• 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 ate a piece of cake at the party. (literal: it means exactly what it says / figurative: it means something different) → literal: it means exactly what it saysPrompt: Picture exactly what the words say. Could it really happen?
2. Which kind of text is this? A made-up story that could really happen in everyday life. (science fiction / fantasy / realistic fiction / myth) → realistic fictionPrompt: Is it true (non-fiction) or made up (fiction)?
3. Read the sentence. Ana felt under the weather, so she stayed home. What does "under the weather" mean? (a bit ill / outside in the rain / too hot / very happy) → a bit illPrompt: 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. Everything the new shop owner tries is a success; she has the Midas touch. What does "the Midas touch" mean? (the ability to make things successful / a gentle way of touching / bad luck / very cold hands) → the ability to make things successfulPrompt: Many English words and phrases come from Greek and Roman myths.
2. Read the question. Which word comes from Odysseus, a Greek hero who took ten years to sail home? (titanic / echo / odyssey / mentor) → odysseyPrompt: 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 8 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. The coach was a mentor to the young players. What is a "mentor"? (a strict judge / a new player / a fan / a wise and trusted adviser) → a wise and trusted adviserPrompt: Many English words and phrases come from Greek and Roman myths.
2. Read the question. Which word comes from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalwork? (panic / mentor / cereal / volcano) → volcanoPrompt: 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.