Lesson 4: My Country, My Pride!

Prefixes • Denotation vs. Connotation • Demonstratives • Symbolism

Grade 4 • English

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1. Structural Analysis: 7 Target Prefixes Root Words + Affixes

A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a root word to create a new word with a new meaning.

Prefix	Meaning	Example in Context
non-	not, without	nonviolent (peaceful protest)
anti-	against, opposing	antiwar (against conflict)
de-	remove, reverse, down	defend (ward off attack), defrost
mal-	bad, wrong, poorly	malnutrition (poor nourishment)
sub-	under, below, beneath	submarine, subsoil
a-	without, not, on	atypical (not typical), ashore
under-	beneath, insufficient	underground (shelter), undercook

2. Denotation vs. Connotation Literal vs. Implied

• Literal (Denotative) Meaning: The exact dictionary definition of a word.
• Implied (Connotative) Meaning: The emotional or cultural feeling a word triggers (positive, negative, or neutral).

Example: Home vs. House
• House: A physical building structure (Denotative).
• Home: A place of warmth, family, safety, and love (Positive Connotation).

3. Demonstrative Subject Pronouns Clarity & Verb Harmony

Demonstrative pronouns point directly to specific persons or things.

This (Singular • Near)
Takes singular verb (is/has):
This is our national flag.

That (Singular • Far)
Takes singular verb (is/stands):
That stands for brave heroes.

These (Plural • Near)
Takes plural verb (are/show):
These are our cultural relics.

Those (Plural • Far)
Takes plural verb (are/protect):
Those are the Sierra mountains.

4. Literary Inference (Setting, Theme, Genre) & Visual Symbolism Comprehending Literature & Media

• Setting: The time and location where a story happens (e.g., A mountain cave during WWII in 1942).
• Theme: The core moral message or life lesson (e.g., Unity and courageous love for one's homeland).
• Genre: The category of literature (e.g., Historical Fiction, Patriotic Narrative, or Memoir).

• Visual Symbolism: Images crafted to evoke powerful ideas:
  ⭐ Three Stars & Sun: Unity of Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao; bright dawn of freedom.
  🟦 Royal Blue: Peace, truth, and justice.
  🟥 Scarlet Red: Patriotism, courage, and readiness to defend the nation.

Worksheet 1: Structural Analysis & Prefixes

non-, anti-, de-, mal-, sub-, a-, under- • Word Power

Grade 4 • English

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Part A: Prefix Matching & Word Decoding (8 Points) Write the Letter of Meaning

Read the prefixed words in Column A. In the box, write the letter of the correct meaning from Column B based on its prefix and root word.

1 underground (shelter)

2 antiwar (movement)

3 malfunction (radio)

4 submarine (vessel)

5 nonstop (service)

6 defrost (rations)

7 atypical (behavior)

8 malnourished (children)

Column B (Meanings):
A. Opposed to or against armed warfare
B. Located or operating beneath the surface of the earth
C. Failing to operate or work correctly
D. To remove frost or ice
E. Operating or traveling below sea water
F. Continuing without any pause or cessation
G. Suffering from poor or improper nutrition
H. Not normal, irregular, or without typical qualities

Part B: Prefix Word Building in Sentences (8 Points) Fill in the Blank

Use the prefixes in the Word Bank (non-, anti-, de-, mal-, sub-, a-, under-) with the root word in parentheses ( ) to form the correct word that completes each patriotic sentence.

[ non- ] [ anti- ] [ de- ] [ mal- ] [ sub- ] [ a- ] [ under- ]

1 During World War II, brave Filipino guerrillas gathered in secret (ground) tunnels to protect civilians.

2 Apolinario Mabini used (violent) diplomacy and his writings to champion Philippine independence.

3 The soldiers had to (activate) the explosive devices left behind in the rice field.

4 Severe drought and crop shortages led to (nutrition) among evacuated families in the hills.

5 Patriots built (colonial) coalitions that were fiercely opposed to foreign domination.

6 The secret message was hidden in the (soil) beneath the roots of the ancient narra tree.

7 The courageous boat crew guided the supply vessel safely (shore) under cover of darkness.

8 The enemy's transmission failed due to equipment (practice / function) in the mountains.

Worksheet 2: Word Nuance & Sentence Clarity

Denotation vs. Connotation • Demonstrative Pronouns

Grade 4 • English

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Part C: Denotation & Connotation Analysis (8 Points) Positive (+), Negative (-), or Neutral (N)

Read each word pair. Both words share similar dictionary meanings (denotation), but carry different implied feelings (connotations). In the box, write (+) for positive connotation, (-) for negative connotation, or (N) for neutral.

1 frugal (careful with rations)

2 stingy (reluctant to give)

3 proud (noble love for country)

4 arrogant (boastful of power)

5 courageous (facing peril boldly)

6 reckless (careless of danger)

7 residence (a building structure)

8 homeland (beloved native country)

Part D: Demonstratives & Subject-Verb Agreement (8 Points) Select the Correct Words

Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun and agreeing verb form inside the parentheses ( ) for each sentence.

1 ( This / These ) ( is / are ) the historical monument honoring the defenders of Bataan.

2 Look across the distant valley; ( that / those ) ( looks / look ) like the ancient watchtower.

3 ( These / This ) woven baskets right here ( was / were ) crafted by indigenous weavers.

