Lesson
1
:

Learning Grit from Literature

Grade

Grade 2

UNIT

2

Grit

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 2, Lesson 1, “Learning Grit from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word grit. Students will learn examples of grit from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word grit and their understanding of what it means to be a volunteer to help one’s community. 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
  • Practice reading aloud to a partner to support reading comprehension 
  • Spell, define, and give an example of grit
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word grit 
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word volunteer
  • 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:

        Grit: I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don't give up.

        Volunteer: A person who freely helps others.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3

Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5

Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.7

Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.10

By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2-3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.A

Distinguish long and short vowels when reading regularly spelled one-syllable words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.C

Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.D

Decode words with common prefixes and suffixes.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.E

Identify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.F

Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.A

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.2

Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.3

Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.A

Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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)

Civic Character A

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

Civic Character A4

Describe what it means to be a volunteer (at home, school, in the community)

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

Civic Character B2

Demonstrate the ability to be respectful, courteous and polite

Civic Character B4

Share with family, teachers and friends the ways in which you volunteer at home, school, and in the community

Self-Awareness A2

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

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)

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will learn about grit and about being a volunteer. 

  1. Write grit on the board and ask students to write the word grit on their worksheets. 
  2. Read the definition of grit. 
  3. Write the word volunteer on the board and ask students to write the word volunteer on their worksheet.
  4. Read the definition of volunteer.  
  5. Read Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans by Phil Bildner and/or play the 
  6. Video: Read aloud of Marvelous Cornelius by Vooks (~8 min).
  7. Ask students how Cornelius in the story showed grit.
  8. Ask students how Cornelius was a volunteer. 
  9. Have students complete their worksheets, and tell them we will do a fun activity if they complete all the questions. 
  10. Have students read their sentences to a partner.
  11. Activity: Let’s do an activity where we will show grit. In the book we read, Cornelius was a garbage collector who showed grit. Set up an empty garbage can and have each student take turns attempting to toss their bean bag or child-safe tennis ball into the garbage can.
  12. Ask the students how they showed grit in this activity.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

  • Talk with your students about times that you have seen examples of people demonstrating grit. You could give examples of family, friends, and/or historical or current public figures.
  • Talk with your students about times in your life when you have demonstrated grit, despite hardships.

GRADE 2 UNIT 2 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING GRIT FROM LITERATURE

Grit: I keep trying to reach my goals even when it is hard. I don’t give up.

Volunteer: A person who freely helps others.

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how Cornelius showed grit.

Write 1 sentence that explains a time when you showed grit.

Write 1 sentence that explains how Cornelius worked as a volunteer to help his community.

Write 1 sentence that explains how you have been a volunteer to help your school or community, or how you would like to be a volunteer to help your school or community in the future.

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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