Unit Plan 11 (Grade 1 ELA): Reasons that Support Points
Guide first graders to identify an author’s point and supporting reasons in text and speech. Students listen, question, and write short opinions using text-based evidence—building comprehension, reasoning, and early argument skills aligned with RI.1.8, SL.1.3, and W.1.1.
Focus: Using a text to find reasons; listening for reasons in speech
Grade Level: 1
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational • Writing • Speaking/Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Informational authors make a point and give reasons to support it. This week, students learn to spot a writer’s point in a short text, find matching reasons (what proves or explains the point), and listen for reasons when someone speaks. They’ll finish by writing a tiny opinion that uses a reason from the text.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Identify the point an author makes and find reasons that support it in a short text (RI.1.8).
- Ask/answer questions about what a speaker says to gather information or clarify reasons (SL.1.3).
- Write a brief opinion that names a topic/text, states an opinion, and supplies a reason taken from the text (W.1.1).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1
- RI.1.8 Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
- SL.1.3 Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional information or clarify something that is not understood.
- W.1.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book, state an opinion, supply a reason or reasons, and provide some sense of closure.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can tell the point: “The author thinks ___.”
- I can find reason(s) that match the point and say where I found them.
- I can ask/answer a question to understand a speaker’s reason better.
- I can write my opinion with one reason from the text and a short closing.