Where Detectives Lesson Plan Kindergarten ELA • Listening & Speaking
Where Detectives Lesson Plan
Total: 40 Minutes
Focus: Answering "Where?" Questions
Learning Objective
Kindergarteners will answer "Where?" questions during an online YouTube read-aloud by naming or pointing to a place/location , using the gesture cue and sentence frame: "They are [in / on / under / at] the ________."
Key Rule
"WHERE" always asks for a PLACE ! Not a person, not a thing, but a spot you can go to.
Timed Instructional Plan (0 to 20 Minutes)
Part 1: Launch & Video Read-Aloud
00-05 Min
1. Detective Hook & Hand Signal (5 Mins)
Kinesthetic Anchor
Teacher Action: Introduce "Detective Goggles" (curl fingers around eyes like binoculars). Teach the call chant: "Where, oh where? Look and see! WHERE tells the PLACE for you and me!"
Quick Check: Ask: "Where are you sitting right now?" Students answer: "On the rug!" or "In our classroom!" Confirm: "Yes! A rug and a classroom are PLACES!"
05-15 Min
2. Timed Interactive YouTube Read-Aloud (10 Mins)
Slide 3 Video
Play the embedded YouTube read-aloud on Slide 3 (youtube.com/watch?v=-XQvAdK8hp8). Pause at three key scenes using the structured prompts below:
Pause 1 (Start): Pause on the opening setting. ➔ Prompt: "Detective goggles on! Look at the picture clues. Where does our story begin?"
Pause 2 (Mid): Pause when the character moves to a new spot. ➔ Prompt: "Freeze! Where is the character right now? Point to the place!"
Pause 3 (End): Pause near the ending scene. ➔ Prompt: "Look closely at the background! Where are they at the end of the story?"
15-20 Min
3. Guided Choral Practice & Stem Rehearsal (5 Mins)
Oral Rehearsal
Use Slides 4 & 5 to model full-sentence frames with hand motions: "They are IN the [place]." • "It is UNDER the [place]."
*If a student answers with an object or character, gently cue: "That's a thing/person! Where is a PLACE! What spot are they at?"
Where Detectives Read-Aloud Unit • Grade K Page 1 of 2 • Instructional Plan & Script
Kindergarten ELA • Page 2
Practice, Differentiation & Assessment
Mins 20 to 40
20-32 Min
4. Detective Partner Clue Hunt (Worksheet Practice - 12 Mins)
Table Work
Students transition to tables with their "Where Clues Practice Worksheet" :
Step 1 (Guided): Teacher reads Prompts 1–3. Students circle the picture that shows a PLACE (filtering out people and objects).
Step 2 (Preposition Match): Students identify on, in, under with the bee pictures on Page 2.
Step 3 (Draw & Tell): Students draw their favorite place from today's YouTube read-aloud video and share with a partner!
32-40 Min
5. Wrap-Up & Secret Exit Check (8 Mins)
Formative Exit
Gather back on the rug. Teacher displays Slide 6 (Exit Challenge) :
"Look at the three pictures: A) Red Backpack, B) Little Girl, C) The Green Park. Whisper in your hand: Which one answers WHERE?" On count of 3, students point to C and say "A place!"
Scaffolding & Multilingual Support
Video Pause Visuals: Pause the YouTube video on clear wide shots so emerging bilingual students can point directly to the setting on screen.
Preposition Chants: Pair physical gestures for in, on, under, at (pat lap for "on", hands inside shirt for "in", hands below knees for "under").
Sentence Strips: Provide pre-cut cards: [They] [are] [at] [the park] .
Higher-Order Extension Prompts
Two-Part "Where" Questions: "Where did the character start, and where did they go next in the video?" (Sequence + Location).
Map Connections: "Where would you look if you were lost in our school hallway? Point to our classroom door."
Vocabulary Expansion: Encourage descriptive place words based on the video scenes (e.g., "in the cozy room", "at the sunny park" ).
1-Minute Observational Rubric (Quick Tally)
Needs Prompting (1) Names person or thing instead of a place (e.g., "The hat!").
Approaching (2) Points to place or gives single isolated noun (e.g., "Park!").
Mastery (3) Uses preposition phrase or stem (e.g., "In the park!").
Where Detectives Read-Aloud Unit • Grade K Page 2 of 2 • Station Flow & Assessment
Where Quest Slide Deck Kindergarten Read-Aloud
Video Story Time
🔍 📖 🎬 Detective Eyes Ready!
Where Detectives!
Watch, Listen, and Spot the PLACES in Our Read-Aloud!
