LESSONS

Fiction

The Prohuman Grade 1 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. Unit 1, Lesson 1, “Learning Optimism from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word optimism. Students will learn the definition of optimism and examples from a classic work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word optimism. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts 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 optimism Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word optimism Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar in writing and speaking Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates REQUIRED MATERIALS: A plastic jar for each student A blank of paper for each student Child-safe scissors for each student Prohuman Grade 1 Unit 1 Worksheet 1: Learning Optimism From Literature Book: The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper or Video: Read aloud of The Little Engine That Could by Reading with Rachel Day (~8 min) VOCABULARY: Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1.A Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.A Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Moral Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative Moral Character A5 Understand why caring and being concerned for the well-being of others is a character strength Moral Character B Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative Self-Awareness A1 Identify and name different emotions (e.g., positive emotions, negative emotions, intense emotions) Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Self-Management A3 Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes) Social-Awareness A1 Demonstrate the ability to understand what another person is feeling (e.g., happy, sad, disappointed, confused, angry) Social-Awareness A2 Demonstrate the ability to care about how others are feeling Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others Social-Awareness A6 Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1 Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7 Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities 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) Civic Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good LESSON PROCEDURE Today we will learn about optimism. Write optimism on the board. Ask students to spell optimism on their worksheets. Tell students that optimism means that we have hope and believe that our actions will help things to turn out well. Tell students that we will be writing 5 sentences about optimism to put in our optimism jars, so if we are ever having a bad time we can pull one of our sentences out of our jars. Write the following five sentences on the board, and have students copy them down on their worksheets: I am smart. I am strong. I can reach my goals. I can do anything I set my mind to. I believe in myself. Have students cut out each sentence and fold the slips of paper to put them in their optimism jars. Pass out one plastic jar or cup to each student. If desired, they can decorate their jars. Read The Little Engine That Could aloud to the class or play the video Read aloud of The Little Engine That Could by Reading with Rachel Day (~8 min) Ask students how the engine in the story showed optimism. Let’s work on some writing about optimism. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains how the engine showed optimism. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains how the engine’s optimism helped her and others. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains a time they showed optimism. Ask students to read their sentences to a partner. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS Talk with your students about times that you have seen examples of people demonstrating optimism. You could give examples of family, friends, and/or historical or current public figures. Talk with your students about times in your life that you have demonstrated optimism, despite hardships. GRADE 1 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING OPTIMISM FROM LITERATURE Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. Write the word optimism: ACTIVITY: COPY SENTENCES ABOUT OPTIMISM Write 1 sentence that explains how the engine showed optimism: Write 1 sentence that explains how the engine’s optimism helped her and others: Write 1 sentence that explains a time when you showed optimism:

Nonfiction

The Prohuman Grade 1 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. Unit 1, Lesson 2, “Learning Optimism from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word optimism. Students will learn an example of optimism from the life of a real person. Additionally, students will practice their reading comprehension skills by reading alone and hearing a reading from the teacher. Finally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their reading comprehension. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Practice reading aloud to support reading comprehension Spell, define, and give an example of optimism Compose 2 sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word optimism Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates VOCABULARY: Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Video: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation by Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (~2 min) Prohuman Grade 1 Unit 1 Worksheet 2: Learning Optimism from a Nonfiction Text ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1.A Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4.B Read grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4.C Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.B Use end punctuation for sentences. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.10 With prompting and support, read informational texts appropriately complex for grade CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.A Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.B Build on others' talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.C Ask questions to clear up any confusion about the topics and texts under discussion. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Moral Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative Moral Character A5 Understand why caring and being concerned for the well-being of others is a character strength Moral Character B Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative Self-Management A3 Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes) Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others Social-Awareness A6 Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1 Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7 Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities 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) Civic Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good LESSON PROCEDURE Today we will continue to learn about optimism. Write optimism on the board. Ask students to spell optimism on their worksheets. Ask students what we learned about optimism from the last lesson. Play the video: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (~2 min). Have students read the nonfiction text independently, quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students. After giving the students 10 minutes to practice reading, then read the text aloud to the whole class. Have students write the answers to the worksheet questions. After students write the answers to the worksheet questions, have them take turns reading their sentences aloud to a partner. Circle the room to support students. Ask students to share one sentence from their partner’s worksheet with the class, explaining how it shows optimism. Extension Activity: Organize a class lemonade stand to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. GRADE 1 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING OPTIMISM FROM A NONFICTION TEXT Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. Write the word optimism: NONFICTION TEXT: ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND When Alex Scott was a baby, she got sick. She had a disease called cancer. Doctors helped her feel better. She had hope about the future. She wanted to help other kids. When she was four years old, she told her mom that she wanted to start a lemonade stand to raise money. She would give the money to doctors. She said, “I want the doctors to help other kids, like they helped me.” She held her first lemonade stand and raised two thousand dollars. Alex and her family held many lemonade stands to help kids with cancer. People from all over the world, moved by her story, held their own lemonade stands and gave the money to Alex and her cause. After four years, Alex raised one million dollars. Alex’s family keeps raising money to help kids with cancer through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Source: https://www.alexslemonade.org/about/meet-alex ACTIVITY: Write a sentence that explains how Alex showed optimism. Write a sentence that explains how Alex’s optimism helped others.

