Overview
This is a self-contained, no-technology substitute packet for Grade 4. Students read an
original informational article, "Octopuses: Smart Ocean Helpers," then find its main idea
(the most important point), list supporting details, decide the author's purpose
(inform, persuade, or entertain), and write a short summary. Working alone with a pencil,
students predict from the title, read the article, name the main idea, find two details,
pick the detail that best supports the main idea, and write a one-sentence main idea plus a
3–4 sentence summary. Every question can be answered directly from the printed article, and
the article can be read aloud.
Accessible version of the student activity
The full student activity, including the complete article, is reproduced below in plain,
screen-reader-friendly HTML. It reflows on phones and at 200% zoom. Write your answers on
the printed packet.
Start (5 minutes) — Look & Predict
- The article is called "Octopuses: Smart Ocean Helpers." From the title, write one
thing you predict the article will teach you.
- The main idea is the most important point the whole article is about. Name one animal
you already know something about, and write one fact you know.
Build (10 minutes) — Read the article
Words to know (from the article)
- ocean
- the big body of salt water where octopuses live.
- tentacle
- one of the eight long arms of an octopus.
- predator
- an animal that hunts other animals for food.
- camouflage
- a way of hiding by changing color to match what is around you.
"Octopuses: Smart Ocean Helpers" — an original article
Paragraph 1. The octopus is one of the smartest animals in the ocean. It has a
soft body, no bones, and eight long arms called tentacles. Even though it looks strange,
the octopus is very clever. Scientists say it can solve puzzles that stump many other
animals.
Paragraph 2. An octopus is a great problem solver. In one test, a scientist put
a tasty crab inside a jar with a lid. The octopus felt the lid with its arms, twisted it
open, and pulled the crab out. Some octopuses have even learned to open jars from the
outside and the inside. That takes a lot of brainpower for an animal with no bones.
Paragraph 3. The octopus is also very good at hiding. Its skin can change color
in less than a second. It uses this camouflage to match rocks, sand, or coral. Hiding
helps the octopus stay safe from a hungry predator, like a shark or an eel. It can also
squeeze its soft body into a space as small as a coin to escape danger.
Paragraph 4. Octopuses even use tools, which not many animals do. Some carry
empty coconut shells across the ocean floor. When danger comes, they climb inside the
shells and hide, like moving into a little house. Using an object to stay safe is a sign of
a smart mind.
Paragraph 5. From solving puzzles to changing color to carrying shells, the
octopus shows how clever ocean animals can be. The next time you think of a smart animal,
do not forget the eight-armed octopus. It may be one of the cleverest creatures under the
sea.
- In paragraph 1, what does the article say the octopus is one of? Use a detail from the
article.
Apply (15 minutes) — Read closely
- Main idea: What is the most important point of the whole article? Write it as one sentence.
- Supporting details: Write two details from the article that show the octopus is smart,
each with a paragraph number.
- Author's purpose: Did the author write to inform (teach facts), persuade (make you
agree), or entertain (tell a fun story)? Choose one and give a reason from the article.
- Which detail best supports the main idea? Choose one.
- A. The octopus has a soft body and no bones.
- B. The octopus twisted open a jar lid to get the crab inside.
- C. The octopus lives in the ocean.
- D. A shark or an eel can be a predator.
Then (7b) tell in one sentence why that detail best shows the main idea.
Explain (10 minutes) — Write your main idea & summary
Question 8. Write the main idea in one sentence. Then write a 3 to 4 sentence
summary of the article using details. A summary tells the most important parts — you do not
need every little thing. Finish by telling how your details show the main idea.
You may start your sentences with: "The main idea is…"; "One way…"; "Another way…";
"Also,…"; "These details show…"
Close (5 minutes) — ACE
- Answer: say the main idea of the article in your own words, in one sentence.
- Cite: name one paragraph that helps show the main idea.
- Extend: what is one new thing you learned about octopuses? Write one sentence.
Continue (optional, ~15 minutes) — Early finisher
Write a new title for the article that fits the main idea. Then write one sentence telling
why your title fits.
Turn in
Hand in the whole packet with your name, class, and date, with questions 1–8 and the ACE
box done. Include the optional new title if you did it.