Unit Plan 4 (Grade PreK ELA): Concepts of Print & Book Handling

Focus: Directionality, letters vs. words, spaces; front/back/title page

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Foundational Concepts of Print • Informational Text Features • Speaking/Listening)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session (use two short blocks if needed)

I. Introduction

This week builds rock-solid book-handling habits. Children learn the parts of a book (front cover, back cover, title page), how print moves left-to-right/top-to-bottom, and how to tell a letter from a word and a space. We use oversized print, pointer routines, partner talk, and playful centers that make print concepts visible and memorable.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Identify front cover, back cover, and title page on a real book with support (RI.PK.5).
2. Demonstrate print directionality: show where to start reading, move finger left-to-right, and sweep to the next line (RF.PK.1).
3. Distinguish letters vs. words and recognize spaces between words in enlarged print (RF.PK.1).
4. Participate in partner routines (turn-taking, listening, repeating) while exploring books together (SL.PK.1).

Standards Alignment — PreK

• RF.PK.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print (book handling, directionality, one-to-one, letters/words/spaces).
• RI.PK.5 Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book.
• SL.PK.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with peers and adults.

Success Criteria — student language

• “I can find the front and back of a book and the title page.” (RI.PK.5)
• “I can show where reading starts and goes on the page.” (RF.PK.1)
• “I can point to a word, a letter, and a space.” (RF.PK.1)
• “I can take turns and listen to my partner.” (SL.PK.1)