Unit Plan 19 (PreK Social Studies): My Day—First, Next, Last
Teach preschoolers sequencing with first, next, last through daily routines and stories to build early understanding of order and simple retelling.
Focus: Help children tell events in order using the words first, next, last with familiar daily routines and simple stories; build early understanding of sequence in their own lives.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Social Studies (History • Inquiry)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, children think about what happens during their day at school and at home. They learn to use the words “first,” “next,” and “last” to tell about routines and simple events. Through pictures, movement, and story play, they practice putting daily activities and story events in order.
Children observe what happens around them (arrival, morning meeting, centers, snack, recess, home time) and then talk about and draw those events in sequence. By the end of the week, each child helps create a “My Day” sequence strip that shows three key parts of their day in order.
Essential Questions
- What happens first, next, and last in my day?
- How can we remember and retell what we did in order?
- How do we use pictures and words to show what happens in sequence?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use the words first, next, last when talking about their own daily routines.
- Place 3 picture cards of familiar activities (e.g., arrive, play, go home) in a simple sequence.
- Observe what happens in the classroom and describe one event they notice.
- Help create a “My Day” strip that shows three events in order with support.
Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)
- PK.C3.Hist.1 — Tell about personal events in order. Uses words like first, next, and last to talk about experiences.
- Example: “First we had snack, then we played outside.”
- PK.C3.Inq.2 — Explore information through observation and play. Looks closely at people, objects, and places to find out more.
- Example: Watching how mail is delivered to school.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can say what happened first, next, and last in my day.
- I can help put pictures of my day in the right order.
- I can tell something I noticed we did in class today.
- I can make a “My Day” strip with three events.