Lesson 30

Grade 4

Lesson 30
Includes:
• Blackline Masters organized
by lesson
• Weekly Tests for Key Skills
Observation Checklists and other
Informal Assessments can be found
in the Assessment section of the
Grab-and-Go™ Resources for this grade.

hmhco.com
Contents Lesson 30

Blackline Masters
Home Letter, Blackline Master 30.1.................................................................................3
Weekly To-Do List, Blackline Master 30.2........................................................................4
Vocabulary Word Cards, Blackline Master 30.3...............................................................5

Weekly Tests See Assessment for Weekly Tests Answer Keys

Test Record Form, Weekly Tests 30.1.............................................................................6
Vocabulary: Target Vocabulary, Suffixes -er, -or, -ist,
Weekly Tests 30.2–30.3...............................................................................................7–8
Comprehension: Conclusions and Generalizations, Anchor Text,
Weekly Tests 30.4–30.5.............................................................................................9–10
Decoding: Unusual Spellings, Weekly Tests 30.6–30.7........................................... 11–12
Grammar: Pronoun Contractions, Weekly Tests 30.8–30.9..................................... 13–14

English Language Learners

Oral Language Dialogue, Blackline Master ELL30.1.....................................................15
Selection Summary, Blackline Master ELL30.2.............................................................16

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 Lesson 30
Blackline Master 30.1

Home Letter Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Home Letter

Dear Family,
Nature is very fragile. This week we’ll be This week’s…
exploring the question “What can we do to Target Vocabulary: appreciate, effort,
protect the environment?” In Mystery at denied, informed, shallow, resources,
Reed’s Pond, a group of students investigate average, suffered, inspector, progress
an influx of exotic turtles that threaten a
Vocabulary Strategy: Suffixes -er, -or,
local pond. The informational text A Big -ist
Python Problem will inform students about
the trouble caused when pet owners release Comprehension Skill: Conclusions and
large snakes into the wild. The poems generalizations—figure out unstated or
broad ideas
Naming the Turtle and Greater Flamingo
conclude the lesson. Comprehension Strategy: Summarize—
briefly tell the important parts of the text
in your own words
Writing Focus: Opinion writing—opinion
essay

Activities to Do Together
Vocabulary
Choose a Target Vocabulary word and give your child clues about its meaning. For
example, for the word inspector you could give the clue, “It’s someone who examines
something carefully.” See how few clues it takes to guess each word!
Exploring Wildlife
Talk to your child about the wildlife that is native to your area. See how many species
you can list, working together. Use an online source, if necessary.
Protecting Habitats
Discuss with your child ways that people can protect local wildlife. Encourage your child
to choose a method and write an essay to persuade people to use it. Read the essay and
share any ideas for improvement you might you have. Have your child revise the essay,
based on your ideas.

Go to the eBook to read and listen to this

week’s selection.

Home Letter 3 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
BLACKLINE MASTER 30.2
Name Date

Weekly To-Do List

Put an X in each box when you finish the activity.

Must Do May Do
  Practice pages   Reading Log
___________________________
  Vocabulary in Context Cards
  Daily Independent Reading   Practice Spelling Words
  Other ______________________   Work on Writing Assignment
___________________________
  Work on Research and Media
___________________________ Project

  Read Trade Book

  Other ______________________
___________________________
___________________________

Daily Independent Reading

  Monday

  Tuesday

  Wednesday

  Thursday

  Friday

Weekly To-Do List 4 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
BLackline master 30.3
Name Date

Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Vocabulary Word Cards

appreciate resources

effort average

denied suffered

informed inspector

shallow progress

Vocabulary Word Cards 5 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 1
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Test Record Form

Possible Acceptable Student

TEST RECORD FORM
Score Score Score

Vocabulary:  Target Vocabulary, Suffixes -er, -or, -ist 10 7

Comprehension:  Conclusions and Generalizations, Anchor Text 10 7

Decoding:  Unusual Spellings 10 7

Grammar:  Pronoun Contractions 10 7

TOTAL 40 28

Total Student Score × 2.5 = %

Test Record Form 6 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 2
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Vocabulary Vocabulary

Answer Numbers 1 through 10. Choose the best answer for each question.

