4th Grade Summaries Theme 4
My Name is Maria Isabel
Summary 1:
When Maria Isabel Lopez Salazar moved to a new part of town, the shy
fourth-grader had to switch schools. As if that wasn’t troublesome enough, there
were two other girls in her new class also named Maria. Now her new teacher was
calling Maria Isabel “Mary Lopez” – just to keep things simple.
Maria Isabel’s name was important to her. So when the teacher called out
“Mary Lopez,” offering a singing part in the upcoming winter play, no wonder
Maria Isabel didn’t answer. She didn’t realize that was supposed to be her! All
because of this misunderstanding, she would miss a chance to fit in. What would
she tell her family when they asked why she wasn’t in the play? If only she could
explain things to her teacher.
Soon everyone was preparing for the play – except Maria Isabel. She felt
disappointed and left out. Then, just before the play, her teacher had the class write
an essay titled “My Greatest Wish.” After thinking hard about it, Maria Isabel
wrote that she wanted to sing in the play. She didn’t stop there. She also wrote why
she wanted to be called by her real name.
The next day, after reading the essays, the teacher called on her. This time,
however, she said “Maria Isabel.” Maria Isabel would be singing in the play after
all! The day of the play, her parents watched proudly as Maria Isabel sang her
favorite holiday song.
Poem: Perfect Day!
I walked into my classroom
And I heard my teacher say,
“Your science test is on the wall
Because you got an A!”
The drama teacher chose me
As the lead in our school play.
So if we get a long recess,
Today will be the PERFECT day!
Summary 2:
Maria Isabel had just started at a new school. In her new class, the teacher
called her “Mary Lopez” instead of Maria Isabel Salazar Lopez.
Maria Isabel was not used to being called Mary. When the class was picking
roles for the Winter Pageant, Maria Isabel didn’t hear the teacher call her. Since
she didn’t get a role in the play.
Maria Isabel was unhappy that she wasn’t in the pageant. She felt left out of
all the fun and excitement. Maria Isabel sat by herself when everyone else was
rehearsing. She wished she could tell her teacher that she wanted to be in the
pageant, but she was too shy.
One day the teacher had the class write an essay called “My Greatest Wish.”
Maria Isabel wrote that her greatest wish was to be called by her real name: Maria
Isabel Salazar Lopez. She also wrote that she wished she had a part in the Winter
Pageant.
After the teacher read her essay, she started to call Maria Isabel by her real
name. The teacher understood how she felt, and Maria Isabel got to sing in the
Winter Pageant.
Marven of the Great North Woods
Summary 1:
Back in the 1918 a dangerous illness struck the city where young Marven
and his family lived. To keep Marven safe, his parents sent him up to the snowy
woods of northern Minnesota. There he would work as a bookkeeper – at a logging
camp!
All alone, Marven made the long trip north. The camp was a strange place,
full of towering trees and immense men called lumberjacks. It was like a whole
new world. As if that wasn’t scary enough, the lumberjacks spoke only French!
Getting settled took Marven a lot of time. He also needed a good mind for solving
all kinds of problems. For example, what’s the best way to wake up cranky,
sleeping lumberjacks every day? But the hardest part was always having to wonder
if his family was healthy back home. Were they even still alive?
In time, Marven learned to make the best of his difficult situation. He even
made and unlikely friend – a huge lumberjack named Jean Louis. Together, they
sang French songs and hiked the beautiful, winter landscape.
One day, Marven was told it was time to return to his family. He said goodbye to Jean Louis. On the train, he wondered who, if anyone, would be home to
greet him. At the station, Marven was happy to find his whole family safe and
healthy. At last, the sickness was over – and Marven was home.
Poem: Skiing Lesson
I put my feet together
So my skis are side by side
I push off with my poles
And my skis begin to slide.
I bend my knees to balance.
I lean right or left to turn.
Put on your skis and try it.
Anyone can learn!
Summary 2:
In 1918, Marven had to leave the city. There was a dangerous illness in the
city. Marven’s family didn’t want him to get sick. So Marven’s parents sent him to
a logging camp. Marven could work as a bookkeeper there. Marven was only ten
years old, and he went by himself.
When Marven got to the logging camp, it seemed like a new world. It was
full of tall trees and huge men. It was very cold and snowy. Marven faced many
problems: what to eat, how to wake up the lumberjacks, and how to do his job as a
bookkeeper.
After a few weeks, he did his job very well. He finished early each day, and
had free time. Marven made a friend, a huge lumberjack named Jean Louis.
Together, they sang songs, played games, danced, and hiked.
Marven stayed in the Great North Woods for four months. He was always
worried about his family. He wondered if they were sick. Finally, it was time for
Marven to go back home. He took the train back to the city. He was happy to see
his whole family at the station. The illness was over, and Marven was home.
