The Writing Academy · Content Language Support

A Lone Star Choice

Grade 4 · Cluster 3 · Module 1 (low stamina) · Tap any underlined word to see a picture

Read in Randi Whitney's voice.

Texas stood beneath wide ,

A young in ’s eyes.

Once part of Mexico long ago,

Now standing alone, unsure where to go.

talked both day and night,

About joining the U.S. and what was right.

Some were hopeful, while others felt hopeless.

Wondering what the was about.

In 1845, a change was made,

Texas joined the U.S., a choice that stayed.

But Mexico did not agree,

And anger grew for all to see.

Soon a began to rise,

With marching under open skies.

Battles were fought both near and far,

Each side showing who they are.

The war came to an end at last,

But its effects were strong and vast.

The U.S. gained across the ,

Changing the and passing the test.

For Texas, the choice had shaped its way,

A state in the U.S. from that day.

Its still helps people see

How choices reshape history.

The highlighted key words in this passage are tappable. Each opens a simple picture, the content language support accommodation for new English language learners.

Take Turns Reading (Fluency)

The teacher reads one line and pauses. The student reads the next line. Keep taking turns to the end of the passage.

  1. Model. Read each Teacher line with clear expression and phrasing, then pause so the student knows it is their turn.
  2. Track. The student points under each word with a finger or pointer, left to right and top to bottom, while you read and while they read.
  3. Praise. Name what went well in the student's reading, such as expression, smooth phrasing, or a tricky word said with accuracy. Reread any tricky word together.

Feedback on rate, accuracy, and prosody: Fluency Feedback Guide, Grade 4

  1. 1.Teacher readsTexas stood beneath wide skies,
  2. 2.Student readsA young republic in people’s eyes.
  3. 3.Teacher readsOnce part of Mexico long ago,
  4. 4.Student readsNow standing alone, unsure where to go.
  5. 5.Teacher readsLeaders talked both day and night,
  6. 6.Student readsAbout joining the U.S. and what was right.
  7. 7.Teacher readsSome were hopeful, while others felt hopeless.
  8. 8.Student readsWondering what the choice was about.
  9. 9.Teacher readsIn 1845, a change was made,
  10. 10.Student readsTexas joined the U.S., a choice that stayed.
  11. 11.Teacher readsBut Mexico did not agree,
  12. 12.Student readsAnd anger grew for all to see.
  13. 13.Teacher readsSoon a war began to rise,
  14. 14.Student readsWith soldiers marching under open skies.
  15. 15.Teacher readsBattles were fought both near and far,
  16. 16.Student readsEach side showing who they are.
  17. 17.Teacher readsThe war came to an end at last,
  18. 18.Student readsBut its effects were strong and vast.
  19. 19.Teacher readsThe U.S. gained land across the West,
  20. 20.Student readsChanging the map and passing the test.
  21. 21.Teacher readsFor Texas, the choice had shaped its way,
  22. 22.Student readsA state in the U.S. from that day.
  23. 23.Teacher readsIts story still helps people see
  24. 24.Student readsHow choices reshape history.
ELPS supported by this routine
  • ELPS 3(H) Read with fluency and prosody and demonstrate comprehension of content-area text.
  • ELPS 3(A) Demonstrate awareness of print concepts and directionality of reading as left to right and top to bottom.
  • ELPS 2(A) Pronounce words, including high-frequency words, cognates, and increasingly complex syllable types, with accuracy.
The Writing Academy · Content Language Support · Grade 4 Cluster 3