1 What does the word shallow mean in the 4 What does the word effort mean in the
sentence below? sentence below?
Fred could see the fish swimming in It takes a lot of effort to finish a
the shallow pond. marathon.
A cold F energy
B not deep G runners
C not clean H talent
D freshwater I time

2 What does the word appreciate mean in 5 What does the word denied mean in the
the sentence below? sentence below?
Dad will appreciate the good job you The club denied entry to girls.
did mowing the lawn.
A considered
F be thankful for B delayed
G pay someone for C refused
H point out the faults with D sponsored
I ask someone to do more

6 What does the word pitcher mean in the

3 What does the word informed mean in sentence below?
the sentence below?
The baseball team’s pitcher won
The fire chief informed his crew an award.
about the new rules.
F a photograph
A asked G someone who coaches
B changed H someone who throws a ball
C told I a container for holding liquid
D trained

Target Vocabulary, Suffixes -er, -or, -ist 7 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 3
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Vocabulary

7 What does the word violinist mean in the 9 What does the word scientist mean in the
sentence below? sentence below?
The violinist had a solo in The scientist did an experiment in
the concert. her lab.
A someone who writes music A someone who works alone
B someone who plays a violin B someone who reads about science
C someone who directs bands C someone who explores new places
D someone who makes violins D someone who works in the field of
science

8 What does the word builder mean in the

sentence below? 10 What does the word actor mean in the
sentence below?
We hired a builder to make
the cabinets. The famous actor has been in
many movies.
F someone who sells objects
G someone who installs carpets F someone who acts

H someone who builds structures G someone who is famous

I someone who works for someone else H someone who directs films
I someone who watches movies

STOP

Target Vocabulary, Suffixes -er, -or, -ist 8 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 4
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Comprehension Comprehension

Answer Numbers 1 through 10. Base your answers on the passage “Mystery at
Reed’s Pond.”
1 Which statement is a conclusion you can 4 What can the reader conclude about the
draw, based on evidence in the passage? lettuce in the shopping bag?
A Reed’s Pond is far away from F It was eaten by the birds.
the school. G It was food for the students.
B Brownie is the animal that got in H It was unrelated to the mystery.
the nest.
I It was food for the turtle with the
C Adrian, Mara, and Nicole are red streaks.
observant students.
D Adrian is the only student who has
ever seen the brown turtle. 5 What can the reader conclude about the
teenaged boy?
A He does not like turtles.
2 What does Adrian see FIRST at the
beginning of the passage? B He wants to harm the pond.
F a crushed bird’s nest C He does not want to be seen.
G a teenager on a bicycle D He wants to destroy the nest.
H a turtle with a brown shell
I a turtle with streaks of red 6 Why does the boy say he does not know
anything about turtles?
F He knows what he did was wrong.
3 Why is the shopping bag an important
clue in the passage? G He wants his turtles to be returned.
A It is where the bird built its nest and H He does not want to talk to strangers.
laid its eggs. I He does not want to teach
B It is where the students stored the food the children.
for the brown turtle.
C It means that the pond habitat has
been polluted with a lot of trash.
D It means that a person other than the
students has been to the pond.

Conclusions and Generalizations, Anchor Text 9 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 5
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Comprehension

7 What do the students learn from their 9 What generalization can the reader make
research? about turtles?
A Red-eared sliders are big. A Turtles attack birds.
B Red Dot is a red-eared slider. B Turtles eat bird eggs.
C Red Dot ruined the bird’s nest. C Turtles live near water.
D Brownie is a western pond turtle. D Turtles do not make good pets.

8 What can the reader conclude about 10 What generalization can the reader make
Red Dot? after reading the passage?
F He was the boy’s pet. F People can never harm wildlife.
G He ate the eggs in the nest. G Students should not use computers.
H He grew too big for his shell. H People should never dump their pets.
I He came from a turtle sanctuary. I Adults never listen to children’s
concerns.

Mark Student Reading Level:

STOP
____ Independent  ____ Instructional  ____ Listening

Conclusions and Generalizations, Anchor Text 10 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 6
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Decoding Decoding

Answer Numbers 1 through 10. Choose the best answer for each question.

1 Which word is spelled correctly and 4 Which word is spelled correctly and
BEST completes the sentence below? BEST completes the sentence below?
Zane to turn left at We hung the fan from the
the corner. .
A maent F cealing
B meant G ceeling
C ment H ceiling
D mint I celling

2 Which word is spelled correctly and 5 Which word is spelled correctly and
BEST completes the sentence below? BEST completes the sentence below?
Last year we had a that The dog carried my
caused a lot of damage. outside.
F flood A sheo
G floud B shoe
H flud C show
I flude D shue

3 Which word is spelled correctly and 6 Which word is spelled correctly and
BEST completes the sentence below? BEST completes the sentence below?
The Cougars played the Doreen and her family had a
Eagles last night. day at the zoo.
A agaenst F pleasant
B against G pleesant
C aganst H plesant
D agenst I pliesant

Unusual Spellings 11 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 7
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Decoding

7 Which word is spelled correctly and 9 Which word is spelled correctly and
BEST completes the sentence below? BEST completes the sentence below?
We where this path Some , men, and
will lead. children worked together to clean up
the neighborhood.
A wender
B wonder A women

C woneder B womin

D wunder C womon
D womun

8 Which word is spelled correctly and

BEST completes the sentence below? 10 Which word is spelled correctly and
BEST completes the sentence below?
Evan will how many
jellybeans are in the jar. Which words in
the poem?
F gaess
G gess F rhime

H guess G rhyme

I guss H rhymme
I ryme

STOP

Unusual Spellings 12 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 8
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Grammar Grammar

Answer Numbers 1 through 10. Choose the best answer for each question.

