Lesson
1
:

Learning Curiosity from Literature

Grade

Grade 2

UNIT

4

Curiosity

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 4, Lesson 1, “Learning Curiosity from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word curiosity. Students will learn an example of curiosity from a contemporary adaptation of a classic literary work. Additionally, students will write their own questions. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing their questions 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 curiosity
  • Compose 3 questions about things that they want to know 
  • 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:

  • Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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.

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.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.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.2.4

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.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.8

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

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Moral Character A5

Understand why caring and being concerned for the well-being of others is a character strength

Intellectual Character A1

Describe what it means to be curious

Intellectual Character B1

Demonstrate genuine curiosity related to learning something new

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 curiosity. 

  1. Write curiosity on the board. 
  2. Ask students what curiosity means.
  3. Give students the definition of curiosity: we want to learn and understand new things.
  4. Without giving any information, show students this painting, Helping Hands by James Clarke Hook.
  5. Ask the students: What is happening in this picture?
  6. Ask the students: What are they curious about? 
  7. Give students the context: This painting was done in 1865 by the English artist James Clarke Hook, and it is called Helping Hands.
  8. Read the book The Three Questions (Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) by John J. Muth or play the video.
  9. Video: Read aloud of The Three Questions by Anne Jahnke (~6 min)
  10. Ask students about the structure—the beginning, middle, and end. 
  11. Ask the students how Nikolai showed curiosity.
  12. Have students complete their worksheets.
  13. Have students read their sentences to a partner.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

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

GRADE 2 UNIT 4 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING CURIOSITY FROM LITERATURE

Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

ACTIVITY: 

Write a complete sentence that explains the three things about which Nikolai was curious.


Write three questions for which you would like to find the answers: 

1.

2.

3.  

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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