Question Word of the Day: WHERE Put on your detective goggles! 👓
Detective Anchor Rule
Golden Rule
When you hear the word WHERE...
"WHERE" ASKS FOR A PLACE!
A spot you can point to or visit!
🏞️
The Park
A Place!
🌳
The Forest
A Place!
🏠
The House
A Place!
🏫
The School
A Place!
❌ Not a person! | ❌ Not a toy! | ✅ ALWAYS A PLACE!
Read-Aloud Story Time
Pause & Spot Places!
Embedded media
🔍 Teacher Pause Cue: "Freeze! Put on your detective goggles — WHERE is the character right now?"
Use the picture clues on screen! Answer with a PLACE!
Story Clue Check-In
Turn & Talk
1. Beginning
WHERE did the story start?
"It started at/in the ________."
2. Middle
WHERE did the character go next?
"Next, they went to the ________."
3. Ending
WHERE were they at the end?
"At the end, they were ________."
Point to the picture clue in the story and say a full sentence! 🗣️
Detective Echo Chant
Choral Talk
Repeat after teacher with big gestures!
They are
[ in / on / under / at ]
the [ PLACE ] !
📦
"IN the box!"
(Hands hug inside!)
🪑
"ON the chair!"
(Pat your lap!)
☂️
"UNDER the roof!"
(Hands make a tent!)
Prepositions tell us WHERE things are! 📍
Detective Quick Check!
Exit Challenge
"Point your finger to the picture that answers: WHERE?"
🎒
A. Red Backpack
Is this a PLACE? (No, a thing!)
👧
B. Little Girl
Is this a PLACE? (No, a person!)
🌳
C. The Green Park
Is this a PLACE? (YES! A place!)
Count of 3: Point to A, B, or C! Ready for our Detective Worksheet! 📝
Where Clues Practice Worksheet Kindergarten Detective Mission
Where Clues Practice
Name:
Date:
🔍 Detective Reminder: "WHERE" asks for a PLACE!
Spot you can go to!
Directions: Listen to each question. Circle the picture that shows a PLACE !
1. Where can you go to read and learn with your class? Circle 1 Place
🏫
School
✏️
Pencil
🎒
Backpack
Say with partner: "We learn at ____________."
2. Where can you play on swings and slides? Circle 1 Place
🍎
Red Apple
🏞️
Park
🧢
Blue Cap
Say with partner: "I play at the ____________."
3. Where can a family sleep and eat dinner? Circle 1 Place
🐶
Puppy
🏠
House
🥄
Spoon
Say with partner: "The family is inside the ____________."
Where Detectives • Listening Comprehension Page 1 of 2 • Turn the page for the drawing challenge! ➔
Part 2 • Story Place Detective
Draw & Tell a Story Place
Name:
Part A: Where is the Little Bee?
Look at each picture and say the place word
🌻 🐝
ON the flower
🍯 🐝
IN the hive
🍃 🐝
UNDER the leaf
Part B: Where Did Today's Story Happen?
Draw a PLACE from today's read-aloud video! Show where the character was!
Tell your teacher or trace: Where are they in your picture?
They are
the place is
Partner Share Check:
I named a PLACE I pointed to my picture
Where Detectives • Grade K Practice Sheet Page 2 of 2 • Drawing & Verbal Expression
Where Detectives Answer Key Teacher Resource • Scoring & Guidance
Where Detectives Answer Key
Answer Key & Rubric
Quick Evaluation Guide
Page 1: Picture Clue Hunt Solutions
Item 1: Learning Correct: School
🏫 School (Place)
Distractors: Pencil & Backpack are objects (things), not places. Accept "at school" or "in the classroom".
Item 2: Playing Correct: Park
🏞️ Park (Place)
Distractors: Red Apple is a food ; Blue Cap is clothing . Accept "at the park" or "on the playground".
Item 3: Family Correct: House
🏠 House (Place)
Distractors: Puppy is an animal ; Spoon is an object . Accept "inside the house" or "at home".
Page 2: Preposition Match & Dictation Key
Part A (Bee Prepositions):
1. ON the flower (surface contact)
2. IN the hive (enclosed interior)
3. UNDER the leaf (sheltered beneath)
Part B (Drawing & Dictation Expectation):
• Student draws a recognizable setting/place from the YouTube read-aloud video.
• Oral sentence should pair a preposition + location (e.g., "in the room" , "at the park" ).
Kindergarten Oral Language Scoring Rubric
Level 1: Non-Target
Names a person, animal, or object instead of a place (e.g., "The backpack!" ).
