Learning Gratitude from a Nonfiction Text
Grade
Grade 2
UNIT
3
•
Gratitude
Unit 3, Lesson 2, “Learning Gratitude from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word gratitude. Students will learn examples of gratitude from a nonfiction text. 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.

SUGGESTED TIME:
20 minutes
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Practice reading independently to support reading comprehension
- Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word gratitude
- Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar
- Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
- Video: George Mason students build 3D-printed prosthetic bow arm for 10-year-old violinist by the Washington Post (~2 min)
- Prohuman Grade 2 Unit 3 Worksheet 2: Learning Gratitude from a Nonfiction Text
VOCABULARY:
Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.
Prosthetic: an artificial body part.
ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET
CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET
LESSON PROCEDURE
Today we will continue to learn about gratitude.
- Play the video: George Mason students build 3D-printed prosthetic bow arm for 10-year-old violinist by the Washington Post (~2 min)
- Have students read the nonfiction text on their worksheet independently, quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students.
- After giving the students 10 minutes to practice reading, read the text aloud to the class.
- Ask students how Isabella showed gratitude.
- Have students answer the questions on the worksheet.
- Have students take turns sharing their sentences with a partner.
GRADE 2 UNIT 3 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING GRATITUDE FROM A NONFICTION TEXT
Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.
Prosthetic: an artificial body part.
NONFICTION TEXT: ISABELLA’S GRATITUDE
Isabella Nicola Cabrera was born with no left hand and a severely deformed forearm. When she was in fourth grade, Isabella wanted to learn the violin, and she didn’t let her disability stop her.
A music teacher at her school, Mr. Baldwin, built her a prosthetic arm, which means an artificial body part, but it was too heavy and didn’t allow the full range of motion needed to play the violin. Mr. Baldwin wrote his alma mater, which means the college he graduated from, and a group of students wanted to create a new prosthetic for Isabella.
A team of five students worked with a music professor at George Mason University. They used 3-D printing technology to design and create a custom prosthetic bow arm for Isabella called the VioArm. The VioArm weighs less than 12 ounces and is made of plastic. The arm holds Isabella’s bow, and she uses muscles in her shortened forearm and shoulder to move it.
Isabella expressed gratitude to the team who helped make her prosthetic arm. "I feel very blessed that I have this amazing group of people," she said.
Sources: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/04/21/thanks-to-a-failed-senior-project-a-violinist-is-born
ACTIVITY:
Write 1 sentence that explains how Isabella showed gratitude:
How do you think Isabella’s commitment to playing the violin with her prosthetic arm might help other kids?
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/