Lesson
1
:

Learning Gratitude from Literature

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

3

Gratitude

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 3, Lesson 1, “Learning Gratitude from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word gratitude. Students will learn examples of gratitude from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word gratitude. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

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 gratitude
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word gratitude 
  • 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:

VOCABULARY:

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

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.RL.1.4

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.10

With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1.

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 A6

Understand what gratitude is (the ability to recognize and express appreciation) and why practicing gratitude is a character strength

Moral Character B4

Share an example of when you practiced gratitude as a character strength

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

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 learn about gratitude. 

  1. Write gratitude on the board. 
  2. Ask students to spell gratitude on their worksheets.
  3. Tell students that gratitude means that we are thankful for many things, both big and small. 
  4. Have students read the poem “Dear Sky” by Naomi Shihab Nye (printed on their worksheet) and/or play the video of poem (~1 min)
  5. Ask students how the author of the poem showed gratitude 
  6. Discuss how the words in the poem suggest feelings and appeal to the senses (e.g., How do the colors of the sky reflect feelings?)
  7. Activity: Take students outside to look at the sky and write about what type of clouds they see. Describe the color and shape of the clouds. Describe the rest of the environment as well—the trees, ground, playground, buildings, etc. 

Let’s work on some writing about gratitude.

  1. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains how the author of the poem showed gratitude.
  2. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains how the author of the poem’s gratitude helped her and others. 
  3. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains a time when they showed gratitude.
  4. 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 gratitude. 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 gratitude, despite hardships.

GRADE 1 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING GRIT FROM LITERATURE

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

Write the word gratitude: 

_________________________________________________________________________

Dear Sky by Naomi Shihab Nye 

Dear Sky,

Thank you for sticking around.

I’m a little trapped here, tied to ground by gravity,

in a state, a country, but you

are the true top of my room.

When I stare up, everything feels better.

You calm me down. When you are gray, I know you

are holding on to rain, doing your job. When you’re blue,

everyone loves you. So many styles of clouds

drifting quietly . . . best of all, you always change,

the way I change getting older.

Thank you for showing me how. In your own

mysterious way, I think you care. I want to belong

to everywhere, the way you do. Kids in Dubai,

Kenya, China, Australia, all know you.

You are the true world friend. Sky, I thank you

every day and night for connecting us.

I don’t need any money at all

to own your glory.

Love, 

Small Dot on the Earth

Source: This poem was originally published in the December 2021/January 2022 issue of Scholastic Storyworks.

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how the author of this poem showed gratitude:

Write 1 sentence that explains how the author’s gratitude helped her and others:

Write 1 sentence that explains a time when you showed gratitude:

EXTRA CREDIT:


Each day, for the next 30 days, write something for which you are grateful. It should be something different each day. There is a place for you to write on the next page.

30 DAY GRATITUDE CHALLENGE

Day 1 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Day 30 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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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