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Grade PreK ELA Units

Unit Plan 29 (Grade PreK ELA): Procedural / How-To Making

PreK how-to writing unit: students explore procedural texts by identifying materials, sequencing clear steps with First, Next, Then, Last, and adding labels to pictures. Through drawing, dictation, and hands-on projects, they build vocabulary, sentence structure, and early writing conventions.

Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

• 6 min read
Unit Plan 29 (Grade PreK ELA): Procedural / How-To Making

Focus: Clear steps with pictures/labels; materials lists

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Informational/How-To • Oral Language • Emergent Writing)

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

I. Introduction

This week children learn that how-to (procedural) texts teach us to make or do something. They will identify materials, sequence steps with First/Next/Then/Last, and create a how-to page using pictures, labels, and dictated words. Daily practice highlights speaking in complete sentences and using simple print conventions on labels.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

  1. Identify materials needed for a simple project and represent them with pictures/labels (W.PK.2; L.PK.2).
  2. Sequence 2–4 steps using First/Next/Then/Last language while speaking in complete sentences (W.PK.2; L.PK.1).
  3. Create a how-to page that names the task, shows materials, and includes step pictures with labels and teacher-scribed words (W.PK.2; L.PK.2).
  4. Use topic vocabulary and action verbs (cut, glue, pour, plant, fold) during shares (L.PK.1).
  5. Demonstrate print conventions at an emergent level (capital letter in name/labels where appropriate; left-to-right placement; letter forms) (L.PK.2).

Standards Alignment — PreK

  • W.PK.2 With guidance and support, use a combination of drawing, dictating, and emergent writing to name a topic and supply information about it.
  • L.PK.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when speaking (e.g., simple sentences, verbs).
  • L.PK.2 Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (emergent: name writing, some capitals, letter forms, print directionality).

Success Criteria — student language

  • “We need materials: paper, glue, stickers.”
  • “First we fold. Next we glue. Then we press. Last we decorate.”
  • “My page tells how to ___ and shows the materials and steps with labels.”