Lesson
2
:

Learning Compassion from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

6

Compassion

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 6, Lesson 2, “Learning Compassion from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word compassion. Students will learn examples of compassion from a nonfiction text that shows how a real person demonstrated compassion. Additionally, students will practice their reading comprehension skills by reading independently and hearing a reading from the teacher. Finally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their reading comprehension.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Practice reading independently to develop reading comprehension skills
  • Spell, define, and give an example of compassion
  • Compose 3 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:

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.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.1.1

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

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 B

Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative

Civic Character A

Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good

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 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)

Civic Character A

Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good

LESSON PROCEDURE

  1. Write compassion on the board. 
  2. Ask students to spell compassion on their worksheets.
  3. Ask students what they learned about compassion from the last lesson.
  4. Play the video Active Community Leader: Jakhil Jackson by the Obama Foundation (~1 min)
  5. Have students read the nonfiction text on their worksheets independently, quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students.
  6. After giving the students 10 minutes to practice reading, then read the worksheet text aloud to the whole class.
  7. Ask students how Jakhil showed compassion, and how they can show compassion to help people, either their family, friends, or people in their community. Have them write their sentences on their worksheets.
  8. Have students take turns sharing their sentences with a partner.
  9. Tell students that we will come up with a list of nice things we can do for others to show compassion and write the list on the board. 
  10. Have students choose the four activities they want to do and write them on the compassion coupons activity page. Then have students cut out the coupons and take them home to give to their family, friends, or community members.
  11. Extension activity: Contact a local homeless shelter for their needs list and collect class donations to make blessing bags.

GRADE 1 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. 

Write the word compassion: 

_________________________________________________________________________

NONFICTION TEXT: JAKHIL’S COMPASSION

Jakhil Jackson is from the city of Chicago. When he was five years old, Jakil went to feed homeless people with his aunt and his cousin. When he saw how homeless people lived, with rats and with sleeping bags on the ground, it made him sad. He wanted to help.

To help homeless people, Jakhil made blessing bags. These bags have soap, tissues, socks, wipes, hand sanitizer, and towels. In 2016, he gave out 1,627 bags. In 2017, he gave away 5,140 bags. 

When he was 8 years old, Jakhil created Project I Am, a group that helps the homeless. Project I Am helps other kids to become change agents. 

One kid who helps with Project I Am said, “Homeless people don’t have very many resources, so it’s important to give them stuff to help them.” 

Another kid who helps said, “It’s important to make these bags because it’s going to make people happy.”

In just a few years, Project I Am raised $550,000 for the unhoused, has helped over 135,000 people around the world, and has brought together over 2,000 youth to help those in need.

Jakil’s advice to other kids who want to start helping their community is that they don’t have to wait until they’re adults. They can do it right now. 

Sources: Active Community Leader: Jakhil Jackson and https://jahkil.com/ 

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how Jakhil showed compassion.

Write 1 sentence that explains how Jakhil’s compassion helped other people.

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/

unlock all lessons:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.