Story Matters Teacher Guide Grade 4 ELD Pull-Out • WIDA Levels 2.8–3.3 Unit: Bridge Builders | Session 1 of 2
My Story Matters: Teacher Facilitation Guide
40–45 Minute Small Group Protocol for Affirming Identity, Cultural Assets, & Connected Discourse
WIDA 2020 Standard: Language for Social and Instructional Purposes
Speaking & Listening Objective Students will share 3 aspects of their personal identity (name origin/meaning, languages spoken at home, and cultural/family traditions) using compound sentence frames ("I speak... and my family celebrates..." ) with 80% accuracy.
Reading & Writing Objective Students will read scaffolded identity prompt cards and record 2 partner insights using descriptive adjectives and transition words ("Also," "Both of us" ) on their interactive talk cards.
1 Connect & Activate: Identity Welcoming Routine (6 Mins) Group of 4–6 Students
Teacher Script: "Welcome to our Bridge Builders circle! Every single one of you brings special languages, stories, and superpowers to our 4th grade crew. Today, our goal is to share our true stories so our classroom becomes stronger. Watch me first: 'My name is Ms. Rivera. At home, I speak Spanish and English, and one tradition I love is making tamales during the holidays.' "
Routine: Pass the "Speaking Star" token. Each student states their name and one language or strength using the sentence starter: "My name is ___, and I am proud of ___."
2 Direct Instruction & Anchor Chart Unpacking (10 Mins) Visual Scaffold Integration
Key Vocabulary to Pre-Teach:
• Identity: Who you are inside and out.
• Tradition: A special custom your family repeats.
• Asset / Superpower: A strength you share.
Target Sentence Structures:
Level 2.8: "I speak ___. I celebrate ___ with my family."
Level 3.3+: "Although I speak ___ at school, I speak ___ at home because ___."
Unit: Bridge Builders • Pull-Out ELD Grade 4 Page 1 of 2 • Teacher Guide
Step-by-Step Small Group Practice & Differentiation Lesson 1: My Story Matters
3 Guided Partner Talk: "Card Swap & Bridge" (12 Mins) Structured Peer Routine (QSSSA)
Question: Partner A picks a talk card (e.g., "What is a family tradition or food that makes you smile?" ) and reads aloud.Signal: Partner B gives thumbs-up when ready to respond using the card's sentence frame.Stem: Partner B begins: "A tradition that makes me smile is ___ because ___." Share: Partner A listens, nods, and asks one follow-up question: "Can you tell me more about ___?" Assess: Teacher circulates with anecdotal checklist, praising expanded noun phrases.
4 Game Protocol: "Roll & Share Community Board" (10 Mins) Interactive Oral Fluency
Place the "Roll & Share" board in the center. Students roll a 6-sided die, move their game piece, and respond to the square prompt. If they use a connector word (and, also, because, but ), they earn a "Community Star"!
Teacher Facilitation Tip: Model how to echo: "I heard you say that you love soccer. Me too!"
WIDA Level Differentiation Guide (Pull-Out Scaffolds)
WIDA Level 2.8 (Developing)
Provide visual word banks with pictures for foods, hobbies, and languages.
Use 2-part cloze sentence frames: "My favorite ___ is ___."
Allow 5 seconds of think-time before partner response.
WIDA Level 3.3 (Expanding Transition)
Prompt for multi-clause reasoning: "I like to ___ because it helps me ___."
Encourage students to compare: "Both Juan and I celebrate ___."
Have student summarize their partner's response in 2 complete sentences.
Formative Language Check (Exit Routine - 4 Mins)
Each student completes this verbal ticket before returning to their homeroom:
"One thing you should know about my story is that I ________________, and I am proud of it!"
Unit: Bridge Builders • Pull-Out ELD Grade 4 Page 2 of 2 • Teacher Guide
Story Matters Slides Bridge Builders • Grade 4 ELD Small Group Workshop
Lesson 1
My Story Matters: Sharing Who I Am
Our names, languages, cultures, and superpowers make our classroom strong!
Speak Proudly
Listen with Respect
Celebrate Everyone
Our Bridge Builders Circle Norms
Warm-Up Routine
All Languages Welcome
Every language you speak at home is a brain superpower. Share your words!
Think Time First
Take 5 deep seconds to think before you speak. No rushing in our circle!
