Kindergarten ELA Assignment

Kindergarten students listen to their teacher read a grade-appropriate book out loud, then answer a question by writing and drawing about a key idea from the text. This assignment is strong because students engage with a worthwhile text and share what they learned from it through writing. 

Students engage with a worthwhile text read to them by a fluent reader. The text contains useful information about trees (e.g., different types of trees, what can be made from trees, how animals depend on trees), complex vocabulary (e.g., words like “pulp” and “chemicals”), and vibrant illustrations.

The question requires students to recall a key idea from the text. Students must listen carefully to answer a question about one way living things depend on trees.

Students answer the question using grade-appropriate mediums. Students share what they learned by writing and drawing. The kindergarten writing standards (W.K.1 – W.K.3) focus on a combination of drawing, speaking and writing to share ideas and information.

The question is based on knowledge from the text but has more than one right answer. This lets students share what they learned from the text and express their unique perspective.

The question lets students practice their language skills through authentic writing. However, because of the lack of specific directions, this opportunity appears to be incidental since task directions do not include expectations for use of conventions.