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 about a read-aloud text by naming or pointing to a place/location , using the gesture cue and sentence frame: "Barnaby is [in / on / 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 & Story Modeling
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 Read-Aloud: Barnaby Bear's Lost Scarf (10 Mins)
Core Modeling
Read the companion narrative (displayed on slides or read aloud). Pause at each stop using the structured prompts below:
Stop 1 (Pg 1): "Barnaby wakes up yawning in his cozy tree den." ➔ Prompt: "Detective goggles on! Where is Barnaby waking up?" (Answer: In the cozy den / in his bed).
Stop 2 (Pg 2): "He checks the bubbly river pond." ➔ Prompt: "Look at the water! Where is Barnaby searching now?" (Answer: At the river / in the pond).
Stop 3 (Pg 3): "Squirrel points up into the tall apple branches." ➔ Prompt: "Look high! Where is Squirrel sitting?" (Answer: Up in the apple tree / on the branch).
15-20 Min
3. Guided Choral Practice & Stem Rehearsal (5 Mins)
Oral Rehearsal
Teacher models full-sentence frame with hand motions: "Barnaby is IN the cave." • "The scarf is UNDER the barn roof."
*If a student answers with an object (e.g., "The red scarf!"), gently cue: "The scarf is a THING! Where is a PLACE! What place is it 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 Prompt 1. Students circle the picture that shows the PLACE where Barnaby searched.Step 2 (Partner Turn): Students point with a finger to their partner: "Where is he?" Partner responds using the visual word bank.Step 3 (Independent): Students trace the location word or draw Barnaby in their favorite secret place.
32-40 Min
5. Wrap-Up & Secret Exit Check (8 Mins)
Formative Exit
Gather back on the rug. Teacher displays Slide 8 (Exit Challenge):
"Barnaby is hiding! Look at the picture. Whisper in your hand: WHERE is he hiding?" On count of 3, whole group releases the place word together. Quick observational check on target students.
Scaffolding & Multilingual Support
Visual Picture Cards: Allow non-verbal or emerging bilingual students to point to the location card (tree, den, pond) instead of producing full sentences.
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: [Barnaby] [is] [at] [the pond] .
Higher-Order Extension Prompts
Two-Part "Where" Questions: "Where did Barnaby look first, and where did he look next?" (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: "in the dark burrow", "at the muddy shoreline" .
1-Minute Observational Rubric (Quick Tally)
Needs Prompting (1) Names person or thing instead of a place (e.g., "The bear!").
Approaching (2) Points to place or gives single isolated noun (e.g., "Pond!").
Mastery (3) Uses preposition phrase or stem (e.g., "In the pond!").
Where Detectives Read-Aloud Unit • Grade K Page 2 of 2 • Station Flow & Assessment
Where Quest Slide Deck Kindergarten Read-Aloud
Where Clues
🔍 🐻 🧣 Detective Eyes Ready!
Where Detectives!
The Mystery of Barnaby Bear’s Lost Scarf
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 Pond
A Place!
🌳
The Tree
A Place!
🛖
The Den
A Place!
🚜
The Barn
A Place!
❌ Not a person! | ❌ Not a toy! | ✅ ALWAYS A PLACE!
Story Stop 1 • Morning Time Look for Clues
🛏️ 🐻 🪵
Barnaby's Cozy Den
Warm blanket of dry leaves & twigs
Detective Question:
WHERE is Barnaby Bear waking up?
Say the Full Place Sentence:
"Barnaby is waking up in his cozy den."
Action: Point to where Barnaby sleeps! Keyword: IN the den
Story Stop 2 • Splash Time Look for Clues
🌊 🐟 🪨
The Bubbly River Pond
Splashing cool water over rocks
Detective Question:
WHERE is Barnaby washing his paws?
Say the Full Place Sentence:
"Barnaby is washing his paws at the river pond."
Action: Make swimming hands at the pond! Keyword: AT the pond
Story Stop 3 • Snack Time Look for Clues
🌳 🍎 🐿️
The Tall Apple Tree
Crisp red apples high on green branches
Detective Question:
WHERE is Squirrel eating a sweet red snack?
Say the Full Place Sentence:
"Squirrel is sitting up in the apple tree."
Action: Reach your arms high up like tree branches! Keyword: UP IN the tree
Story Stop 4 • Mystery Solved! Final Clue
🚜 🧣 🐔
Under the Barn Roof
Hen found it tucked safe in warm golden straw!
Detective Mystery Question:
WHERE was Barnaby’s lost red scarf?
Say the Full Place Sentence:
"The scarf was hidden inside the red barn!"