Sentence Frames Help
Use the cards and anchor charts on our table to build confident sentences.
Warm-Up Starter:
"My name is ______, and one thing I am proud of is ______."
Power Words for Sharing Our Story
Word Bank
Identity
Who you are as a person
Your name, family background, languages, feelings, and beliefs.
Example: "My Mexican heritage is part of my identity."
Tradition
Special family customs
Foods, celebrations, holidays, or songs passed down each year.
Example: "Our tradition is cooking together on Sundays."
Superpower
Your unique strengths
Skills like translating for others, drawing, sports, or kindness.
Example: "My superpower is helping friends solve problems."
💡 Remember: No two students have the exact same story!
Sentence Builder: Connecting Two Ideas
Model & Practice
Step 1: Simple Sentence One Big Idea
"I speak Arabic at home with my grandparents."
Step 2: Connecting with "AND" / "ALSO" ★ Target 4th Grade ELD Goal
"I speak Arabic at home, AND we celebrate Eid every year."
Step 3: Explaining with "BECAUSE" ★ Expanding Challenge
"I love playing soccer BECAUSE it connects me to my cousins and friends."
✨ Connecting Words: and • also • because • but
Small Group Game: Talk Cards & Roll & Share
Partner Speaking Time
A
Partner A: The Interviewer
Pick up a colorful Talk Card.
Read the question clearly with eye contact.
Ask: "Can you tell me more about that?"
B
Identity Anchor Chart Grade 4 ELD Visual Reference Tool
My Story Anchor Chart: Who I Am
Bridge Builders Circle
Table Companion
1. Names & Languages
Linguistic Assets
Basic Frame:
"My name is ___, and I speak ___ at home."
Expanded Frame (WIDA 3+):
"At home, I speak ___ with my ___, but at school I also use English."
🗣️ Spanish • Arabic • Vietnamese • Somali • Tagalog • Any Home Language!
2. Traditions & Foods
Family & Culture
Basic Frame:
"My favorite family food is ___."
Expanded Frame (WIDA 3+):
"One tradition my family celebrates is ___ because we enjoy ___ together."
🍲 Rice & beans • Pho • Tamales • Sambusa • Dumplings • Family feasts
3. Strengths & Hobbies
Skills & Interests
Basic Frame:
"I am great at ___, and I love ___."
Expanded Frame (WIDA 3+):
"A superpower I bring to Grade 4 is ___ because I can help others with ___."
⚽ Soccer • Drawing • Math • Gaming • Helping • Storytelling • Music
4. Partner Conversation Moves
Active Listening Stems
Ask for More Details:
"• 'Can you tell me more about your ___?' "
Find Common Ground:
"• 'Both of us enjoy ___!' OR 'I also speak ___!' "
🤝 Eye contact • Nodding • Friendly tone • Respectful listening
Bridge Builder Sentence Connectors (Combine Two Thoughts!) Grade 4 Target Connectors
AND Adds another idea
ALSO Gives more info
BECAUSE Tells why / reason
BUT Shows a contrast
Bridge Builders ELD Unit • Small Group Anchor Chart Keep in Center of Table during Speaking Routines
Identity Talk Cards Lesson 1 Activity Sheet • Partner Talk Cards
Identity Speaking Cards (Cut or Pick from Table)
Name: _________________
Date: _________________
Card 1 • Name & Meaning
"What is your name, and who gave it to you (or what does it mean)?"
Sentence Frame: "My name is ___, and my family chose it because ___."
Card 2 • Home Languages
"What language(s) do you speak or hear at home with your family?"
Sentence Frame: "At home, I speak ___ with my ___, and I also use English."
Card 3 • Favorite Food
"What is a delicious meal or treat your family makes together?"
Sentence Frame: "A special meal we enjoy is ___ because it tastes ___."
Card 4 • Traditions
"What holiday, custom, or festival does your family celebrate?"
Sentence Frame: "Every year, my family celebrates ___ by ___."
Card 5 • Talents & Superpowers
"What is something you are proud of doing well (sports, art, music, math)?"
Sentence Frame: "A superpower I have is ___ because I practice ___."
Card 6 • Helping Others
"How do you like to help your classmates or family members?"
Sentence Frame: "I like to help others by ___, and that makes me feel ___."
Card 7 • Grade 4 Dream
"What is one big goal or skill you want to achieve in 4th grade?"
