Finding an Author's Reasons
A 40-minute Grade 1 lesson on identifying the reasons an author gives to support a point, and telling a reason from a repeat.
Finding an Author's Reasons is a free 40-minute Grade 1 English lesson plan for Common Core standard RI.1.8 — find the reasons the writer gives for what they claim. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Grade 1
- Length:
- 40 minutes
- Standard:
- RI.1.8
Grade 1 · Reading: Informational Text
RI.1.8
Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.
Objective
Students will be able to identify a point an author makes and the reason given for it.
Students are successful when they can
- Identifies the point.
- Identifies the reason.
- Says whether the reason actually supports the point.
What you need
- A short persuasive or explanatory text
- Two coloured cards: POINT and REASON
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — point and reason
5 min- Give three statements, each followed by a reason.
- Hold up the two cards as each part is said.
Teach — a reason is not a repeat
13 min- Read the text. Find a point and hold up the POINT card.
- Find its reason and hold up REASON.
- Now give a fake reason that just repeats the point in other words. Ask whether it is a reason. It is not.
- Do a second point and reason from the text.
- Find a point with no reason attached and say so.
“Saying the same thing again in different words is not a reason. A reason is new information.”
Guided practice — hold up a card
12 min- Read six sentences from the text. Pairs hold up POINT, REASON or neither.
- Settle any that split the room by reading the sentence before it.
Independent practice
8 min- Students complete the reasons page.
- The passage is on the sheet.
Close
2 min- Give a point from the text and ask for its reason.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Offers a restatement as the reason.
Why: It follows the point and sounds supportive, which is what a reason does.
Fix: Ask whether it tells you anything new. A restatement does not, and the test is quick.
Gives their own reason instead of the author's.
Why: They have one and it is good.
Fix: Require the sentence. The author's reason is on the page or it is not there.
Assumes the sentence after the point is always the reason.
Why: It usually is, so position becomes the rule.
Fix: Insert a text where the reason comes first. Position is a hint, not a test.
If they are not there yet
- Give the point and ask only for the reason.
- Use a text where every point has one reason directly after it.
If they finish early
- Find a point with two reasons.
- Say which of two reasons is stronger.
- Find a point with no reason and suggest one.
Exit ticket
What point does the author make, and what reason do they give for it?
What to look for: A reason that adds information. A restatement means the 'does it tell you anything new' test needs another run.
Printable practice for RI.1.8
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- The Author's ReasonsRead the text, then answer the questions.
Questions about Finding an Author's Reasons
How long does the Finding an Author's Reasons lesson take?
40 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 5 min, teach 13 min, guided practice 12 min, independent practice 8 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Finding an Author's Reasons teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.8 — RI.1.8, Reading: Informational Text for Grade 1: “Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text.” In plain terms, find the reasons the writer gives for what they claim.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
A short persuasive or explanatory text, two coloured cards: POINT and REASON and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: offers a restatement as the reason; gives their own reason instead of the author's and assumes the sentence after the point is always the reason. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “What point does the author make, and what reason do they give for it?.” A reason that adds information. A restatement means the 'does it tell you anything new' test needs another run. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Finding an Author's Reasons?
Yes — 1 printable RI.1.8 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Finding an Author's Reasons free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to RI.1.8 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.