Lesson
1
:

Learning Curiosity from Literature

Grade

Grade 2

UNIT

4

•

Curiosity

Last Updated:

July 22, 2025

Unit 4, Lesson 1, “Learning Curiosity from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word curiosity. Students will learn an example of curiosity from a contemporary adaptation of a classic literary work. Additionally, students will write their own questions. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing their questions with classmates.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Listen to a read aloud to reinforce understanding of English sentence structure, syntax, and grammar
  • Practice reading aloud to a partner to support reading comprehension 
  • Spell, define, and give an example of curiosity
  • Compose 3 questions about things that they want to know 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar in writing and speaking 
  • Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

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VOCABULARY:

  • Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

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ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1

Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3

Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5

Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7

Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.10

By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.F

Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.A

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.A

Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8

Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Moral Character A5

Understand why caring and being concerned for the well-being of others is a character strength

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Intellectual Character A1

Describe what it means to be curious

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Intellectual Character B1

Demonstrate genuine curiosity related to learning something new

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Civic Character B1

Demonstrate the ability to share, take turns and follow rules (of a game, at home or school)

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Civic Character B2

Demonstrate the ability to be respectful, courteous and polite

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Self-Awareness A2

Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening)

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Social-Awareness A3

Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others

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Social-Awareness A6

Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1

Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7

Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities

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Responsible and Ethical Decision-Making 1

Describe a rule or principle that everyone should strive to live by (e.g., be kind, be honest, try your best)

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LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will learn about curiosity. 

  1. Write curiosity on the board. 
  2. Ask students what curiosity means.
  3. Give students the definition of curiosity: we want to learn and understand new things.
  4. Without giving any information, show students this painting, Helping Hands by James Clarke Hook.
  5. Ask the students: What is happening in this picture?
  6. Ask the students: What are they curious about? 
  7. Give students the context: This painting was done in 1865 by the English artist James Clarke Hook, and it is called Helping Hands.
  8. Read the book The Three Questions (Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) by John J. Muth or play the video.
  9. Video: Read aloud of The Three Questions by Anne Jahnke (~6 min)
  10. Ask students about the structure—the beginning, middle, and end. 
  11. Ask the students how Nikolai showed curiosity.
  12. Have students complete their worksheets.
  13. Have students read their sentences to a partner.

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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

  • Talk with your students about times you have seen people demonstrating curiosity. You could give examples of family, friends, and/or historical or current public figures.
  • Talk with your students about times you have demonstrated curiosity, despite hardships.

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GRADE 2 UNIT 4 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING CURIOSITY FROM LITERATURE

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Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

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ACTIVITY: 

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Write a complete sentence that explains the three things about which Nikolai was curious.

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Write three questions for which you would like to find the answers: 

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1.

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2.

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3.  

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Prohuman K-12 Curriculum © 2025 by Prohuman Foundation is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0.
To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

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