Unit Plan 22 (Grade PreK ELA): Words & Pictures Together (Stories/Poems)

Focus: How illustrations add meaning/feeling; sound words

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Literature • Visual Literacy • Oral Language)

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

I. Introduction

This week children explore how illustrations help us understand a story or poem’s meaning and feelings, and how sound words (onomatopoeia) make language lively. Through picture walks, mood talks, and sound-effect play, students practice using picture clues and sound words to describe what’s happening and how it feels—then add their own drawings to support their ideas.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Use illustrations and details to talk about who/where/what happened in a story/poem (RL.PK.7).
2. Identify and use sound words to show actions/feelings (e.g., buzz, splash, bang) (RL.PK.4).
3. Add drawings/visuals to their oral descriptions or short shares (SL.PK.5).
4. Use picture/context clues to check word meaning (supporting RL.PK.4).
5. Speak in short, complete phrases to share what they see/hear/feel.

Standards Alignment — PreK

• RL.PK.7 With prompting and support, use illustrations and details to describe characters, setting, and events.
• RL.PK.4 With prompting and support, ask/answer questions about words and phrases in a story or poem (including sound words and feeling words).
• SL.PK.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.

Success Criteria — student language

• “I can show and tell what’s happening using the picture.” (RL.PK.7)
• “I can say a sound word (buzz/splash/bang) that matches the picture.” (RL.PK.4)
• “I can add a drawing to help my friends understand my idea.” (SL.PK.5)