English Language Arts — Grade 1

What's happening now?

This comprehension and writing lesson helps the student develop skills in predicting what will happen next and sequencing. It also develops the ability to answer what, where, when, and how questions. It can also include a writing activity that teaches writing in a newspaper format by answering the "W" questions and creating a class newspaper book.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts)

By Nancy McGowan.

Supermarket sweep: Day 1

Students will talk about choices that families make when purchasing groceries. Students will make a booklet of frequently purchased grocery items.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Social Studies)

By Angela Hunt and Melody Holmes.

Seasons change

This lesson introduces students to the characteristics of the changing seasons and allows students to see how plants, animals, and people adapt to the changes.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts)

By Beth Herron.

Oh, the places I will go!

Students will listen to the story by Dr. Seuss Oh, the Places You'll Go! The students will brainstorm a list of places they would like to go. Places such as nouns and proper nouns will be separated during the listing process. The students will write a response to: "Oh, the places I will go! I will go____________." and illustrate their responses. Each student response will be collected for a class book entitled "Oh, the Places We Will Go!"

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts)

Multicultural cross-grade level unit plan

This unit of study integrates reading, writing, math, and social studies. It is designed to help first and third grade students relate to other cultures of the world. They will understand and compare the similarities and differences of children, families, and communities in different times and places. They will analyze religious and other cultural traditions. They will apply basic geographic concepts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1–3 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Social Studies)

By Shirley Young.

Marc Brown author study: Arthur's Nose

Using the book Arthur's Nose by Marc Brown students will respond to the story through art, music, and in written form.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)

By Kathy Palmore.

Is it living?

Students will identify living and nonliving things.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts and Science)

By Genita Powell.

Healthy foods = super kids

This lesson focuses on how the foods we eat affect our bodies in both beneficial and harmful ways. Students will learn that grains provide energy; vegetables are needed for healthy skin, hair and eyes; fruits help the body heal, milk builds strong bones and teeth; meat builds muscle and gives strength; and sweets, fats, and oils are high in calories and give few vitamins and minerals and do little to help our bodies grow.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Healthful Living)

By Phyllis Bass and Rubetta Carr.

A'planting we will go

This lesson is based on the book, The Tiny Seed, by Eric Carle. This story will be used to introduce the students to the concept that seeds change and grow into plants when conditions in the environment including temperature, light, water and soil are appropriate. Students will learn that plants produce seeds that can become new plants. Through extended activities, the students will experience first-hand the germination of seeds. They will become familiar with the parts of a plant and learn how each part works to produce a healthy plant.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Science)

By Karol Schriber.

Walter the Baker

In this lesson, students will read and discuss Walter the Baker by Eric Carle. They will then create a personal response in words and pictures explaining what they want to be when they grow up.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Teresa Bennett.

The Farm Concert

This lesson teaches basic print awareness along with animal names and sounds through guided reading and the use of a graphic organizer.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–1 English Language Arts)

By Kelly Brandon.

Resources on the web

A trip to Wonderland: The nursery "Alice"

This lesson, found on the EDSITEment website, is part of a unit that explores elements of wonder, distortion, fantasy, and whimsy in The Nursery “Alice,” Lewis Carroll's adaptation for younger readers of his beloved classic Alice's... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Teaching shapes using read-alouds, visualization, and sketch to stretch

This ReadWriteThink lesson encourages strategic reading and real-world math connections using a variety of techniques. Students explore shape and pattern through an adapted sketch to stretch strategy and read-alouds of winter-themed books. In the final... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Mathematics)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Teaching audience through interactive writing

This ReadWriteThink lesson supports young writers in learning about audience. Through interactive writing, students work together to create an invitation letter for a group of their peers. In addition, students work independently to create invitation letters... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Packing the Pilgrim's trunk: Personalizing history in the elementary classroom

This theme exploration helps students explore who the Pilgrims were, learn about their journey aboard the Mayflower, and discover how they adapted and built new lives at Plymouth Colony. After participating in an activity that activates prior knowledge... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Martin Luther King, Jr. and me: Identifying with a hero

This lesson from ReadWriteThink explores ways to help students make connections to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities that not only provide a glimpse into Dr. King's life, but empower students to help... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Living the dream: 100 acts of kindness

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students study about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he believed in, then apply those lessons to a month-long project. This project allows students to participate in Dr. King's dream by doing 100 acts of kindness.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Let's talk about stories: Shared discussions with "Amazing Grace"

This lesson from ReadWriteThink develops students' reading comprehension and understanding through a variety of interpretive activities. Students become more aware of their personal reactions as they read, develop sensitivity to language, and come to value... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

It's okay to be different: Teaching diversity with Todd Parr

After a shared reading of Todd Parr's It's Okay to Be Different, students work in small groups to discuss and write down what makes them diverse. The teacher introduces the topic of diversity by engaging students in an activity... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

A getting-acquainted activity using "My Teacher's Secret Life"

In this ReadWriteThink activity, students listen to My Teacher's Secret Life, discuss the content, and make predictions about what the teacher and their peers do when they are away from school. The students will readily join in the discussion... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink