Lesson
2
:

Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

8

Understanding

Last Updated:

June 3, 2025

Unit 8, Lesson 2, “Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word understanding. Students will read a nonfiction text that shows how a real person demonstrated understanding. 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 and practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Read independently to support reading comprehension 
  • 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  
  • 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.1.3.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.1.1.G

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

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 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

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 A

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

Civic Character B

Apply and demonstrate 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 B1

Understand why it is important 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

  1. Write understanding on the board. 
  2. Ask students to spell understanding on their worksheets.
  3. Ask students what we learned about understanding from the last lesson.
  4. Play the video Positive Current: Gitanjali Rao by Google (~4 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. Have them answer the questions on their worksheets, in complete sentences.
  8. Have students share their sentences with a partner.
  9. Extension activity: Play the video: How to Choose a Solution to Build with Kid of the Year Gitanjali Rao by Technovation (~25 min)


GRADE 1 UNIT 8 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING UNDERSTANDING FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

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: 

_________________________________________________________________________

NONFICTION TEXT: GITANJALI’S UNDERSTANDING

When Gitanjali Rao was 11, she heard that lead had gone into the water in Flint, Michigan. If people drank the water, they would become sick. She wanted to help people test their water to make sure there was no lead in it. 

Gitanjali made a device she named Tethys, after the Greek goddess of fresh water. The device has an app that shows if the water is safe or not. Gitanjali has also used her understanding to create other things, including Kindly, an AI-based anti-cyberbullying service that aims to see and stop cyberbullying at an early stage. 

Sources: Gitanjali Rao personal website, Fast Forward: Gitanjali Rao

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how Gitanjali showed understanding.

Write 1 sentence that explains how Gitanjali’s understanding helped other people.

Write 1 sentence about how you can show understanding.

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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