LESSONS

Fiction

The Prohuman Grade 3 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. In Unit 6, Lesson 1, “Learning Compassion from Literature,” students will learn examples of compassion from a classic work of children’s literature. Students will also write sentences demonstrating their comprehension of the word compassion. Finally, students will practice 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 compassion Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word compassion 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: White string or paper to make a spider web Child-safe scissors Tape Markers or crayons Book: Charlotte's Web: Wilbur's Prize, adapted by Jennifer Frantz or Video: Read aloud of Charlotte’s Web: Wilbur’s Prize by Love School- Learning and Playing (~5 min) Prohuman Grade 3 Unit 6 Worksheet 1: Learning Compassion from Literature VOCABULARY: Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. Empathy: I understand the emotions, needs, and feelings of others. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.C Decode multisyllable words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.D Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4.A Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.B 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.3.1.C Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.D Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.6 Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Moral Character A4 Offer examples of caring and compassionate behaviors (at home, in school, in the community) Moral Character B4 Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates caring and compassion Self-Awareness A1 Understand and explain why different situations may set in motion or give rise to different emotions (e.g., learning something new or difficult, meeting someone new) 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) LESSON PROCEDURE Today, we will learn about compassion. Write compassion on the board. Ask students what compassion means. Give them the definition: We see when others are hurt or need help, and we try to help them. Write empathy on the board. Ask students what empathy means. Give students the definition: We understand the emotions, needs, and feelings of others. Read the book Charlotte's Web: Wilbur's Prize adapted by Jennifer Frantz or Play the video: Read aloud of Charlotte’s Web: Wilbur’s Prize by Love School- Learning and Playing (~5 min) Ask students to answer the questions on their worksheets. Ask students to read their answers to a partner. Activity: Tell the students that in the story, Charlotte the spider made a web with the words “Some Pig” to describe Wilbur. Let’s make a spider web for a partner and put a nice word on the web that describes our partner. Have students make a spider web out of string or paper. Have students choose a nice word to describe their partner and tape it to their partner’s web. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS Play the film Charlotte’s Web (Rated G, running time 1 hour, 37 minutes) Talk with your students about times you have seen examples of people demonstrating compassion. You could give examples of family, friends, historical figures, or current public figures. Talk with your students about times when you have demonstrated compassion, despite hardships. GRADE 3 UNIT 6 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING COMPASSION FROM LITERATURE Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. Empathy: I understand the emotions, needs, and feelings of others. ACTIVITY: Use your empathy to explain how Wilbur felt at the beginning of the story. How did Charlotte show compassion to Wilbur? How did Wilbur show compassion to Charlotte? What do you see as the central message of the story Charlotte’s Web: Wilbur’s Prize?

Nonfiction

The Prohuman Grade 3 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. In Unit 6, Lesson 2, “Learning Compassion from a Nonfiction Text,” students will learn an example of compassion from the life of a real person. By independently reading a nonfiction text, students will develop their reading comprehension skills. Finally, students will create sentences that demonstrate their reading comprehension and share their sentences with a partner. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts 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 compassion Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates REQUIRED MATERIALS: Video: Who was Harriet Tubman? by A Kid Explains History (~4 min) Prohuman Grade 3 Unit 6 Worksheet 2: Learning Compassion from a Nonfiction Text VOCABULARY: Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.10 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 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.C Decode multisyllable words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.D Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4.A Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.B 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.3.1.C Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.D Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.6 Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Moral Character A4 Offer examples of caring and compassionate behaviors (at home, in school, in the community) Moral Character B4 Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates caring and compassion 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) Civic Character A4 Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally 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 LESSON PROCEDURE Tell students that today we will learn about some important people in American history who showed compassion. Tell students: Imagine that someone could own another person and make them do work they didn't want to do, without paying them. That is what slavery was like in America. Tell students that there was a time in America when there was slavery. People were taken from Africa and made to be slaves. This was very wrong and unfair. Slavery was ended in America in 1865. Tell students that there were many people who helped the slaves become free. One of those people is Harriet Tubman. Play video: Who was Harriet Tubman? by A Kid Explains History (~4 min) Tell the students that another person who helped to free slaves on the Underground Railroad was named Jermain Wesley Loguen. His daughter showed compassion and helped others. She was named Sarah Loguen Fraser. Have students read the nonfiction text on the worksheet quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students. Have students write the answers to the worksheet questions. Have students share their answers with a partner. GRADE 3 UNIT 6 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING COMPASSION FROM A NONFICTION TEXT Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. NONFICTION TEXT: SARAH LOGUEN FRASER’S COMPASSION Sarah Loguen Fraser was born in 1850 in Syracuse, New York. She was the fifth of eight children. Her parents helped slaves escape to freedom. Her father, Jermain Wesley Loguen, was called the "King of the Underground Railroad." Her childhood home in Syracuse was a stop for about 1,500 slaves on their way to freedom. In 1873, when she was at a bus stop in Washington, D.C., Sarah heard a boy scream. A wagon had rolled over his leg. She had compassion for the boy and wanted to help him and others who were hurting. Sarah decided to study to become a doctor. At that time, most people studying to become doctors were men. At some schools, women were not allowed to study at all. In 1876, Sarah became the first African American woman to earn a medical degree from Syracuse University's College of Medicine, and the fourth woman in New York State to earn this degree. Sarah opened a free medical clinic in the Dominican Republic and became that country's first woman doctor. Source: Smith, Amber. “Sarah Loguen Fraser: Determined to be a doctor.” Syracuse.com. Published February 17, 2003. ACTIVITY: What did Sarah Loguen Fraser do that was special for her time? How did Sarah Loguen Fraser show compassion? How did Sarah Loguen Fraser help others? What did you learn about compassion from Sarah Loguen Fraser that can help yourself and others?

