• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Literal or figurative? Phrases that don't mean what they say; What kind of text is it? Fable, myth, biography, instructions…). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Is this sentence literal or figurative? I'm so hungry I could eat a horse. (literal: it means exactly what it says / figurative: it means something different) → figurative: it means something differentPrompt: Picture exactly what the words say. Could it really happen?
2. Which kind of text is this? A made-up story with magic, like dragons or talking trees. (news report / instructions / fantasy / biography) → fantasyPrompt: Is it true (non-fiction) or made up (fiction)?
3. Read the sentence. When Mo saw the spider, he jumped out of his skin. What does "jumped out of his skin" mean? (He was very startled. / He hurt himself. / He took off his coat. / He jumped very high.) → He was very startled.Prompt: The words do not mean exactly what they say.

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Words from myths (a Herculean task, an Achilles' heel). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Everything the new shop owner tries is a success; she has the Midas touch. What does "the Midas touch" mean?
• Step 1: Words from myths keep a link to the story they came from.
• Step 2: So the answer is: the ability to make things successful
• Answer: the ability to make things successful
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Use the sentence to work out the meaning. The coach was a mentor to the young players. What is a "mentor"? (a new player / a wise and trusted adviser / a strict judge / a fan) → a wise and trusted adviserPrompt: Many English words and phrases come from Greek and Roman myths.
2. Read the question. Which word comes from Arachne, a weaver who was turned into a spider in a Greek myth? (cereal / atlas / echo / arachnid) → arachnidPrompt: Say the name and each word aloud. Which sounds alike?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Use the sentence to work out the meaning. Tidying the whole house in one hour was a Herculean task. What does "Herculean" mean? (very old / needing huge strength or effort / very quick and easy / very tidy) → needing huge strength or effortPrompt: Many English words and phrases come from Greek and Roman myths.
2. Read the question. Which word comes from Echo, a nymph in a Greek myth who could only repeat other people's words? (titanic / odyssey / atlas / echo) → echoPrompt: Say the name and each word aloud. Which sounds alike?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-4.