Needs Prompt
Level 2: Emerging
Points accurately to the place on screen/page or says a single location noun (e.g., "Park!" ).
Single Noun
Level 3: Developing
Uses an accurate spatial preposition phrase (e.g., "In the house" , "At the park" ).
Preposition Phrase
Level 4: Proficient
Speaks in a complete sentence with subject and location (e.g., "They are inside the house." ).
Target Standard
In-the-Moment Teacher Feedback Cues
If student names a thing: "That’s a thing! 'Where' asks for a PLACE you can visit. What PLACE are they at?"
If student points silently: "You found the spot! Put words to it: They are in the _________."
If student omits preposition: "Is it ON the hive or IN the hive? Say: 'IN the hive!'"
Where Detectives Read-Aloud Unit • Grade K Teacher Answer Key & Diagnostic Protocol
Barnyard Clues Lesson Plan Kindergarten ELA • Day 2 Read-Aloud
Barnyard Clues Lesson Plan
Day 2 • 40 Minutes
Focus: Spatial Prepositions & "Where = Place"
Day 2 Learning Objective
Kindergarteners will answer "Where?" questions about the companion book Bella Bunny's Farmyard Hide-and-Seek by naming specific farm locations and preposition clues using the frame: "Bella is [behind / next to / under / in] the ________."
New Day 2 Contrast
"WHO" = Person or Animal (Bella, Duck).
"WHERE" = Place / Location (Barn, Garden)!
Timed Instructional Plan (0 to 20 Minutes)
Part 1: Launch & Story Modeling
00-05 Min
1. Review Chant & "Who vs. Where" Warm-Up (5 Mins)
Activation
Chant with Binoculars: "Where, oh where? Look and see! WHERE tells the PLACE for you and me!"
Quick Discrimination Check: Teacher holds up two cards (Farmer Dan vs. Red Barn). "If I ask 'WHERE is the cow?', do I point to Farmer Dan or the Red Barn?" Students chorally point and call: "The Red Barn! Because it's a PLACE!"
05-15 Min
2. Interactive Read-Aloud: Bella Bunny's Farmyard Hide-and-Seek (10 Mins)
Story Modeling
Read aloud with slide visuals. Guide students to spot spatial clues and use full oral frames:
Stop 1 (Pg 1): "Farmer Dan shouts, 'Where did Bella hop?'" ➔ Teacher Prompt: "Binoculars up! Where is Bella peeking?" (Students: Behind the sunflowers! ).
Stop 2 (Pg 2): "A flash of white fur inside the red barn!" ➔ Teacher Prompt: "Look high on the bale! Where is Bella resting?" (Students: On the hay bale / in the barn! ).
Stop 3 (Pg 3): "Near the garden wheelbarrow and green wagon." ➔ Teacher Prompt: "Look low! Where is Bella hiding now?" (Students: Under the wooden wagon! ).
15-20 Min
3. Kinesthetic Preposition Motions & Sentence Stem Drill (5 Mins)
Total Physical Response
Teach 4 spatial gestures: BEHIND (hands hide behind back), NEXT TO (hands placed side-by-side), UNDER (duck head under arm), IN (cup hands together).
Choral frame: "Bella is [preposition] the [farm place]."
Where Detectives Unit • Day 2: Barnyard Read-Aloud Page 1 of 2 • Instructional Plan & Script
Kindergarten ELA • Page 2
Practice, Differentiation & Assessment
Mins 20 to 40
20-32 Min
4. Barnyard Detective Clue Practice (Worksheet - 12 Mins)
Tabletop Activity
Students complete their 2-page "Barnyard Where Practice Worksheet" with teacher guidance:
Part 1 (Who vs. Where Sort): Students circle the picture that is a PLACE you can visit, putting an X on the animal/character.
Part 2 (Preposition Match): Students connect Bella to where she is hiding (behind sunflowers, on hay bale, under wagon).
Part 3 (Visual Story Questions): Students answer illustrated multiple-choice questions with picture options for farm places.
Part 4 (Written Clue & Big Draw): Students answer the written question to choose a secret spot, then draw Bella in an expanded illustration box showing her farm setting.
32-40 Min
5. Wrap-Up & "Secret Spot" Exit Clue (8 Mins)
Exit Assessment
Return to rug. Show Slide 8 (Bella's Final Nap Spot).
"Farmer Dan found Bella fast asleep! Put your hands behind your back like binoculars. WHERE is Bella napping?" Call on individual students to use the stem: "Bella is in the wicker basket on the porch!"
