CurriculumGrade 4English Language Arts

A Speaker's Reasons

Aligned to SL.4.3 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

What this lesson teaches

When someone tries to convince you of something out loud, listen for their reasons and evidence — the facts or examples that support their point. Good listeners can tell the difference between an opinion and the proof behind it.

Worked example

A classmate says, 'We should plant a garden.' Her reasons: it teaches us about plants, and it gives us fresh food. Those reasons are what make her point convincing.

Practice questions

  1. Listen to someone share an opinion and name one reason they give for it.
  2. Explain how a reason is different from just an opinion.
  3. Think of a request you might make and list two good reasons to support it.

Watch the lesson

Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.

▶ Watch this lesson

En español

Las Razones de Quien Habla

Cuando alguien trata de convencerte de algo en voz alta, escucha sus razones y evidencia — los hechos o ejemplos que apoyan su punto. Los buenos oyentes pueden distinguir entre una opinión y la prueba que la respalda.

Ejemplo: Una compañera dice: 'Deberíamos plantar un jardín.' Sus razones: nos enseña sobre las plantas y nos da comida fresca. Esas razones son las que hacen convincente su punto.

More Speaking & Listening lessons

Discussion & PresentingSL.4.1Paraphrasing What You HearSL.4.2Giving a Clear ReportSL.4.4Adding Audio and VisualsSL.4.5Formal or Informal?SL.4.6

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