Unit 1

What is Courage ?

Lesson 1

Reader's Notebook - Assessment

Mia's Problem

Now that you’ve learned a little more about making predictions, it’s time for you to try predicting in today’s story.


Mia’s Problem is a story about a girl who has a big problem at school. 
While you read her story, think about the Big Question for this Unit:
“How do real people and fictional characters display courage?”

Follow steps 1 to 3 below to begin making predictions.


STEP ONE: Open your Literacy in Action 4A  textbook to page 4. You know from the title that the story is about a problem. Look at the question in the green circle on page 4. It suggests that the problem has something to do with courage. 

Look at all the pictures on pages 4 to 7 and think about the answers to the following questions: 

  • Which character do you think is Mia?
  • Does Mia look unhappy, but the other kids look happy? 
  • What do you think the problem might be?
  • Make a prediction based on the question above.
STEP TWO: Read only page 5 of the story, Mia's Problem. While you read page 5, notice what the characters in the story do. Afterwards, think about what you read and answer these questions.
  • Why is Mia scared?
  • What will happen if Mia has to make a speech?
  • Why is she making the speech? What about the other kids in her group?
STEP THREE: Now, pause and check the prediction you made in step one. Use what you know from reading page 5 of the story, and the pictures on pages 6 & 7. Was your prediction correct?
  • What do you think will happen next?

Make your new predictions, and then read the rest of the story.