CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7
The Standard
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literature
What This Standard Means
Students need to look closely at pictures and listen to story details, then use both to tell about who is in the story, where it happens, and what happens. They should point to parts of the illustration and connect them to words or events in the text.
Mastery looks like a child saying, “The snow and coats show it is winter,” or “Her face shows she feels scared.” Students often get stuck by naming what they see without explaining what it tells them, or by guessing from the picture without checking the story details.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on activity: Give pairs picture-book pages on sticky notes, and have them label one clue about character, setting, and event.
- Prompt: Ask, “What does the picture tell us that the words also help us know?” after reading each page.
- Quick assessment: Show one illustrated page and ask students to point to evidence for who, where, and what happened.
- Real-world connection: Use a photo from the playground and ask students what it shows about people, place, and action.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.7
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.7
Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.4.3
Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.