English Language Arts — Kindergarten

Sentence scramble

Students will learn concepts about print including print directionality and the understanding that written print contains a message.

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

Picture, letter, word

A lesson designed to engage pre-emergent readers in an activity which will enable them to identify pictures, letters, and words in books. It will provide an opportunity for them to work in a small group setting to develop a product and enhance their learning

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

By Linda Kinnamon.

My favorite women: My Great Aunt Arizona

These three (or four) 45-minute lessons will introduce kindergarteners and first graders to Women's History Month. The students listen to the story of author Gloria Houston's great-aunt, Arizona Houston Hughes. During and following the listening and viewing experiences, the students will discuss their experiences with women in their own history who are helping them become good citizens and grow up well.

Format: lesson plan (grade 1 English Language Arts and Information Skills)

By Floanna Long.

Monstrous masks

Teacher will read the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Children will create monster masks to associate the letter m and the phonemic sound of m to the masks.

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

Look and listen: Exploring the five senses

This group of shared reading lessons is based on the book Look by Jillian Cutting. They are designed to be used as a part of an integrated classroom unit on the five senses.

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

Learning language strategies through repeated readings of storybooks

This lesson will guide and teach students how to process and produce language at higher levels through meaningful, redundant, contextually appropriate, and intrinsically rewarding center-based activities related to a storybook theme.

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts and Information Skills)

By Elizabeth Winborne.

Itsy, bitsy spider

The learner will use the words of the fingerplay "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider" to create a book.

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

By JanetD White.

Resources on the web

Word wizards: Students making words

This ReadWriteThink lesson uses an active, hands-on activity in which students learn how to look for patterns in words and how to make new words by adding or changing the sequence of letters. Authentic literature provides an excellent framework for teaching... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Word sorts for beginning and struggling readers

In this lesson that introduces short vowel word families, the teacher begins the lesson by reading The Magic Hat and modeling strategies for making predictions using illustrations and rhyming words. The teacher then explains... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

What's in a Name? Teaching Concepts of Letter and Word

The purpose of this lesson from ReadWriteThink is to help kindergarten children understand the concepts of letter and word by using their names as a starting point. Ideas will also be given to help assess student progress in becoming readers and writers.... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Using songwriting to build awareness of beginning letter sounds

In this lesson, from ReadWriteThink, students begin by singing a song to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Kindergartners identify and learn letter names and beginning consonant sounds. First graders extend the activity by creating new verses... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Using repetition and picture cues to foster independent young readers

This lesson from ReadWriteThink invites kindergartners to share their knowledge of letters and sounds in a large group setting and gives teachers an opportunity to assess student's knowledge in this area. Each student contributes a page to make a classroom... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Student of the day: Create sound/letter understanding with names

This lesson from ReadWritethink uses students' names and other concrete words to teach the conventions and terminology of print. Kindergarten and first-grade students explore each other's names, making comparisons between initial sounds, ending sounds,... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Stop signs, McDonald's, and Cheerios: Writing with environmental print

Students read words found on everyday objects and use them to identify individual letters in this lesson that teaches alphabet recognition and initial reading skills. First, the teacher uses packaging and logos from common products to encourage students... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Shhh! Bear's sleeping: learning about nonfiction and fiction using read-alouds

The teacher introduces students to many different genres of literature in this lesson that explores the differences between fiction and nonfiction. After reading “Big Paws,” the teacher engages students in a discussion about bears and creates... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Shared poetry reading: Teaching print concepts, rhyme, and vocabulary

Students study vocabulary, one-to-one matching, left-to-right directionality, and awareness of rhyme in reading using a shared exploration of a poem that includes peer interaction, hands-on experience with print, and a collaborative examination of new and... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Poetry portfolios: Using poetry to teach reading and writing

Students learn to read and write when they have an active interest in what they are reading and writing about. This ReadWriteThink lesson supports students' exploration of language and writing skills as they read and dissect poetry. Through a weekly poem,... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Playing Name Bingo with "Chrysanthemum"

In this lesson, from ReadWriteThink, students will listen to Chrysanthemum and discuss the importance of a name. This get-to-know-you activity gives every student a chance to be in the spotlight as they participate in the Name Bingo Game. In... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Phonics Through Literature: Learning About the Letter "M"

Phonics is an important part of literacy instruction that can be taught within the context of reading children's literature. This ReadWriteThink lesson incorporates the use of children's literature, in addition to various learning centers and activities... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Phonics in context

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, teachers choose literature that contains the necessary phonics elements for instruction, then plan before, during, and after activities for read-aloud or shared reading experiences. Careful and ongoing assessment of students'... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink