Kentucky Reading and Writing C.1.2.b

ELA1st GradeComposition

The Standard

C.1.2: Compose informative and/or explanatory texts, using a combination of drawing, dictating, writing and digital resources, to establish a topic and provide information about the topic.

Introduce the topic.

Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing (2025) · Text Types and Purpose

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students write an opening sentence that tells the reader what their piece is about. They name the topic before adding details.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student writing about a pet starts with a sentence such as, "My cat Luna likes to hide." A reader can tell the topic without asking what "it" means.
Common Misconceptions: Some students begin with "It is fun" and never name what "it" is. Others give a detail first, such as "It has four legs," and expect the reader to guess the topic.
How to Assess It: Give students the topic "a favorite place to play." Ask them to write one opening sentence, then check whether it names the place.

Lesson moves

Give each student a photo card and a sentence strip, then have them write an opening sentence that names what is pictured.
Show "It is fun" and "My dog is fun to play with," then ask which opener tells readers the topic and why.
Have students draw topic cards, write opening sentences, and see if partners can name each topic without seeing the card.
Ask students to write the first sentence of a class newsletter note about a playground cleanup so families know what the note covers.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to C.1.2.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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