Unit Plan 11 (Grade K ELA): Reasons that Support Points

Focus: Use pictures/text to find a reason; ask/answer to clarify

Grade Level: Kindergarten

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

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

I. Introduction

This week strengthens the bridge from opinion to reason by teaching students to look back at pictures and short texts to find a supporting detail. Children practice asking and answering questions to clarify ideas (“What makes you think that?”), then state an opinion with a because reason that matches something they can point to in the picture/text.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Ask and answer questions about a picture/text to identify a relevant detail (RI.K.1).
2. Name an opinion and provide a because reason that connects to the picture/text (W.K.1).
3. Ask for clarification and answer to add information when a reason is unclear (SL.K.3).
4. Use simple complete sentences when giving reasons (L.K.1, embedded).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Kindergarten

• RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
• W.K.1 Use drawing/dictating/writing to compose opinion pieces; state a preference and a reason.
• SL.K.3 Ask/answer questions to seek help, get information, or clarify something not understood.

Success Criteria — student language

• I can ask: “What makes you think that?” or “Where do you see it?”
• I can answer by pointing to a picture/text detail.
• I can say: “I like ___ because ___,” and the because matches the picture/text.
• I can fix my sentence if a partner asks me to clarify.