Unit Plan 7 (Grade PreK ELA): Informative Beginnings – Labels that Teach
PreK informational writing unit: students become “kid scientists,” creating topic pictures with labels and parts-of diagrams to teach others. They name topics, identify parts, add first-sound labels, and explain their diagrams using clear, complete sentences.
Focus: Topic pictures with labels; “parts of” diagrams
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Early Informational Writing • Using Pictures/Diagrams • Vocabulary/Language)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session (use two short blocks if needed)
I. Introduction
This week children step into the role of kid scientists and nonfiction illustrators. They learn that pictures can teach when we add labels and parts-of diagrams. Through high-visual mentor texts and hands-on labeling, students practice naming a topic, pointing to the part in the picture, and saying a teaching word out loud while adults scribe when needed.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Name a topic and share one or more facts about it using pictures and simple labels (W.PK.2).
- Use illustrations/diagrams to describe parts of an object or animal (RI.PK.7).
- Produce recognizable print for labels (letters or beginning sounds) and use speaking/listening routines to explain the diagram (L.PK.1).
Standards Alignment — PreK
- W.PK.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts naming a topic and supplying information.
- RI.PK.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea the illustration depicts).
- L.PK.1 Demonstrate command of language/grammar in speech and emerging print (use nouns for parts; attempt letter forms; speak in simple complete statements).
Success Criteria — student language
- “I can tell the topic of my picture.” (W.PK.2)
- “I can point to a part and label it.” (RI.PK.7)
- “I can use letters or first sounds to make a label.” (L.PK.1)
- “I can explain my diagram using a sentence frame.” (W.PK.2/L.PK.1)