Lesson
2
:

Learning Fairness from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

7

Fairness

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 7, Lesson 2, “Learning Fairness from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word fairness. Students will read a nonfiction text that shows how a real person demonstrated fairness. 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 and share their sentences with a classmate.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Practice reading aloud to develop reading comprehension skills
  • Spell, define, and give an example of fairness
  • Compose 3 sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word fairness 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

  • A piece of blank paper for each student 
  • Crayons or markers for each student
  • Tape for each student to tape up their poster 
  • Video: Jaylen’s Challenge - News Segment by Jaylen’s Challenge (~2 min)
  • Prohuman Grade 1 Unit 7 Worksheet 2: Learning Fairness from a Nonfiction Text

VOCABULARY:

  • Fairness: I treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, I bring them in.

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.RL.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.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 com

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

Civic Character A

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

Civic Character A1

Understand why it is important to share, take turns, and follow rules (of a game, at home or school)

Civic Character A2

Explain why it is important for everyone to be respectful, courteous and polite

Civic Character A3

Explain what it means to follow the “Golden Rule”

Civic Character B

Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good

Civic Character B1

Demonstrate the ability to share, take turns and follow rules (of a game, at home or school)

Civic Character B2

Demonstrate the ability to be respectful, courteous and polite

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 A2

Demonstrate the ability to care about how others are feeling

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 4

Identify and practice appropriate behaviors to maintain positive relationships (e.g., sharing, helping, saying something nice)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 5

Recognize and practice the skills to prevent, manage, and constructively resolve interpersonal conflicts (e.g., cool off, affirm, forgive, thank)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 6

Learn to resolve conflicts without hitting, throwing a tantrum, or using hurtful language

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 continue to learn about fairness.

  1. Write fairness on the board. 
  2. Ask students to spell fairness on their worksheets.
  3. Ask students what we learned about fairness last time.
  4. Play the video Jaylen’s Challenge (~2 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, read the worksheet text aloud to the whole class.
  7. Ask students to complete their worksheets.
  8. Have students take turns sharing their sentences with a partner.
  9. Activity: Show the students Jaylen’s posters about why it is important to stop bullying at school. Have students each make a poster by drawing a picture that shows kids being nice to each other. Write choices of words they can write at the top on the board for them to copy on their posters such as: 

    Be Nice at School
    Be Kind at School
    Make Friends at School
    We Care About Our Friends
    School is a Place for Friends
    School is a Place of Kindness

When students are finished, take them on a (quiet) walk through the school and have them choose a place to tape their posters.


GRADE 1 UNIT 7 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING FAIRNESS FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

Fairness: I treat everyone the same. If someone has been left out, I bring them in.

Write the word fairness: 

_________________________________________________________________________

NONFICTION TEXT: JAYLEN’S FAIRNESS

Jaylen Arnold is a differently abled kid who was bullied by other kids. Being bullied, or bullying, means that one person seeks to hurt another person. Jaylen didn’t let bullying stop him. He wanted to fight back with words, rather than with fists or name-calling. Jaylen is changing the world through his challenge. He wants everyone to treat each other with fairness and put an end to bullying.

When Jaylen was eight years old, he created a group called Jaylen’s Challenge to help teach kids that bullying other kids is wrong. Jaylen tours the country speaking to kids and spreading the message: “Bullying: No way!” He helps kids to understand that it is very important to treat everyone with fairness and to never bully anyone.

Source: Jaylen’s Challenge website: https://www.jaylenschallenge.org/ 

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how Jaylen showed fairness.

Write 1 sentence that explains how Jaylen’s fairness helped other people.

What does it mean to follow the “Golden Rule”? 

Write 1 sentence about how you can show fairness.

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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