The Last Dragon
Summary 1:
When Peter Chang was told that he would spend the summer with his Great
Aunt in Chinatown, he was disappointed. Her apartment was too small, and
Chinatown seemed so strange to him. But his opinions of Chinatown began to
change soon after he noticed an old dragon costume in a local shop.
Right away, Peter knew he just had to have that dragon, which hung in the
window, dusty and forgotten. It was in pretty sad shape, full of holes and even
missing its eyes. Still, Peter didn’t care. He decided he would fix it. But he knew
he couldn’t do it alone.
Great Aunt suggested that Peter take the dragon to the local tailor, who
agreed to fix part of it. Before Peter knew it, even Great Aunt and her friends were
pitching in. Soon, it seemed like the whole community was helping to make the
dragon come alive. Meanwhile, Peter was making many new friends and exploring
Chinatown. He learned that it was filled with all kinds of special people and places.
On his last night in Chinatown, Peter and his friends went out to eat. The
best part of the evening – and of the whole summer – was when ten people wearing
the beautiful dragon costume snaked around the table and out into the streets,
which were teeming with people. It looked as good as new!
Poem: The Secret of the Dragon
Your dragon face is colorful.
Your eyes are open wide.
Your body twists and moves around.
Your tail swings side to side.
I almost would believe you’re real,
Except I’ve found some clues.
Underneath your long, bright tail
I spy some tennis shoes!
Summary 2:
Peter Chang was not happy. He had to spend the summer with his great aunt
in Chinatown. Her apartment was small. Everything in Chinatown was strange to
Peter.
Peter’s feelings about Chinatown changed when he saw the dragon costume.
He thought the dragon was special. The dragon needed a lot of repairs. He was old
and dusty and had a lot of holes. He didn’t even have any teeth or eyes. Peter
decided that he would fix the dragon.
But Peter couldn’t fix the holes in the dragon alone. He went to the tailor,
who could fix the holes in the dragon’s body. Pretty soon, Great Aunt and her
friends decided to help. Peter got many people from the community to help fix the
dragon. Peter made friends in Chinatown.
Finally, on Peter’s last night in Chinatown, the dragon was finished.
Everyone in town had worked together. Peter was happy when he saw people
wearing the dragon costume. The dragon looked new. The dragon went around the
streets of Chinatown. Peter liked his beautiful dragon. He liked Chinatown, too!
Sing to the Stars
Summary 1:
Ephram swings his violin case as he strides past his neighbor Mr.
Washington. Even though Mr. Washington is blind, he always knows it’s Ephram.
He can tell by the rhythm of the young violinist’s footsteps. He can even hear
Ephram practicing through his open window sometimes.
Mr. Washington suggests that Ephram play at tomorrow’s park concert. But
the thought of playing in front of all those people makes Ephram nervous. Mr.
Washington tells Ephram that music meand the most when it’s shared with others.
Later that night, Ephram learns that Mr. Washington used to be a wellknown piano player. In fact, “Flash Fingers” played all kinds of music – that is,
until he lost his daughter and his sight in a terrible car accident years ago. This
gives Ephram an idea: he will play in the concert – but as part of a duet.
The next day, Ephram asks Mr. Washington to perform with him. The idea
makes Mr. Washington nervous. It’s been so long since he last played. What if he’s
no good anymore?
That night at the concert, just as it’s time for Ephram to perform, there is still
no sign of Mr. Washington. Ephram’s duet is going to turn out to be a solo, it
seems. But then he spots his friend. Smiling, Ephram reminds Mr. Washington of
his own words: music speaks best when someone listens. That’s all the piano
player needs to hear. Together, they take the stage and perform their beautiful duet
beneath the summer stras.
Poem: Jazz Band
The drummer starts the rhythm.
The crowd picks up the beat.
When the saxophone joins in,
The people move their feet.
The big bass plays the low notes.
Folks are dancing in the aisles.
When the trumpet plays a solo,
The audience goes wild!
Summary 2:
Ephram was walking home from his violin lesson. He stopped to talk to Mr.
Washington. Mr. Washington was blind, but he always knew when Ephram was
walking down the street. Mr. Washington had heard Ephram play his violin. He
knew that Ephram played well.
Mr. Washington told Ephram that there would be a concert the next night. It
was an open mike concert, so anyone could perform. Mr. Washington told Ephram
that he should play. Ephram was nervous. He didn’t know if he would play his
violin at the concert.
Later that night, Ephram found out that Mr. Washington used to be a
professional piano player. But Mr. Washington never played anymore. Years ago,
Mr. Washington had a car accident. He lost his sight, and his daughter died in the
accident. Mr. Washington didn’t have enough joy in him to play music anymore.
Ephram had an idea. He would play at the concert. And Mr. Washington
would play with him. Even though they were both nervous, Ephram and Mr.
Washington played a duet at the concert. They played beautiful music.