Grade 1 ELA Unit 1

Rules and Routines Small Moments in Writing (Narrative)

In this introductory unit, students will review key concepts from Kindergarten, while working to develop a strong virtual classroom community. Students will use their review of reading and phonics skills to develop a “small moment” narrative that describes a real or imagined experience.

This unit should be paired with the Reading Foundations unit which focuses on print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition and building fluency. It is essential that these skills are not taught in isolation, but applied within students reading and writing.

Download the complete Grade 1 ELA Unit 1 framework to customize for your own planning.

Essential Outcomes

Reading

1R1 Develop and answer questions about key ideas and details in a text.
1R3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, or pieces of information in a text.

Reading Foundations – Print Concepts

1RF1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
Addressed in RF unit:
- 1RF2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).
- 1RF3 Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Language

1L1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
1L2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Writing

1W3 Write narratives which recount real or imagined experiences or events or a short sequence of events.

Speaking and Listening

1SL1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse peers and adults (e.g., in small and large groups and during play).
1SL6 Express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly, using complete sentences when appropriate to task, situation, and audience.

All Standards Addressed in this Unit

See Reading Foundations Units: 1RF2 a-c, 1RF3a-g
1R1, 1R3, 1R4, 1R6, 1R9
1RF1
1L1, 1L2
1W3
1SL1, 1SL5, 1SL6

Essential Questions and Big Ideas

What makes a classroom a place to learn?
- Rules and routines help to make classrooms places to learn.
What makes a word?
- Combinations of letter sounds work together to create words that represent meaning.
How do writers create and write stories?
- Writers use words that capture their ideas to create written stories.