Problem Solvers Graphic Organizer
4th Grade Reading & Civics Text: "Solving Problems" by Lisa Benjamin
Name:
Date:
Problem Solvers Graphic Organizer
Government Roles & Distinguishing Details During Disasters
Target Reading Skill
Distinguish between important and unimportant information as you read.
Part 1: The Three Levels of Government
Read paragraph 1 to explain each level's role
Local Government
Serves: Towns & cities
What choices & work do they do?
State Government
Serves: States (like NC)
What laws & decisions do they make?
Federal Government
Serves: The entire nation
What is their role for the country?
Part 2: Distinguishing Details (Skill Spotlight)
Separate central ideas from extra facts
Important details explain how government levels team up to solve disaster problems. Interesting details are specific numbers or extra facts that add interest but are not the main point.
Important Information (Key Ideas)
Record 2 key facts about how governments help citizens when disaster strikes:
Interesting Details (Extra Facts)
Record 2 fascinating extra facts (such as exact wind speeds, dates, or dollar amounts):
Part 3: Mid-Read Checkpoint Question
According to the text, why must all three levels of government work as a team when a natural disaster strikes rather than working alone?
North Carolina Standard Course of Study • 4th Grade Civics & Reading Page 1 of 2 (Flip over for Case Studies & Chart)
Page 2 Evidence Gathering & Chart Analysis
Student Name:
Part 4: Disaster Case Studies in the Text
Find specific evidence from pages 4 and 5
Hurricane Irma (Florida, 2017) Sidebar p. 4
Describe the damage and what specific help the federal government provided to Florida:
Superstorm Sandy (NY & NJ, 2012) Article p. 5
Explain which agency helped and how state and local governments used relief funds:
Part 5: Text Feature Detective: Hurricane Losses Chart
Examine the circle graph on page 5
Total Insured Losses
$515.4 BILLION
• Rest of U.S.: 67.5% ($347.8B)
• Florida: 13.3% ($68.6B)
• Texas: 10.7% ($55.0B)
• New York: 8.5% ($44.0B)
Based on the chart and text, why do coastal states face the highest recovery costs, and what kind of government help do they need most?
Part 6: Written Summary (Short Response)
3-4 Complete Sentences
Prompt: Explain how local, state, and federal governments work together as a team when a natural disaster strikes. Include at least two specific details from the text.
Writer's Checklist: Named government levels Included 2 text examples Capital letters & periods
North Carolina Standard Course of Study • 4.C&G.1 & RI.4.2 Page 2 of 2
