Paraphrasing What You Heard
A 40-minute Grade 4 lesson on paraphrasing portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media.
Paraphrasing What You Heard is a free 40-minute Grade 4 English lesson plan for Common Core standard SL.4.2 — put part of what you heard or saw into your own words. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 4
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- SL.4.2
Grade 4 · Speaking & Listening
SL.4.2
Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Objective
Students will be able to paraphrase a portion of something heard, accurately and in their own words.
Students are successful when they can
- Paraphrases without copying phrases.
- Keeps the meaning.
- Says which portion they paraphrased.
What you need
- A text read aloud and a short clip
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — say it back
5 min- Read two sentences. Take three paraphrases.
- Compare them for accuracy, not for elegance.
Teach — a portion, not the whole
13 min- Read a longer piece. Name one portion to paraphrase.
- Paraphrase it aloud, then write it.
- Show a paraphrase that summarised the whole thing instead. It lost the portion's detail.
- Say the difference: a summary compresses, a paraphrase restates at similar length.
- Do the same with a clip, where the phrasing is harder to hold.
“A paraphrase is about the same length. If it got much shorter, you summarised.”
Guided practice — two portions
12 min- Play or read something new. Students paraphrase two named portions.
- Partners check for copied phrases and for accuracy.
- They compare lengths against the original.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the paraphrasing page.
- Read the passage aloud twice.
Close
2 min- Take one paraphrase and check it against the original.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Summarises instead of paraphrasing.
Why: Summarising is the familiar response and it is shorter.
Fix: Compare lengths. A paraphrase is roughly the same size.
Reproduces the speaker's distinctive phrases.
Why: They are the most memorable part.
Fix: Say it aloud before writing. Speaking naturally uses different words.
Changes the meaning while changing the words.
Why: The goal became avoiding the original wording.
Fix: Check against the original. Accuracy is the first requirement.
If they are not there yet
- One portion rather than two.
- Hear it three times.
If they finish early
- Paraphrase a portion containing a technical term.
- Paraphrase from a clip with visual information.
- Judge which of two paraphrases is more accurate.
Exit ticket
Paraphrase this portion of what you heard.
What to look for: Similar length, own words, meaning intact. Much shorter means a summary was produced instead.
Printable practice for SL.4.2
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Paraphrase What You HeardRead the text, then answer the questions.
Questions about Paraphrasing What You Heard
How long does the Paraphrasing What You Heard lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Paraphrasing What You Heard teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.2 — SL.4.2, Speaking & Listening for Grade 4: “Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.” In plain terms, put part of what you heard or saw into your own words.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
A text read aloud and a short clip and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: summarises instead of paraphrasing; reproduces the speaker's distinctive phrases and changes the meaning while changing the words. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “Paraphrase this portion of what you heard.” Similar length, own words, meaning intact. Much shorter means a summary was produced instead. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Paraphrasing What You Heard?
Yes — 1 printable SL.4.2 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Paraphrasing What You Heard free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to SL.4.2 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.