Unit Plan 19 (Grade K ELA): Central Message or Lesson
Kindergarten literature unit: students retell stories using beginning–middle–end structure, identify the central lesson, and cite picture or word evidence to explain how key details support the author’s message.
Focus: Retell and identify lesson with evidence from pictures/words
Grade Level: Kindergarten
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Literature • Speaking/Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week, children learn to retell a familiar story and figure out the central message/lesson (what the author wants us to learn). They’ll use both pictures and words to choose key details and will point to evidence when explaining their ideas. Daily routines strengthen listening, turn-and-talk, and whole-group reading stamina.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Retell a familiar story (beginning–middle–end) with key details (RL.K.2).
- Identify the lesson/central message and name evidence from pictures/words (RL.K.2; RL.K.1).
- Ask and answer questions about key details while pointing to the page (RL.K.1).
- Engage in group reading with purpose and understanding (RL.K.10).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Kindergarten
- RL.K.2 With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details, and identify the central message or lesson.
- RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
- RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can retell the story with three important parts.
- I can say the lesson (“The story teaches ___”) and tell why.
- I can point to a picture/word that is my evidence.
- I can listen, look, and share during group reading.