Lesson
2
:

Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 5

UNIT

4

•

Curiosity

Last Updated:

June 26, 2025

In Unit 4, Lesson 2, “Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text,” students will learn an example of curiosity from the life of a real person. 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.

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RELATED SUBJECT:

English Language Arts

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Read a nonfiction text independently to develop reading comprehension skills
  • Demonstrate understanding of the main idea of a nonfiction text
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word curiosity 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • 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.RI.5.1

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.3

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

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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.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.5.4.C

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.5.9

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

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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.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.B

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

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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.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.3

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

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Moral Character A3

Understand and explain the expression “I have the courage to stand up for what is wrong or unfair”

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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

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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)

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Intellectual Character A1

Describe why it is important for learners to be curious

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Intellectual Character A2

Understand the skills (being prepared, focused effort, diligent practice, attention to detail, etc.) that enable someone to acquire or polish a skill

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Intellectual Character B1

Explain how a particular historical or contemporary person practiced curiosity

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Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

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Civic Character A4

Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally

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Civic Character A6

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

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Social-Awareness A3

Recognize examples of stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice

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LESSON PROCEDURE

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  1. Tell the class that today, we will learn about an important person in American history who showed the character strength of curiosity. 
  2. Play the video: Benjamin Banneker, Astronomer by Biography (~3 min)
  3. Read the book: Dear Benjamin Banneker by Brian Pinkney or 
  4. Play the video: Read aloud of Dear Benjamin Banneker by The Children’s Museum of Cleveland (~15 min)
  5. Have students write the answers to the worksheet questions.
  6. Have students share their answers with a partner.

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GRADE 5 UNIT 4 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING CURIOSITY FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

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Curiosity: I want to learn new things. 

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ACTIVITY:

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  1. How did Benjamin Banneker show curiosity?

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  1. How did Benjamin Banneker experience prejudice and discrimination? 

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  1. What were some of Benjamin Banneker’s contributions to the fields of science and technology? 

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  1. What did Benjamin Banneker do that made him famous?

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  1. How did Benjamin Banneker stand up for the rights of enslaved people?

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  1. What is something you are curious about and why?

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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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