1 Which words stand for the word We’re in 4 Which words stand for the word it’s in
the sentence below? the sentence below?
We’re planning a party for Ethan thinks it’s better to drive to
our neighbors. Houston in the morning.
A We are F it is
B We will G it will
C We have H it was
D We would I it would

2 Which words stand for the word she’s in 5 Which words stand for the word We’ve in
the sentence below? the sentence below?
Cheryl says she’s planning to paint We’ve traveled to Arizona to see the
her bedroom blue. Grand Canyon.
F she is A We are
G she has B We will
H she will C We was
I she would D We have

3 Which words stand for the word they’re 6 Which words stand for the word he’ll in
in the sentence below? the sentence below?
Paul thinks they’re waiting for the Grandpa said he’ll be able to build a
school bus. tree house for us.
A they am F he is
B they are G he am
C they will H he will
D they should I he would

Pronoun Contractions 13 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Lesson 30
w e e k ly t e s t s 3 0 . 9
Name Date
Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Grammar

7 Which words stand for the word they’ll in 9 Which words stand for the word you’re in
the sentence below? the sentence below?
The teachers said they’ll have the Mr. McGregor hopes you’re going to
science fair in April. try out for a part in the play.
A they is A you is
B they are B you are
C they will C you will
D they were D you have

8 Which words stand for the word I’m in 10 Which words stand for the word he’d in
the sentence below? the sentence below?
I’m better at soccer than at baseball. Jermaine thinks he’d like to take an
art class after school.
F I is
G I am F he is

H I are G he had

I I were H he will
I he would

STOP

Pronoun Contractions 14 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 ELL Lesson 30
b l a c k l i n e m a s t e r ELL 3 0 . 1

Turtles in the Pond Mystery at Reed’s Pond

Oral Language Dialogue
Amanda and Hugo are talking about a pond in their
neighborhood park. Act out the parts with a partner.
Then switch roles, and act them out again.

Hugo: I discovered something new at the park today. There is

a sign by the pond that says, “Dumping turtles is illegal.”
Amanda: I know about that. Some people couldn’t take care
of their pet turtles, so they put them in the pond.
Hugo: Why is that illegal?
Amanda: Those turtles don’t belong there. They use up too
many natural resources. Then the other animals don’t
have food.
Hugo: I didn’t know anything about that. I’m glad you
informed me.
Amanda: I’m interested in turtles, so I did some research.
Hugo: What else did you learn?
Amanda: Our town has a turtle sanctuary. People can take
their pet turtles there.

English Language Learners 15 Grade 4, Unit 6

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 Mystery at Reed’s Pond
Every week, the children in
Ms. Cabrera’s class observed different
habitats. Adrian’s job was the observation
of Reed’s Pond with Mara and Nicole.
English Language Learners
Adrian often saw a brown turtle there. He
named it Brownie.
One day he didn’t see Brownie. He
saw a green turtle. It had red dots near its
© Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
eyes. He showed it to Mara and Nicole.
Then Mara saw a broken bird’s nest.
Adrian discovered a broken egg on a
rock. Where was Brownie? Why were the
16
nest and egg broken? It was a mystery.
On Saturday, the three children went
back to the pond. They hid in the bushes.
A boy came. They saw him dumping
something into the shallow water. It was
another green turtle. Why? They decided
to do some research.
Grade 4, Unit 6
At school, the children looked up
turtles on the computer. They found a
newspaper article. It told about people
dumping pet turtles into ponds. It
explained that this is illegal. Dumping
turtles into ponds causes many problems.
The children informed the city about
their observations. Mr. Roberts came to
the pond. He caught the green turtles. He
explained that the brown turtle belonged
in the pond, but the green turtles didn’t.
The green turtles come from far away.
They are bigger than the brown turtles
and eat all their food. They like to sit in
bird’s nests. They can break the nests and
eggs.
Mr. Roberts told the children that he
appreciated their efforts. He invited them
to a special summer ecology camp.
ELL Lesson 30
Selection Summary
b l a c k l i n e m a s t e r ELL 3 0 . 2
Mystery at Reed’s Pond
 Lesson 30
Grade 4

Lesson 30
Includes:
• Blackline Masters organized
by lesson
• Weekly Tests for Key Skills
Observation Checklists and other
Informal Assessments can be found
in the Assessment section of the
Grab-and-Go™ Resources for this grade.

hmhco.com