Scaffolding & Multilingual Support
Preposition Manipulatives: Give students a toy rabbit and a small cup/block. Have them physically place the bunny under, on, next to the block while saying the word.
Color-Coded Clues: Green highlight for place words (barn, garden, wagon), blue highlight for characters (Dan, Bella, Duck).
Picture Prompting: Point to the option icons (barn 🛖, basket 🧺) to help non-readers identify place options independently.
Higher-Order Extension Prompts
Compound Directions: "Where is Bella, and how did she get there?" (Location + Action inference).
Classroom Spy: Have advanced students hide a classroom mascot (e.g. teddy bear) and give 2 "Where" clues to the class.
Why the Place Fits: "Why was under the wagon a good hiding place for a bunny?" (Connecting setting to character size).
Day 2 Observational Progress Rubric
Novice (1) Confuses "Who" and "Where" (e.g., answers "The bunny!").
Developing (2) Names the place noun without spatial preposition (e.g., "Barn!").
Proficient (3) Pairs preposition with place (e.g., "Behind the sunflowers!").
Where Detectives Unit • Day 2: Barnyard Read-Aloud Page 2 of 2 • Station Flow & Assessment
Barnyard Where Slide Deck Kindergarten ELA • Day 2
Storybook 2: Bella Bunny
Detective Goggles Ready!
Barnyard Where Detectives
Let's search Sunny Meadow Farm to answer WHERE Bella Bunny is hiding!
Unit: Where Detectives • Day 2 Put on your Detective Binoculars! 🔍
Super Detective Rule
WHERE Always Asks for a PLACE!
Clue Rule
WHO? A Person or Animal
🐰 👨🌾 🦆
"Bella Bunny" or "Farmer Dan"
WHO is a character, not a spot!
WHERE? A Place or Spot!
🏡 🚜 🌻
"In the Barn" or "Under the Wagon"
WHERE is somewhere you can visit or go!
Chant: "Where, oh where? Look and see! WHERE tells the PLACE for you and me!"
Spatial Clue Words
Words That Tell WHERE
TPR Motions
🙈
BEHIND
Hands hide behind your back!
📦
IN / INSIDE
Cup your hands together!
👇
UNDER
Duck down under your arms!
👉👈
NEXT TO
Hands side by side!
Sentence Frame: "Bella is [behind / in / under / next to] the ________."
Story Stop 1 The Sunny Sunflower Garden
Clue #1
🌻 🐰 🌻
"Farmer Dan called, 'Where did Bella hop?' Behind the tall golden petals, two long fuzzy ears wiggled!"
Look closely at the tall flowers!
Detective Question
WHERE is Bella Bunny hiding?
"Bella is BEHIND the sunflowers!"
👉 Sunflowers are in the garden place!
Hold hands behind your back to show the clue word "BEHIND"!
Story Stop 2 The Big Red Barn
Clue #2
🌾 🐰 🛖
"Inside the high barn doors, sweet yellow hay smelled warm. A white fluffy tail hopped right up onto the golden hay bale!"
Look high up on the bale!
Detective Question
WHERE is Bella sitting now?
"Bella is ON the hay bale inside the barn!"
👉 The barn is a big cozy place!
Pat your lap to show "ON the hay bale"!
Story Stop 3 The Green Wooden Wagon
Clue #3
🛞 🐰 🚜
"Down low by the big wooden wheels, shadows kept the dirt cool. Bella wriggled right beneath the wagon floor!"
Look down low in the shadow!
Detective Question
WHERE is Bella peeking from?
"Bella is UNDER the green wagon!"
👉 Under the wagon is her secret spot!
Duck your head down to show "UNDER"!
Partner Clue Turn
Spot the Farm Animal Places!
Talk With Your Partner
🦆 🌊
WHERE is Duck?
"Duck is IN the pond!"
🐔 🏠
WHERE is Hen?
"Hen is ON the coop roof!"
🐮 🪜
WHERE is Cow?
"Cow is NEXT TO the fence!"
Detective Prompt: Partner A asks "Where is the duck?", Partner B answers with the full sentence!
Secret Spot Exit Clue
Final Mission
🧺 💤 🐰
Farmer Dan found Bella fast asleep!
Whisper in your detective hand: WHERE is Bella napping?
"Bella is IN the basket on the farmhouse porch!"
🎉 You solved the Day 2 Barnyard Mystery! Super Job, Where Detectives! 🌟
Barnyard Where Practice Worksheet Kindergarten ELA • Day 2 Clue Sheet
Barnyard Where Practice Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Rule "WHERE" asks for a PLACE ! A place is a spot you can go to.