Sentence Frame: "In 4th grade, I want to learn ___ so that I can ___."
Card 8 • Free Choice Star
"Share any interesting fact or story about your family or pets!"
Sentence Frame: "One interesting thing you might not know is that ___."
Partner Follow-up Prompt: "Can you tell me more about that? Why is that special to you?"
Interactive Speaking Board Game
Roll & Share: Community Bridge Board
Use 1 Die (🎲) & Player Counters
How to Play: 1. Roll die. 2. Move token. 3. Answer using the prompt. 4. Earn a star for using AND, ALSO, or BECAUSE!
START 🚀
Introduce your name & favorite color
2 🗣️
Say "Hello" in another language
3 🍲
Name 2 favorite foods using "AND"
4 ⭐
Voice Power Teacher Guide Grade 4 ELD Pull-Out • WIDA Levels 2.8–3.3 Unit: Bridge Builders | Session 2 of 2
Classroom Voice Power: Teacher Facilitation Guide
40–45 Minute Functional Language Protocol for Self-Advocacy, School Navigation, & Academic Clarification
WIDA Standard 1: Language for Social and Instructional Interaction
Speaking & Listening Objective Students will produce 4 functional self-advocacy phrases (asking for repetition, requesting partner clarification, locating supplies, and signaling confusion) using modal polite structures ("Could you please repeat...", "May I check..." ).
Functional Roleplay Objective Students will match 8 classroom challenge scenarios to corresponding linguistic solutions and execute a paired roleplay dialogue with partner feedback.
1 Hook & Problem Framing: The Silent Struggle vs. Voice Power (6 Mins) Total Participation Routine
Teacher Script: "Imagine your 4th grade teacher gives directions really fast: 'Open your math binder to page 47, do questions 3 through 8 with your shoulder partner, and remember to use the blue color code!' Who has ever felt lost or nervous to raise their hand? It happens to everyone! Today, you are getting 4 secret voice keys so you never have to stay confused."
2 Direct Instruction: The 4 "Help Signals" (10 Mins) Anchor Chart & Choral Mimicry
Signal 1 • The Repeat Button "Could you please repeat that one more time?"
Signal 2 • The Example Request "Could you show me an example of what to do?"
Signal 3 • The Supply / Space Check "Excuse me, where can I find the ___?"
Signal 4 • The Partner Collaboration "Would you like to compare answers on problem ___?"
Unit: Bridge Builders • Pull-Out ELD Grade 4 Page 1 of 2 • Teacher Guide
Step-by-Step Roleplay, Game Scaffolds, & Assessment Lesson 2: Classroom Voice Power
3 Guided Roleplay: "Classroom Rescue Protocol" (12 Mins) Pair & Switch Routine
Scenario Draw: Pair draws a Challenge Card (e.g., "You lost your pencil and don't know where the sharpener is" ).Role 1 (Student): Uses the target stem: "Excuse me, could you tell me where I can find a sharpened pencil?" Role 2 (Helper / Teacher): Responds politely: "Sure! The pencils are in the blue bin next to the sink." Feedback Loop: Partner gives a "Voice Meter" rating: Clear volume, polite words, and eye contact.
Voice Power Slides Bridge Builders • Grade 4 ELD Classroom Communication
Lesson 2
Classroom Voice Power: Speak Up with Confidence!
Master the secret phrases for asking questions, getting help, and owning your 4th grade day.
Clear Voice
Polite Words
No Fear of Mistakes
What Happens When You Feel Stuck?
Classroom Moments
Teacher Spoke Fast
The directions were given so quickly that you didn't catch which page to open.
Missing Supply
You need an eraser, highlighters, or a ruler, but you don't know where they are kept.
Need a Partner
The teacher says "Find a partner" and you aren't sure how to invite someone.
🌟 Solution: You don't have to stay quiet! You have Voice Power!
The 4 Magic Help Keys
Power Phrases
1
Repeat Signal
"Could you please repeat that one more time?"
2
Example Signal
"Could you show me an example of the first one?"
3
Location Signal
"Excuse me, where can I find the _____?"
4
Partner Signal
"Would you like to be partners on this task?"
💬 Pro Tip: Always start with "Excuse me" or "Could you please..." !
Roleplay Theater: Pair & Practice
Try It Out
Scenario A: Math Directions Math Block
The teacher wrote 3 steps on the board, but you don't know what step 2 means.
