Unit Plan 25 (Grade 1 ELA): Reading Biographies & Timelines

Focus: Chronology; key events; photos/captions

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

First graders explore short biographies to learn how real people’s lives unfold over time. Students will identify the main topic, pick key events, place them in chronological order on a simple timeline, and use photos/captions to deepen understanding. They will also describe connections between events (e.g., what happened first and what happened next).

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Identify the main topic of a short biography and retell key details (RI.1.2).
2. Describe connections between events in a person’s life (e.g., first/next/then) (RI.1.3).
3. Use photos and captions to describe key ideas and confirm event order (RI.1.7).
4. Create a 4-step timeline of key events with brief labels.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1

• RI.1.2 Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
• RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text.
• RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.

Success Criteria — student language

• I can tell the main topic (who the biography is about) and two key details.
• I can say the order of events: first, next, then, last.
• I can point to a photo/caption and explain what it teaches.
• I can make a timeline with 4 labeled steps that match the book.