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A game to share, a class to inspire

A message has a purpose

EnglishKindergartenLiteracyFree

Explore messages that share a preference, give information, or tell what happened.

What it is about

Distinguish a simple opinion, information statement and event account.

Kindergarten · 5–6 years · 30 challenges

Before you begin

  • Everyday oral language, listening and experience with books.

What the class will do

  1. Choose and explain · 30 challenges

    A message has a purpose

    Distinguish a simple opinion, information statement and event account.

Using it in class

Read every message and choice aloud. Model think-alouds about the writer’s purpose. An event account may also contain facts; ask what the short message mainly does. After short rounds, children draw, dictate or write a message. Choices alone do not demonstrate writing.

Give everyone time to think and discuss before one pupil acts at the board. The class explains and confirms together; hints and explanations stay until you move on.

Use an up-to-date browser on a computer connected to a whiteboard or shared display. Touch, mouse and keyboard; optional audio and reduced motion. No pupil accounts or personal devices.

Choose from 5 challenges up to the full activity. Discussion determines the duration: you set the pace.

A look inside the activities

Choose and explain

Teacher: read all text aloud. “I like the red puppet best.” What is the writer sharing?

  • Where the puppet is
  • What happened first
  • A favorite choice
Explanation and discussion

Like and best tell us a preference. The message does not tell where the puppet is or describe a sequence.

Dictate another pretend puppet preference to the teacher.

Choose and explain

Teacher: read all text aloud. “I like this book.” A partner asks, “Which book?” Which addition makes the opinion clearer?

  • There are books on the shelf
  • Yesterday we put books away
  • The book about the red bus
Explanation and discussion

Naming the book helps readers know what the writer likes. The other additions do not identify that book.

Dictate a whole opinion using the new detail.

Choose and explain

Teacher: read all text aloud. A writer wants to tell about yesterday’s game. What should help them begin?

  • Pick the best game for everyone
  • Count the letters in game
  • Remember what happened first
Explanation and discussion

Remembering the first event helps the writer recount the game. A preference or letter count serves a different purpose.

Plan a pretend game account with a drawing and a dictated sentence.

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