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4th Grade Paraphrase a Source worksheets

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Paraphrase a Source

Grade 4 Writing Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Read each source. Circle the best paraphrase.

  1. Source: "Dolphins make clicking sounds to find fish in the water." Which is the best paraphrase?

    • To locate fish underwater, dolphins send out clicks.
    • Dolphins click to tell other dolphins where the fish are.
    • Dolphins make clicking sounds to find fish in the sea.
  2. Source: "Giraffes have long necks that help them eat leaves from tall trees." Which is the best paraphrase?

    • Giraffes eat only grass and small bushes that grow near the ground.
    • Because their necks are so long, giraffes can reach the leaves in tall trees.
    • Giraffes have long necks that help them eat the leaves from the tops of tall trees.
  3. Source: "Sea otters wrap themselves in kelp so they do not drift away while they sleep." Which is the best paraphrase?

    • Sea otters sleep in kelp because it keeps their fur warm.
    • Sea otters wrap themselves in kelp so they do not float away while they sleep.
    • To stay in one place while sleeping, sea otters tangle themselves in seaweed.
  4. Source: "Honeybees do a waggle dance to show other bees where flowers are." Which is the best paraphrase?

    • A bee's wiggling dance tells the hive which way to find flowers.
    • Honeybees do a wiggle dance to show other bees where flowers are.
    • Honeybees dance to tell other bees that rain is coming.
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4th Grade Paraphrase a Source worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Paraphrasing means restating source information in new words while keeping the meaning accurate. It is not enough to swap one or two words, and it is not acceptable to add an opinion that the source did not support. Fourth graders are just beginning to use sources in research and explanatory writing, so they need practice seeing the difference among a true paraphrase, a copied sentence, an inaccurate statement, and a personal reaction.

This worksheet gives one source sentence at a time and asks children to choose the best paraphrase or useful note. Parents should watch for answers that keep the exact sentence structure of the source. A strong paraphrase changes the wording and structure while preserving the important facts clearly.

What your child will learn

  • Restate source information in new words
  • Keep the source meaning accurate
  • Avoid copying the source sentence
  • Use notes to support a paraphrase

Common Core standard: W.4.8

Worked example

If a source says rain gardens collect runoff so water soaks into soil, a paraphrase can say they catch runoff and let it sink slowly into the ground.

Common mistake

Changing only one word from the source and calling the copied sentence a paraphrase.

Helpful hint

Keep the facts, but change the wording and sentence structure.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with paraphrase a source?

Changing only one word from the source and calling the copied sentence a paraphrase.

How can I help my child with paraphrase a source?

Keep the facts, but change the wording and sentence structure.

Are these 4th grade writing worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Short Research Projects · Write From Text Evidence

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