Great detective work! Mystery solved! 🎉 Keyword: INSIDE the barn
Detective Echo Chant
Choral Talk
Repeat after teacher with big gestures!
Barnaby is
[ in / on / under / at ]
the [ PLACE ] !
🐟
"IN the pond!"
(Hands splash!)
🌳
"ON the tree branch!"
(Arms stretch high!)
🚜
"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 Scarf
Is this a PLACE? (No, a thing!)
🐻
B. Barnaby Bear
Is this a PLACE? (No, a bear!)
🌳
C. The Green Forest
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 the PLACE !
1. Where does Barnaby Bear wake up in the morning? Circle 1 Place
🪵
Cozy Den
🥄
Honey Spoon
🌰
Acorn Nut
Say with partner: "Barnaby wakes up in the ____________."
2. Where does Barnaby wash his muddy paws? Circle 1 Place
🍎
Red Apple
🌊
River Pond
🎩
Winter Hat
Say with partner: "Barnaby washes his paws at the ____________."
3. Where did Hen find the lost cozy scarf? Circle 1 Place
🐸
Green Frog
🚜
Red Barn
🌼
Daisy Flower
Say with partner: "The scarf was hidden inside the ____________."
Where Detectives • Listening Comprehension Page 1 of 2 • Turn the page for the drawing challenge! ➔
Part 2 • Secret Place Detective
Draw & Tell Your Place
Name:
Part A: Where is the Little Bee?
Look at each picture and choose the place word
🌻 🐝
ON the flower
🍯 🐝
IN the hive
🍃 🐝
UNDER the leaf
Part B: Where is Barnaby Hiding?
Draw Barnaby Bear in a secret place (at the park, in a tree, under a bridge, or in the cave)!
Tell your teacher or trace: Where is Barnaby Bear?
Barnaby is
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: Waking Up Correct: Den
🪵 Cozy Den (Place)
Distractors: Spoon & Acorn are objects (things), not places. Accept "in his den" or "in his bed".
Item 2: Washing Paws Correct: Pond
🌊 River Pond (Place)
Distractors: Apple is a food ; Hat is clothing . Accept "at the river", "in the water".
Item 3: Scarf Location Correct: Barn
🚜 Red Barn (Place)
Distractors: Frog is an animal ; Flower is a plant . Accept "inside the barn", "in the straw".
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 (cave, park, pond, tree).
• Oral sentence should pair the preposition + location (e.g., "under the tree" , "at the school" ).
Kindergarten Oral Language Scoring Rubric
Level 1: Non-Target
Names a person, animal, or object instead of a place (e.g., "The scarf!" or "Barnaby!" ).
Needs Prompt
Level 2: Emerging
Points accurately to the place on the picture or says a single location noun (e.g., "Pond!" ).
Single Noun
Level 3: Developing
Uses an accurate spatial preposition phrase (e.g., "In the pond" , "At the barn" ).
Preposition Phrase
Level 4: Proficient
Speaks in a complete sentence with subject and location (e.g., "Barnaby is inside the red barn." ).
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 is he at?"
If student points silently: "You found the spot! Put words to it: Barnaby is in the _________."
If student omits preposition: "Is he ON the cave or IN the cave? Say: 'IN the cave!'"
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 Partner Hunt (Worksheet Practice - 12 Mins)
Tabletop Activity
Students complete their 2-page "Barnyard Where Practice Worksheet" in detective pairs:
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, in barn, under wagon).Part 3 (Draw & Describe): Students draw Bella in a secret farm spot and tell their partner: "Bella is under the tractor!"
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).
Echo Modeling: Model first, have student repeat just the preposition phrase: "Behind the flowers!"
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 Clue Questions & Drawing
Part 3 & 4
3 Listen to the Story Question: 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 engine
In the wicker basket
With the splashing ducks
4 Draw Bella in a Secret Farm Spot!
Draw Bella hiding (under a wagon, behind a tree, or in the barn). Include details of the PLACE !
Partner Share & Sentence Frame Point & Say
Tell your partner where Bella is hiding in your drawing:
"Bella is the ."
Where Detectives Unit • Day 2: Barnyard Clues Page 2 of 2 • Comprehension, Drawing & Speaking
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 (Comprehension & Drawing)
Part 3: 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; with ducks was not where she slept).
Part 4 & 5: Drawing & Partner Oral Stem
• Drawing: Depicts Bella positioned in, on, under, or behind a farm object/place.
• Oral Sentence Frame: Student says: "Bella is [preposition] the [farm location]." (e.g., "Bella is behind the fence." or "Bella is under the tractor." ).
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
