• 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? Hold your horses, we're not ready yet! (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? The true story of a real person's life, written by someone else. (poem / autobiography / biography / fantasy) → biographyPrompt: Is it true (non-fiction) or made up (fiction)?
3. Read the sentence. It costs an arm and a leg to fix the car. What does "an arm and a leg" mean? (a small amount / a lot of money / a doctor's visit / a long time) → a lot of moneyPrompt: 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. When the fire alarm rang, nobody panicked. What does "panicked" mean? (felt sudden wild fear / moved slowly / laughed loudly / sang together) → felt sudden wild fearPrompt: 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 / arachnid / echo) → 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 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. Their trip across the country by bike was a real odyssey. What does "odyssey" mean? (a race / a long journey full of adventures / a holiday at home / a short walk) → a long journey full of adventuresPrompt: Many English words and phrases come from Greek and Roman myths.
2. Read the question. Which word comes from Pan, the Greek god of the wild who was said to cause sudden fear? (volcano / cereal / atlas / panic) → panicPrompt: 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.