LESSONS

The Prohuman Kindergarten curriculum is aligned to two sets of standards: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy 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 8, Lesson 1, “What is Understanding?” introduces the spelling and definition of the word understanding. Students will learn examples of understanding, provided by the accompanying video. Additionally, students will practice the correct spelling of understanding, demonstrate comprehension through a pictorial demonstration, and practice conversation skills by sharing their illustrations with a partner. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Correctly spell and define understanding Demonstrate comprehension by producing a pictorial representation Practice conversation skills by sharing pictures with classmates REQUIRED MATERIALS: Video: Understanding Someone Else’s Perspective by Mr. Queso’s Classroom (~3 min) Website with an image of a famous (old woman/young woman) optical illusion Prohuman Kindergarten Unit 8 Worksheet 1: What is Understanding? VOCABULARY: Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.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.K.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.L.K.1.A Print many upper- and lowercase letters. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Intellectual Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Intellectual Character B Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Social Awareness A Demonstrate the ability to empathize and take the perspective of others, including demonstrating awareness of cultural differences and respect for human dignity Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to 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 talk about understanding. Write understanding on the board and prompt students to write it on their worksheets. Show students this classic optical illusion and ask what they see: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/brain/optical-illusions-and-how-they-work/selecting Explain that what we see depends on our perspective. We all have a different perspective, so it is very important that we try to understand other people’s perspectives. Play the video: Understanding Someone Else’s Perspective by Mr. Queso’s Classroom (~3 min) Give an example of understanding (e.g., I showed understanding when I didn’t agree with my brother about what movie we should watch. I listened to him to try to understand his point of view.) Write three sentences on the board and ask students which one shows understanding: 1. I don’t care about what other people think. 2. I don’t think I can understand the difference between what is true and false. 3. I listen to what other people think and try to understand the reasons behind what they think. On their worksheets, have students draw a picture of a time they showed understanding. Ask students to share their pictures with a classmate and discuss how they drew an example of understanding. EXTENSION ACTIVITIES Talk with your students about times that you have seen examples of people demonstrating understanding. You can 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 understanding, despite hardships. KINDERGARTEN UNIT 8 WORKSHEET 1: WHAT IS UNDERSTANDING? Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. Write the word understanding: Draw a picture of a time you showed understanding:

Fiction

The Prohuman Kindergarten 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 8, Lesson 2, “Learning Understanding from Literature” reinforces the vocabulary word understanding. Students will learn an example of understanding from a classic work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will practice spelling understanding, copy the definition of the word understanding, and create a pictorial representation of understanding that demonstrates reading comprehension. SUGGESTED TIME: 30 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Listen to a read aloud to reinforce understanding of English sentence structure, syntax, and grammar Spell, define, and give an example of understanding Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar in writing and speaking Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing pictures with classmates REQUIRED MATERIALS: Book: The Three Little Pigs by RH Disney or Video: Read aloud of The Three Little Pigs by Kids Story Time with Jack & Jill (~8 min) Book: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka or Video: Read aloud of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by The Teacher’s Library (~8 min) Prohuman Kindergarten Unit 8 Worksheet 2: Learning Understanding from Literature VOCABULARY: Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.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.K.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.L.K.1.A Print many upper- and lowercase letters. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Intellectual Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Intellectual Character B Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Social Awareness A Demonstrate the ability to empathize and take the perspective of others, including demonstrating awareness of cultural differences and respect for human dignity Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to 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 Write understanding on the board. Ask students to spell understanding on their worksheets. Ask students to copy the definition of understanding on their worksheets. Read the book The Three Little Pigs by RH Disney or play the video Read aloud of The Three Little Pigs by Kids Story Time with Jack & Jill (~8 min) Read the book The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka or Play the video Read aloud of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by The Teacher’s Library (~8 min) Ask students how the story showed understanding of the wolf. Ask students to draw a picture on their worksheets about how the story showed understanding of the wolf. Ask students to share their pictures with their classmates. KINDERGARTEN UNIT 8 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING UNDERSTANDING FROM LITERATURE Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. Write the word understanding: ACTIVITY: Write the definition of the word understanding:

Nonfiction

The Prohuman Kindergarten 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 8, Lesson 3, “Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word understanding. Students will learn examples of understanding from a nonfiction text by listening to a read aloud. Also, students will develop their reading skills by reading the text aloud to a partner. Finally, students will practice their writing skills by copying a sentence about understanding. 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 Spell, define, and give an example of understanding Correctly copy a sentence about understanding 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: Prohuman Kindergarten Unit 8 Worksheet 3: Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text VOCABULARY: Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.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.K.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.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.A Print many upper- and lowercase letters. CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Intellectual Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Intellectual Character B Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Social Awareness A Demonstrate the ability to empathize and take the perspective of others, including demonstrating awareness of cultural differences and respect for human dignity Social-Awareness A3 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 Write understanding on the board. Ask students to spell understanding on their worksheets. Read the nonfiction text on the worksheet. Ask students what is the main topic of the text. Ask students what are the key details of the text. Ask students what is the relationship between understanding, school, stories, home, family, listening, and point of view. Have students take turns reading the nonfiction text to a partner. Have students copy the sentence on the worksheet. KINDERGARTEN UNIT 8 WORKSHEET 3: LEARNING UNDERSTANDING FROM A NONFICTION TEXT NONFICTION TEXT: Understanding means I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. I can show understanding at school. When I read stories, I can try to understand each person’s different point of view. I can show understanding at home by listening to my family members to hear their point of view, which might be

The Prohuman Kindergarten 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 8, Lesson 4, “Writing About Understanding,” students will practice writing sentence dictations from the teacher. Then students will work with a partner to read their sentences aloud. SUGGESTED TIME: 20 minutes RELATED SUBJECT: English Language Arts LEARNING OUTCOMES: Write 3 sentence dictations using phonetically spelled words 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: Prohuman Kindergarten Unit 8 Worksheet 4: Writing About Understanding VOCABULARY: Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine. ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.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.K.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.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.A Print many upper- and lowercase letters. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.B Use frequently occurring nouns and verbs. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2.A Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2.B Recognize and name end punctuation. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2.C Write a letter or letters for most consonant and short-vowel sounds (phonemes). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.2.D Spell simple words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of sound-letter relationships CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.E Use the most frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, for, of, by, with). CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET Intellectual Character A Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Intellectual Character B Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking Self-Awareness A2 Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening) Social Awareness A Demonstrate the ability to empathize and take the perspective of others, including demonstrating awareness of cultural differences and respect for human dignity Social-Awareness A3 Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to 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 Explain the worksheet to the students: Today on your worksheet, I will read aloud, and you will write each word you hear on the lines. Write on your worksheet beside number 1: I show understanding. Write on your worksheet beside number 2: She shows understanding. Write on your worksheet beside number 3: He shows understanding. He listens to everyone’s point of view. KINDERGARTEN UNIT 8 WORKSHEET 4: WRITING ABOUT UNDERSTANDING Understanding: I seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. I think about other people’s views that might be different from mine.