4 ( Those / That ) medals pinned on Lolo's uniform ( represents / represent ) valor during wartime.

5 ( This / These ) national anthem ( stirs / stir ) deep pride in the hearts of all Filipinos.

6 High on the flagpole, ( that / those ) ( waves / wave ) majestically in the morning breeze.

7 ( These / This ) ( shows / show ) how communities practiced Bayanihan during harvest.

8 ( Those / That ) distant mountain ridges ( serves / serve ) as a natural sanctuary for native wildlife.

💡

Tutor Tip: Remember: This and That point to one thing (singular $\rightarrow$ verb takes -s/-es, like is, waves, stirs). These and Those point to two or more things (plural $\rightarrow$ verb stays base form, like are, represent, show)!

Worksheet 3: Literary Analysis & Symbolism

Setting, Theme, Genre & National Pride Visuals

Grade 4 • English

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📖 The Secret Cave in the Sierra Madre Historical Narrative • WWII Philippines (1942)

When foreign troops advanced into Central Luzon at the outbreak of the Second World War, ten-year-old Ramon and his family had to leave their coastal home. With determination, Ramon's father guided thirty villagers into the dense forests of the Sierra Madre. They discovered a wide underground limestone cave hidden behind cascading wild ferns.
Inside the shelter, everyone shared their frugal rations of dried fish and sweet camote. At night, by the dim flicker of coconut-oil lamps, Tatay unfurled a small, hand-sewn Philippine flag. "This is our flag," Tatay whispered softly. "Even when our skies are dark, these three stars and sun remind us that freedom will return." Inspired by his father's unwavering bravery, Ramon helped gather edible wild roots and guarded the trail entrance with quiet vigilance. Their unity and love for the country kept their spirits soaring until peace was restored.

Part E: Inferring Setting, Theme, & Genre (6 Points) Multiple Choice

Read the passage above and select the correct answer for each literary question. Write your letter in the box.

1 What is the primary historical setting (time and place) of the narrative?
A. A modern school in Quezon City during peace B. A Sierra Madre forest cave in 1942 during WWII

2 What is the central theme or moral message of the story?
A. Courage, family unity, and devotion to one's homeland overcome hardship B. Wealth brings happiness

3 What is the literary genre of this selection?
A. Science Fiction Fantasy B. Historical Fiction / Patriotic Narrative

4 What does the author imply by describing the family's meals as "frugal rations"?
A. Simple and carefully conserved food during wartime B. Expensive royal feast

Part F: Visual Symbolism of Filipino Pride (4 Points) Match Symbol to Meaning

Visual elements and symbols are intentionally designed to convey deep cultural meaning. Match each national symbol to what it explicitly represents in Filipino identity:

☀️

The Eight-Rayed Sun

Symbolizes the first eight provinces that fought for Philippine freedom.

⭐

The Three Stars

Represents the three major island groups: Luzon, Panay (Visayas), & Mindanao.

🟦

The Blue Field

Evokes peace, truth, noble ideals, and universal justice.

🟥

The Red Field

Stands for patriotic valor, bravery, and readiness to protect the homeland.

★ Reflective Question: Why is "My Country, My Pride!" an appropriate title for Lesson 4? Write one complete sentence using the demonstrative pronoun "This":

Answer Key & Diagnostic Guide

Lesson 4: My Country, My Pride! • Complete Scoring Matrix

Grade 4 • English

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Total Score: / 34 Points

Part A: Prefix Matching (8 pts) Page 2

1. B (underground - beneath surface)
2. A (antiwar - against warfare)
3. C (malfunction - failing to operate)
4. E (submarine - below sea water)
5. F (nonstop - without pausing)
6. D (defrost - remove frost/ice)
7. H (atypical - irregular, not typical)
8. G (malnourished - poor nutrition)

Part B: Prefix Building (8 pts) Page 2

1. underground | 2. nonviolent
3. deactivate | 4. malnutrition
5. anticolonial | 6. subsoil
7. ashore | 8. malfunction

Part C: Connotations (8 pts) Page 3

1. (+) frugal (positive resourcefulness)
2. (-) stingy (negative unwillingness to share)
3. (+) proud | 4. (-) arrogant
5. (+) courageous | 6. (-) reckless
7. (N) residence | 8. (+) homeland

Part D: Demonstratives (8 pts) Page 3

1. This is (singular monument)
2. that looks (singular watchtower)
3. These were (plural baskets)
4. Those represent (plural medals)
5. This stirs (singular anthem)
6. that waves (singular flag)
7. These show (plural traditions)
8. Those serve (plural mountain ridges)

Part E: Literary Inference (4 pts) Page 4

1. B (Sierra Madre cave in 1942 during WWII)
2. A (Courage, family unity, & love of country)
3. B (Historical Fiction / Patriotic Narrative)
4. A (Simple and carefully conserved food)

📊 Diagnostic Evaluation Matrix for Parents & Tutors

Score Range	Mastery Level	Actionable Guidance
29 – 34 Points	Advanced Master	Child demonstrates rich vocabulary, sharp prefix analysis, and clear sentence coherence.
23 – 28 Points	Proficient	Good understanding of prefixes. Review nuances between positive and negative connotations.
Below 23 Points	Needs Guided Tutoring	Struggles with demonstrative agreement and literary inference. PERSONALIZED tutoring recommended.