What is an important skill that fourth-grade students should develop regarding narratives?

Identifying characters' motives is an essential skill for fourth-grade students as it enhances their understanding of narratives. At this age, students are beginning to deepen their comprehension of literature and stories. Understanding why characters act in certain ways helps them grasp the complexities of plots and fosters critical thinking.

By analyzing motives, students learn to connect with characters on a more profound level, which can enrich their reading experience and promote empathy. It encourages them to think beyond the surface of the text, considering how characters' backgrounds, emotions, and circumstances influence their decisions. This skill not only aids in narrative comprehension but also serves as a foundation for writing their own stories, as they must consider character development and motivation in their creations.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not specifically address the narrative analysis skills that are crucial at this stage of development. Writing original songs, creating visual art, and editing scripts are valuable forms of artistic expression and creativity, but identifying characters' motives is fundamentally linked to narrative understanding and literacy, making it particularly relevant for fourth-grade students.