Lessons

Grade 2

Lesson

Learning Gratitude from Literature

Lesson

Learning Gratitude from Literature

Grade

Grade 2

UNIT

•

Gratitude

Last Updated:

May 26, 2025

Unit 3, Lesson 1, “Learning Gratitude from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word gratitude. Students will learn examples of gratitude from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word gratitude. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

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SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

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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 gratitude
Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word gratitude
Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar in writing and speaking
Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Book: I Am Thankful: A Positive Power Story by Suzy Capozzi and/or
Video: Read aloud of I Am Thankful by Storyville Kids (~5 min)
Prohuman Grade 2 Unit 3 Worksheet 1: Learning Gratitude from Literature

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VOCABULARY:

Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.

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ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.1

Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.A

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.C

Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.D

Decode words with common prefixes and suffixes.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.E

Identify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.F

Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

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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.

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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).

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.1

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.3

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

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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.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.A

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

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8

Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Moral Character A6

Understand what gratitude is (the ability to recognize and express appreciation) and why practicing gratitude is a character strength

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Moral Character B4

Share an example of when you practiced gratitude as a character strength

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Self-Awareness A2

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

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Social-Awareness A3

Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes)

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Social-Awareness A6

Be able to tell stories and listen to stories told by others

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 1

Initiate and engage in conversation and social interactions with classmates, peers, and adults

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills 7

Play games and appropriately participate in small group classroom activities

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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)

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LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will learn about gratitude.

Write gratitude on the board.
Read the book I Am Thankful: A Positive Power Story by Suzy Capozzi or play the video Read aloud of I Am Thankful by Storyville Kids (~5 min)
Ask students how the characters in the story showed gratitude.
Have students complete their worksheets.
Have students read their sentences to a partner.
Have students complete the 30-day gratitude challenge worksheet for a special prize or extra credit.

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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

Talk with your students about times that you have seen examples of people demonstrating gratitude. 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 gratitude, despite hardships.

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GRADE 2 UNIT 3 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING GRATITUDE FROM LITERATURE

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Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.

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ACTIVITY:

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Write 1 sentence that explains how the characters in the book showed gratitude:

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Trace your hand and write five things you are thankful for on each finger.

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30-DAY GRATITUDE CHALLENGE

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Day 1 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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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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