Lesson
2
:

Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

4

Curiosity

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 4, Lesson 2, “Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word curiosity. Students will develop their reading comprehension skills by hearing a reading from the teacher, learn examples of curiosity from a nonfiction text, and create their own sentences that demonstrate reading comprehension.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Listen to a read aloud to develop reading comprehension skills
  • Spell, define, and give an example of curiosity
  • Compose 2 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

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:

  • Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

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.1.3.B

Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3.G

Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4.C

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.

Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.2

Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text.

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.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.D

Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and for frequently occurring irregular words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E

Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.G

Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, so, because).

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.1.2

Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6

Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2

Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Intellectual Character A1

Describe what it means to be curious

Self-Awareness A2

Identify personal strengths (e.g., honesty, curiosity, listening)

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

In preparation for the class activity—a dig for “dinosaur fossils”—bury the plastic fossils either in the playground sandbox or in a small area of the playground. Ideally, bury 3 fossils per student. 

  1. Today we will continue to learn about curiosity.
  2. Ask students what we learned about curiosity from the last lesson.
  3. Write curiosity on the board. 
  4. Ask students to spell curiosity on their worksheets.
  5. Read the text aloud or play the read-aloud video for the whole class.
  6. Take the students on a dinosaur dig for each student to find 3 dinosaur fossils.
  7. Ask students how Mary Anning showed curiosity, and have them write their sentences on their worksheets.
  8. Have students take turns sharing their sentences with a partner.

GRADE 1 UNIT 4 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING CURIOSITY FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

Write the word curiosity: 

_________________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how Mary Anning showed curiosity.

Write 1 sentence that explains how Mary Anning’s curiosity helped others.

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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