Lesson
2
:

Learning Gratitude from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 5

UNIT

3

Gratitude

Last Updated:

June 10, 2025

In Unit 3, Lesson 2, “Learning Gratitude from a Nonfiction Text,” students will learn an example of gratitude from a quote by Native American leader Tecumseh. Students will also learn about two other important Native American leaders: Osceola and Cochise. By independently reading a nonfiction text, students will develop their reading comprehension skills. Finally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their reading comprehension and share their sentences with a partner.

SUGGESTED TIME:

  • One class period of 20 minutes: Play the video: So Live Your Life - Chief Tecumseh (A Native American Poem) by RedFrost Motivation (~3 min). Then have students complete the writing activity about the Tecumseh quote in the video (~15 min)
  • Completing the book, Native American Heroes: Osceola, Tecumseh & Cochise by Ann McGovern, will take several class periods of either in-class independent reading or assignments for homework. The book is 128 pages total. The book is divided into 3 sections: Osceloa - 9 chapters, Tecumseh - 7 chapters, and Cochise - 6 chapters, for a total of 22 chapters. It is recommended to assign 1 or 2 chapters per class or homework assignment.

RELATED SUBJECT:

English Language Arts

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Read a nonfiction text independently to develop reading comprehension skills
  • Demonstrate understanding of the main ideas of a nonfiction text
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word gratitude 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:.

  • Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1

Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.2

Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.3

Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.4

Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.8

Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.10

By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.3

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.3.A

Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4.C

Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.B

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.3

Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Moral Character A5

Offer examples of when you expressed gratitude to another person

Moral Character B2

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates integrity and trustworthiness

Moral Character B3

Provide an example of a friend or role model who “stood up” for what he or she thought was wrong or unfair

Moral Character B4

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates caring and compassion

Moral Character B5

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates gratitude

Performance Character B1

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates self-discipline (the ability to forgo instant and immediate gratification for a larger goal or commitment)

Performance Character B4

Provide an example of a role model who demonstrates grit (perseverance and passion for a long-term goal)

Intellectual Character B1

Explain how a particular historical or contemporary person practiced curiosity

Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

Civic Character A1

Understand the idea of fairness and the consequences of not being fair, as it relates to breaking rules, playing favorites, or taking advantage of others

Civic Character B1

Describe how a role model exemplifies fairness

Civic Character B6

Describe how a role model volunteers and contributes to the common good

Social-Awareness A3

Recognize examples of stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice

Social-Awareness A4

Explain a time when you put yourself in “someone else’s shoes” in order to understand their perspective and point of view

Social-Awareness A5

Explain what empathy means (e.g., the ability to sympathetically understand and personally identify with the emotional states, needs and feelings of others)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A3

Understand and recognize the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., honesty, compromising, sharing, encouragement)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A4

Understand and recognize the characteristics of unhealthy relationships (e.g., hostility, intimidation, hitting)

LESSON PROCEDURE

  1. Play the video: So Life Your Life - Chief Tecumseh (A Native American Poem) by RedFrost Motivation (~3 min) 
  2. Have students read the book: Native American Heroes: Osceola, Tecumseh & Cochise by Ann McGovern, which can be assigned as homework for the month or will require multiple days of in-class silent reading.
  3. Have students write the answers to the worksheet questions.
  4. Have students share their answers with a partner.

GRADE 5 UNIT 3 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING GRATITUDE FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.

ACTIVITY 1 — QUESTIONS FOR THE VIDEO: 

  1. How does Tecumseh express gratitude in this quote:

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.” -Tecumseh 

  1. When was a time you expressed gratitude and what was it for?

ACTIVITY 2 — QUESTIONS FOR THE BOOK Native American Heroes: Osceola, Tecumseh & Cochise by Ann McGovern 

  1. What do you think was the strongest aspect of Osceola’s character and why? 

  1. What do you think was the strongest aspect of Tecumseh’s character and why? 

  1. What do you think was the strongest aspect of Cochise’s character and why?

  1. How can you apply what you learned about these Native American leaders to your own life to help yourself and others?

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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