Lesson
1
:

Learning Understanding from Literature

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

8

Understanding

Last Updated:

May 26, 2025

Unit 8, Lesson 1, “Learning Understanding from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word understanding. Students will learn the examples of understanding by comparing a classic and contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word understanding. 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
  • Spell, define, and give an example of understanding
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word 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:

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.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.1.1

Ask and answer questions about key details in a text.

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 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.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.1.2

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

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

Civic Character A1

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

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)

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 understanding. 

  1. Write understanding on the board. 
  2. Ask students to spell understanding on their worksheets.
  3. Explain that understanding means that we seek knowledge and try to learn the truth. We think about other people’s views that might be different from ours.
  4. Explain that the way we see things depends on our point of view. 
  5. Show students the second image on this website: https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/brain/optical-illusions-and-how-they-work/selecting 
  6. Ask how many students see a duck.
  7. Ask how many students see a rabbit. 
  8. Explain that depending on what you look at, you see it differently. This works for stories too. Stories can be told from different perspectives, which changes the story. 
  9. Read the book Goldilocks and the Three Bears by Jan Brett or play the video Read aloud of Goldilocks and the Three Bears by My Cozy Corner (~8 min)
  10. Read the book: Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks! The Story of the Three Bears as Told by Baby Bear by Nancy Loewen or play the video Read aloud of Believe Me, Goldilocks Rocks! by Learning Tree T.V. (~7 min)
  11. Ask students how the book shows a new understanding of the classic story Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 
  12. Have students answer the questions on their worksheets, using complete sentences. 
  13. Ask students to write one sentence on their worksheet that explains a time when they showed understanding.
  14. 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 understanding. 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 understanding, despite hardships.

GRADE 1 UNIT 8 WORKSHEET 1: 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: 

Whose point of view is story 2 told from?

What do we learn in story 2 that we didn’t know in story 1?

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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