Curricular Plan for Making Meaning
Kindergarten
Unit 7: Wondering (Expository Nonfiction)
3 Weeks
Students should understand and be able to:
Comprehension Focus
  • Students explore text features of expository nonfiction.
  • Students identify what they learn from a nonfiction book.
  • Students use wondering to help them understand a nonfiction book.
Social Development Focus
  • Students relate the value of caring to their behavior.
  • Students develop the group skill of contributing ideas that are different from other people’s ideas during a whole-class discussion.
  • Students take responsibility for their learning and behavior.

Mentor Texts
  • Knowing about Noses
  • I Want to Be a Vet
  • Tiger Cub Grows Up

Possible Teaching Points
Making Meaning
Week 1
Day 1: Read-Aloud - Knowing About Noses
  • Get ready to work together
  • Read the first part of the storyaloud
  • Discuss as a whole class
  • Reflect on sharing different ideas during whole-class discussions
/ Day 2: Read Aloud/Strategy Lesson
  • Get ready to work together
  • Read the second part of the story
  • Discuss as a whole-class
  • Reflect on sharing different ideas during whole-class discussions
  • Extension: Draw pictures of animals that have interesting noses

Common Core State Standards
RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.1b Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.1b Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
W.K.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.
Making Meaning Vocabulary
Week 21
Vocabulary Words: active, haul, switch, swiftly
Day 1
  • What Do You Think About? – Ongoing Review
  • Introduce and define new words
  • Discuss the words
  • Make connections to the words
/ Day 2
  • Review the words
  • Act out the words
/ Day 3
  • Vocabulary activities
  • Discuss “Would You” Questions

Common Core State Standards
L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings.
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
Making Meaning
Week 2
Day 1: Read-Aloud - I Want to Be a Vet
  • Review wondering
  • Read the first part of the story
  • Discuss as a whole class
  • Reflect on working with a partner
/ Day 2: Read Aloud/Strategy Practice
  • Get ready to work together
  • Read the second part of I Want to Be a Vet aloud
  • Discuss as a whole class
  • Reflect on sharing different ideas during whole-class discussions
  • Extension: Students draw pictures of what they would like to be when they grow up

Common Core State Standards
RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts).
RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.1b Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.1b Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
W.K.3 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened.
Making Meaning Vocabulary
Week 22
Vocabulary Words: prey, object, unusual, fact
Day 1
  • Act Out the Words – Ongoing Review
  • Introduce and define new words
/ Day 2
  • Discuss words
  • Spy Objects in the Classroom
  • Make connections to the words
/ Day 3
  • Think about the words
Assessment: acting out words, understanding of word meaning, enjoyment of learning new words
Common Core State Standards
L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.5d Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings.
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
Making Meaning
Week 3
Day 1: Read-Aloud/Strategy Lesson - A Tiger Cub Grows Up
  • Get ready to work together
  • Read and discuss the first half of the story
  • Discuss as a whole class
  • Reflect on taking responsibility
  • Extension: Compare fiction and nonfiction
Assessment:wondering, contributing different ideas during group discussions / Day 2: Strategy Lesson
  • Review the first part of the story
  • Read and discuss the second half of A Tiger Cub Grows Up
  • Discuss the book as a class
  • Reflect on working together
  • Extension: Share more about tigers and wild animal parks

Common Core State Standards
RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.K.9 With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).
RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.1b Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.
RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.1b Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges.
SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
Making Meaning Vocabulary
Week 23
Vocabulary Words: assist, injure, recover, clever
Day 1
  • Imagine That! – Ongoing Review
  • Introduce and define new words
  • Discuss and make connections to the word
/ Day 2
  • Review the words
/ Day 3
  • Vocabulary activities
  • Think about the words

Common Core State Standards
L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. / L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.K.5c Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful).
L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts.
SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
SL.K.1a Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly.
Helpful Tips
  • Decide how to randomly assign partners to work together during the unit.
  • Have students use the prompt “I learned…” to identify what they learned from the story.
  • Prepare a chart with the title “Wondering About A Tiger Cub Grows Up.”
  • Make copies of Unit 7 Parent Letter (BLM7) to send home with the students on the last day of the unit.