Unit Plan 22 (Grade 1 ELA): Words & Pictures Together

Focus: Using illustrations to understand story/poem meaning and feelings

Grade Level: 1

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

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

I. Introduction

Authors use words and illustrators use pictures to tell us who, where, what happened, and how it feels. This week, students learn to read illustrations closely to describe characters, settings, and events, and to notice feeling words and sensory phrases in stories and poems. They’ll create and share a small visual that helps clarify meaning during a brief presentation.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Use illustrations and details to describe characters, setting, and major events (RL.1.7).
2. Identify words and phrases in stories/poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses (RL.1.4).
3. Add and reference visuals (drawing/labels/caption) to clarify ideas when speaking (SL.1.5).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 1

• RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
• RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
• SL.1.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.

Success Criteria — student language

• I can use picture clues to tell about who, where, and what happened.
• I can find a feeling/sensory word and explain what it shows.
• I can add a drawing/labels and point to them when I share to make my idea clear.