Learning Curiosity from Literature
Grade
Grade 2
UNIT
4
•
Curiosity
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.
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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:
- Book: The Three Questions (Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) by John J. Muth and/or
- Video: Read aloud of The Three Questions by Anne Jahnke (~6 min)
- Prohuman Grade 2 Unit 4 Worksheet 1: Learning Curiosity from Literature
VOCABULARY:
- Curiosity: I want to learn new things.
ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET
CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET
LESSON PROCEDURE
Today we will learn about curiosity.
- Write curiosity on the board.
- Ask students what curiosity means.
- Give students the definition of curiosity: we want to learn and understand new things.
- Without giving any information, show students this painting, Helping Hands by James Clarke Hook.
- Ask the students: What is happening in this picture?
- Ask the students: What are they curious about?
- Give students the context: This painting was done in 1865 by the English artist James Clarke Hook, and it is called Helping Hands.
- Read the book The Three Questions (Based on a story by Leo Tolstoy) by John J. Muth or play the video.
- Video: Read aloud of The Three Questions by Anne Jahnke (~6 min)
- Ask students about the structure—the beginning, middle, and end.
- Ask the students how Nikolai showed curiosity.
- Have students complete their worksheets.
- Have students read their sentences to a partner.
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.
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