Components of WordGen Elementary

There are several newscasters, including Paige Reider (aka Claire White, WG's co-creator) and Justin Thyme. They introduce the topic covered in the unit through a video newscast.

Students read the interviews of two intrepid fourth grade reporters, Susana Flores and Arun Khanna, who interview experts on the unit’s topic.

Students discuss and/or debate the topic of the week with their classmates.

Different characters give their perspectives or positions on the topic of the week. Students read the script together and then discuss each character’s point of view.

Students read short informational texts connected to the topic of the week.

Students take a stand on the issue (their own or a character’s) and write a letter or persuasive essay about it.

Students focus on learning the definitions of the focus words found throughout the unit activities.

Students read and solve math or science problems that have focus words in them.

Students read about Hester, Grace, and Betsy – young women from American history. They learn about their lives through journals and see that communities long ago faced similar challenges as we do today.