Unit Plan 30 (Grade 1 ELA): Reading Science/Social Studies with Visuals

Focus: Diagrams, maps, charts; domain vocabulary in context

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational • Speaking/Listening • Vocabulary)

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

I. Introduction

Informational texts in science and social studies often include diagrams, maps, and charts that help readers learn key ideas quickly. This week, students practice using visuals to understand a text’s big idea, reading labels/captions/legends, and figuring out domain vocabulary from context and text features. They will also ask and answer questions about information presented orally and through media.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Use illustrations/visuals (diagrams, maps, charts) and details in a text to describe key ideas (RI.1.7).
2. Ask and answer questions to determine or clarify the meaning of domain words in context (RI.1.4).
3. Ask and answer questions about key details presented in a read-aloud or short media/slideshow (SL.1.2).
4. Record learning on simple organizers that connect visual clues → key ideas and word clues → meanings.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1

• RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
• RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
• SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details presented orally or through other media.

Success Criteria — student language

• I can point to a diagram/map/chart and tell the key idea it teaches.
• I can use labels/captions and the sentence to figure out a domain word.
• I can ask/answer a question about a key detail I heard or saw.
• I can show my learning on a visual organizer (picture clue → idea).