Social Studies

STEM

History

The Prohuman Grade 3 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. In Unit 6, Lesson 3, “Writing an Opinion Piece About Compassion,” students will write an opinion piece in which they introduce the topic they are writing about, state an opinion, create an organizational structure that lists reasons, use linking words and phrases, and provide a concluding statement or section. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Demonstrate comprehension of the word compassion Write an opinion piece that introduces the topic, states an opinion, creates an organizational structure that lists reasons, uses linking words and phrases, and provides a concluding statement or section. Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar REQUIRED MATERIALS: Prohuman Grade 3 Unit 6 Worksheet 3: Writing an Opinion Piece About Compassion VOCABULARY: Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.A Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.B Provide reasons that support the opinion. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.C Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1.D Provide a concluding statement or section. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.4 With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.C Use abstract nouns (e.g., childhood). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.F Ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.I Produce simple, compound, and complex sentences. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Moral Character A4 Offer examples of caring and compassionate behaviors (at home, in school, in the community) Self-Awareness A3 Explain the ways in which you use and practice your personal strengths (e.g., your willingness to help others, your positivity) Civic Character A4 Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A3 Understand and recognize the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., honesty, compromising, sharing, encouragement) LESSON PROCEDURE Today we will write an opinion piece about the most important way you can show compassion. An opinion piece does five things. First, it introduces the topic you are writing about. Second, it states your opinion. Third, it supplies reasons that support your opinion Fourth, it uses linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons Finally, it provides a concluding statement or section Here is an example of an opinion piece about compassion. Write on the board: Topic: There are many different ways we can show compassion. Opinion: The best way I can show compassion is by helping my students learn to read and write well. Reason 1: Reading well helps us to succeed in life because it helps us to learn all the information we need. Reason 2: Reading well helps us to learn about new worlds and ideas, and to enjoy experiencing stories. Reason 3: Writing well is very important so that we can communicate well with others and form good relationships. Closure: In my opinion, the best way I can show compassion is by helping my students learn how to read and write well so they can have good relationships and be successful. Now each student will write their opinion piece on their worksheet. NOTE: Collect and keep the worksheet on the following page for the next day’s lesson in which students will share their opinion pieces with a partner. GRADE 3 UNIT 6 WORKSHEET 3: WRITING AN OPINION PIECE ABOUT COMPASSION Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. ACTIVITY: Write an opinion piece about the best way you can show compassion. Topic: Opinion: Reason 1: Reason 2: Reason 3: Closure:

The Prohuman Grade 3 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. In Unit 6, Lesson 4, “Sharing Opinion Pieces About Compassion,” students will practice their reading skills by reading their opinion pieces 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 demonstrated compassion. Finally, students will write two examples, on their worksheets, using complete sentences, about how other students discussed compassion in their opinion pieces. 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 partner’s 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 REQUIRED MATERIALS: Prohuman Grade 3 Unit 6 Worksheet 4: Sharing Opinion Pieces About Compassion VOCABULARY: Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.B 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.3.1.C Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.D Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.6 Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Moral Character A4 Offer examples of caring and compassionate behaviors (at home, in school, in the community) Self-Awareness A3 Explain the ways in which you use and practice your personal strengths (e.g., your willingness to help others, your positivity) Civic Character A4 Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A3 Understand and recognize the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., honesty, compromising, sharing, encouragement) Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A7 Give and receive constructive feedback to classmates and peers LESSON PROCEDURE Today we will read our opinion pieces about compassion (from Lesson 3) with a partner. Circle the room to support the students as they take turns reading their opinion pieces to their partners. (10 min) Now we will discuss our opinion pieces. Who would like to raise their hand and tell me how they can best show compassion? Write 2-3 examples on the board, with the student’s name, and briefly describe what they said. (5 min) Finally, we will write on our worksheet two sentences about what we’ve heard. GRADE 3 UNIT 6 WORKSHEET 4: SHARING OPINION PIECES ABOUT COMPASSION Compassion: I see when others are hurt or need help, and I try to help them. ACTIVITY: Write 2 complete sentences about how your classmates said they can show compassion: