Unit Plan 2 (Grade 2 ELA): Asking & Answering Questions About Stories
Second graders become story detectives—asking who, what, where, when, why, and how to uncover meaning! Practice retelling stories with clear beginnings, middles, and ends while building comprehension and fluency.
Focus: Who/what/where/when/why/how; retelling
Grade Level: 2
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading • Speaking/Listening • Foundational Skills)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week, readers become story detectives. We’ll use who/what/where/when/why/how questions to make sense of stories and practice retelling with beginning–middle–end. Students learn to listen closely, share key details in complete sentences, and read short passages with growing accuracy and expression so comprehension sticks.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Ask and answer who/what/where/when/why/how questions to show understanding of a story (RL.2.1).
- Retell a story (including fables/folktales) with beginning, middle, end and identify the central message or lesson (RL.2.2).
- Recount key ideas/details from a text read aloud or information presented in media using clear, complete sentences (SL.2.2).
- Read familiar passages with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression to support comprehension (RF.2.4).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 2
- RL.2.1, RL.2.2, SL.2.2, RF.2.4
Success Criteria — student language
- I can ask and answer who/what/where/when/why/how questions about my story.
- I can retell with beginning–middle–end and name the lesson/message.
- I can give a clear recount of key ideas in complete sentences.
- I can read a short passage smoothly with my voice showing meaning.