"Excuse me, Mr. Santos, could you please explain what step 2 means?"
Scenario B: Partner Search Reading Block
Everyone is picking partners to read a story. You see Alex sitting nearby.
"Hi Alex, would you like to partner up and read together?"
1. Make eye contact 👀 • 2. Use your Level 3 classroom voice 📢 • 3. Say "Thank you!" after receiving help 🙏
Routine Quest Mission: Match & Solve!
Game Directions
1
Draw Problem Card
Pick a situation card from the center of the table. Read the challenge.
2
Find Voice Solution
Find the matching phrase card that solves the situation politely and clearly.
3
Perform Dialogue
Act out the scenario with your partner and earn a Voice Power Star!
Help Signals Anchor Chart Grade 4 ELD Classroom Navigation Tool
Classroom Help Signals Anchor Chart
Bridge Builders Circle
Table Companion
1. The Repeat Signal
When instructions went too fast
Basic Sentence:
"• 'Could you please repeat that one more time?' "
Specific Sentence (WIDA 3+):
"• 'Could you please repeat step ___ a little slower?' "
Use when: whole class instructions or reading aloud
2. The Example Signal
When you need to see a model
Basic Sentence:
"• 'Could you show me an example of the first one?' "
Specific Sentence (WIDA 3+):
"• 'I understand problem 1, but could you model problem ___?' "
Use when: math steps, graphic organizers, writing rubrics
3. The Location Signal
When finding supplies or areas
Basic Sentence:
"• 'Excuse me, where can I find the ___?' "
Specific Sentence (WIDA 3+):
"• 'May I please go get a ___ from the supply station?' "
Supplies: pencils • scissors • glue • graph paper • dictionary
4. The Partner Signal
When working with classmates
Invite a Partner:
"• 'Would you like to partner up on this activity?' "
Check Understanding Together:
"• 'What did you get for number ___? Let's check together.' "
Use during: think-pair-share, reading groups, lab work
The 3-Step Polite Voice Routine Self-Advocacy Mastery
Step 1: Get Attention Raise hand or make eye contact + "Excuse me..."
Step 2: State Your Need Use one of your 4 Help Signals clearly
Step 3: Close Politely Listen carefully + "Thank you for helping me!"
Bridge Builders ELD Unit • Classroom Voice Power Anchor Chart Keep in Center of Table during Speaking Routines
Routine Quest Game Cards Lesson 2 Activity Sheet • Scenario Cards
Classroom Voice Power: Challenge Cards
Name: _________________
Date: _________________
Scenario 1 • Fast Directions
"The teacher gave 4 science steps very fast and you only heard step 1."
Voice Power Response: "Excuse me, could you please repeat step 2 and step 3?"
Scenario 2 • Missing Ruler
"You need a centimeter ruler for your math worksheet, but none are on your desk."
Voice Power Response: "Excuse me, where can I find the rulers for our math lesson?"
Scenario 3 • Unclear Word
"There is a big vocabulary word on the board you have never seen before."
Voice Power Response: "Could you please explain what the word '___' means?"
Scenario 4 • Finding a Partner
"Your teacher says 'Pair up for reading!' You see Maya sitting alone."
Voice Power Response: "Hi Maya, would you like to read this story together?"
Scenario 5 • Math Model Needed
"You read the word problem, but aren't sure whether to add or multiply."
Voice Power Response: "Could you show me an example of how to set up problem 1?"
Scenario 6 • Broken Pencil Tip
"During independent writing, your pencil breaks in the middle of a sentence."
Voice Power Response: "May I please sharpen my pencil at the sharpener station?"
Scenario 7 • Group Disagreement
"Your group partner has a different answer than you on question 3."
Voice Power Response: "I got a different answer. Can we explain our thinking to each other?"
Scenario 8 • Restroom Request
"The whole class is reading silently and you urgently need the restroom."
Voice Power Response: "Excuse me, may I please use the restroom and take the hall pass?"
Voice Check: "Speak clearly • Use a polite tone • Always say thank you!"
Partner Practice & Self-Advocacy Log
Routine Quest: Roleplay Tracker
Partner: __________________
Mission: Pick 3 cards from Page 1 with your partner. Act out the roleplay. Give each other stars for Eye Contact , Clear Voice , and Polite Words !
