturally channeled like a rushing river (¶6). Marcus, motivated by winning the blue ribbon, had impatiently planted seedlings right in this runoff trench (¶2, ¶6). When the thunderstorm broke, water flooded the beds and Marcus’s hastily built trellis collapsed into the mud (¶9). However, Priya saved the garden by recalling the ancient Greek myth of Hercules rerouting the river to clean the king’s stables (¶12). Instead of giving in to despair, she used the setting’s available paving bricks to engineer a curved barrier. This allusion inspired Marcus to change: he abandoned his boastful impatience and worked in “harmony” with Priya, carrying heavy stones and packing gravel (¶13). The brick barrier safely steered the muddy flood into the gravel ditch. In the end, Marcus transformed into a thoughtful teammate who vowed, “From now on, we plan first and plant second” (¶14).
Oak Street Champions • 4-Day Answer Key Page 2 of 2 • Days 3–4 Solutions
Part 4: In-Context Sentence Decoding 6 Points
Directions: Read each sentence from the story. Use your decoding strategies to figure out the underlined word. Write a synonym or definition on the line.
1. Marcus propped up a lightweight wooden frame in the mud.
Meaning / Synonym:
2. Water poured off the metal gutters of the neighboring apartment buildings.
Meaning / Synonym:
3. The friends worked together to redirect the muddy stream.
Meaning / Synonym:
Oak Street Champions • Independent Phonics Practice Page 2 of 2 • Vowel Sort & Sentence Decoding