The Prohuman Grade 1 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. Unit 1, Lesson 3, “Writing a Narrative About Optimism,” reinforces the vocabulary word optimism. Students will have the opportunity to practice their narrative writing skills by writing a story of three sentences, with a beginning, middle, and end, that shows how they demonstrated optimism. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Compose three sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word optimism Create a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar VOCABULARY: Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Prohuman Grade 1 Unit 1 Worksheet 3: Writing a Narrative About Optimism ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1.A Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.B Use common, proper, and possessive nouns. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.C Use singular and plural nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences (e.g., He hops; We hop). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.D Use personal, possessive, and indefinite pronouns (e.g., I, me, my; they, them, their, anyone, everything). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.G Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, so, because). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.B Use end punctuation for sentences. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.3 Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Self-Management A3 Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes) Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others Social-Awareness A6 Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1 Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7 Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities 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) LESSON PROCEDURE Today we will write a personal story about optimism, of three sentences, with a beginning, middle, and end. Write optimism on the board. Here is an example of a story about a time I showed optimism. Write on the board: Beginning: My car didn’t start and I didn’t know why. Middle: I thought that if I took action I would be able to solve the problem. End: I took my car to the repair shop and the repair person fixed my car. Now you will think of a time when you showed optimism and write your own story. NOTE: Collect and keep the worksheet on the following page for the next day’s lesson in which students will share their stories with a partner. GRADE 1 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING A NARRATIVE ABOUT OPTIMISM Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. ACTIVITY: Write 3 sentences that explain a time when you showed optimism. Beginning: Middle: End:

The Prohuman Grade 1 curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Character and Social Emotional Development (CSED) National Guidelines. The full collection of units introduces all nine of the prohuman character strengths: optimism, grit, gratitude, curiosity, courage, compassion, fairness, understanding, and humanity. Unit 1, Lesson 4, “Sharing Stories About Optimism,” reinforces the vocabulary word optimism. Students will practice their reading skills by reading their stories to a partner and their listening skills by listening to their partners’ stories. Then, students will participate in a class discussion about the different ways students showed optimism. Finally, students will write two examples, on their worksheets, using complete sentences, of how other students showed optimism. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Read aloud to a partner to support development of English pronunciation, syntax, and grammar Listen to a partners’ reading to develop active listening skills Participate in a class discussion to develop active listening and conversation skills Write complete sentences to practice correct English syntax and grammar VOCABULARY: Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Prohuman Grade 2 Unit 1 Worksheet 4: Sharing Stories About Optimism ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. 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. 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). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Self-Management A3 Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes) Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others Social-Awareness A6 Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1 Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7 Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities LESSON PROCEDURE Today we will read our stories about optimism with a partner. Circle the room to support the students as they take turns reading their stories to their partner. (10 min) Now we will talk about how students in our class wrote stories about optimism. Who would like to raise their hand and tell me how their story showed optimism? Write 2-3 examples on the board, with the student’s name and a brief description of what they said. (5 min) Finally, we will write on our worksheet two sentences about what we’ve heard. For example, a sentence could be, “Mona showed optimism by thinking she could get an A on her math test and getting an A.” GRADE 2 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 4: SHARING STORIES OF OPTIMISM Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well. ACTIVITY: Write 2 complete sentences about how your classmates showed optimism in their stories.