🔍 Detective Eyes On!
1 Part 1: Detective Place Finder
Circle the PLACE you can visit. Put an X on the animal or person.
🛖
Red Barn (Place or Animal?)
🐰
Bella Bunny (Place or Animal?)
👨🌾
Farmer Dan (Place or Person?)
🌻
Sunflower Patch (Place or Plant?)
2 Part 2: Where Is Bella? Match the Clue Line
Draw a line from the clue word to the farm spot.
A
BEHIND
Hiding from view
The tall yellow sunflowers
🌻
B
ON TOP OF
Resting up high
The soft golden hay bale
🌾
C
UNDER
Beneath the floor
The green wooden wagon
🚜
Where Detectives Unit • Day 2: Barnyard Clues Page 1 of 2 • Who vs. Where & Prepositions
Kindergarten ELA • Page 2
Barnyard Clues & Secret Spot
Part 3 & 4
3 Story Clue Questions: Fill in the Bubble for the PLACE
1. WHERE did Bella Bunny go when she wanted to climb high?
🛖 Up in the red barn
🤠 Farmer Dan's hat
☁️ A fluffy white cloud
2. WHERE did Bella take her cozy nap at the end of the day?
🚜 Inside the tractor
🧺 In the wicker basket
🦆 With splashing ducks
4
Written Detective Clue Question
WHERE on the farm would be the best secret spot for Bella to hide? Circle one PLACE:
🌳 Behind the big oak tree
🛖 In the cozy chicken coop
🪵 Under the wooden bench
Draw Bella in Your Secret Farm Spot!
Draw the whole PLACE around Bella
Where Detectives Unit • Day 2: Barnyard Clues Page 2 of 2 • Illustrated Questions & Secret Spot Drawing
Barnyard Where Answer Key Teacher Resource • Scoring & Diagnostic Key
Barnyard Where Answer Key
Day 2 • Answer Key
Quick Evaluation & Feedback Guide
Worksheet Page 1 Solutions (Place Finder & Prepositions)
Part 1: Detective Place Finder Who vs. Where
• Red Barn: CIRCLE (A place you can walk into).
• Bella Bunny: PUT AN X (An animal / WHO).
• Farmer Dan: PUT AN X (A person / WHO).
• Sunflower Patch: CIRCLE (A farm garden place).
Part 2: Preposition Clue Match Matching Lines
• A (BEHIND): Connects to Tall yellow sunflowers 🌻
• B (ON TOP OF): Connects to Golden hay bale 🌾
• C (UNDER): Connects to Green wooden wagon 🚜
Worksheet Page 2 Solutions (Visual MC & Drawing)
Part 3: Illustrated Multiple Choice Bubbles
Item 1 (Climb High): Correct: "Up in the red barn" 🛖. (Distractors: Farmer Dan's hat 🤠 is an object; cloud ☁️ is in the sky).
Item 2 (Nap Spot): Correct: "In the wicker basket" 🧺. (Distractors: tractor engine 🚜 is unsafe/wrong; ducks 🦆 is who, not where she slept).
Part 4: Written Question & Enlarged Drawing
• Written Question: Accept any circled place (oak tree 🌳, chicken coop 🛖, wooden bench 🪵) because all 3 choices represent legitimate farm places.
• Drawing Box: Student drawing should illustrate Bella positioned in, behind, or under their chosen farm place setting.
Day 2 Oral Diagnostic Rubric
Level 1: Who Confusion
Answers with character instead of place (e.g., "Bella!" or "Farmer Dan!" ).
Re-cue Rule
Level 2: Place Noun Only
Identifies the place but omits the preposition (e.g., "Barn!" or "Wagon!" ).
Prompt Preposition
Level 3: Preposition Phrase
Accurately uses preposition + place noun (e.g., "Under the wagon" ).
Developing
Level 4: Complete Sentence
Produces full target sentence: "Bella is behind the sunflowers."
Mastery Target
In-the-Moment Teacher Coaching Scripts
If student names "Bella": "Bella is WHO is hiding! 'WHERE' asks for the SPOT! What spot is she at?"
If student says "Wagon": "Great detective eye! Is she ON the wagon or UNDER the wagon? Say: 'UNDER the wagon!'"
If student gestures only: "You ducked under! Match words to your body: 'Bella is under the wagon.'"
Where Detectives Read-Aloud Unit • Day 2: Barnyard Clues Teacher Answer Key & Diagnostic Protocol