Lessons

Grade 2

Lesson

Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text

Lesson

Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 2

UNIT

•

Curiosity

Last Updated:

June 5, 2025

Unit 4, Lesson 2, “Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word curiosity. Students will learn examples of curiosity 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.

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SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Practice reading independently to support reading comprehension
Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word curiosity
Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar
Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

1 balloon for each student
Video: The Sticky Balloon Trick by SciShowKids (~1 min)
Video: 15 Year-Old Kelvin Doe Wows MIT by THNKR (~10 min)
Prohuman Grade 2 Unit 4 Worksheet 2: Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text

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VOCABULARY:

Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

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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.RI.2.2

Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.4

Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6

Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.B

Read grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.

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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.C

Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.

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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.RF.2.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.B

Read grade-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.C

Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary

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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.SL.2.2

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

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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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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Intellectual Character A

Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking

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Intellectual Character A1

Describe what it means to be curious

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Intellectual Character A3

Recognize different approaches to problem-solving

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Intellectual Character B

Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of curiosity, carefulness, intellectual autonomy and humility, open-mindedness, and critical thinking

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Intellectual Character B1

Demonstrate genuine curiosity related to learning something new

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Civic Character A

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

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Civic Character B1

Demonstrate the ability to share, take turns and follow rules (of a game, at home or school)

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Civic Character B2

Demonstrate the ability to be respectful, courteous and polite

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Self-Management 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 A

Demonstrate the ability to empathize and take the perspective of others, including demonstrating awareness of cultural differences and respect for human dignity

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Social-Awareness A3

Demonstrate the ability to listen carefully and intentionally to others

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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 continue to learn about curiosity.

One thing that many people have been curious about throughout history is electricity.
Ask students: What is electricity?
Give the definition: a form of energy that comes from charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current.
Let’s create static electricity. Give each student a balloon and have them blow them up. Help them tie the balloons.
First, have the students try to make the balloons stick to the wall and ask them what happens.
Second, have students rub the balloons on their shirts, gently and quickly, for 20 seconds, then stick them to the wall.
Ask the students: Why do they think the balloons stick to the wall after rubbing them on their shirts?
Explain that when you rub a balloon against your clothing and then stick it to a wall, it's a demonstration of static electricity. The rubbing transfers electrons, making the balloon negatively charged, which then attracts to the wall's positive charges.
Play the video: The Sticky Balloon Trick by SciShowKids (~1 min)
Today we will learn about an amazing kid who was curious about electricity. He was interested in how batteries make electricity. While static electricity and batteries both involve electricity, they work differently. As we just learned, static electricity is a buildup of charge due to an imbalance, not a stored energy source. Batteries store chemical energy that is converted into electrical energy.
Let’s learn about how Kelvin learned how to make batteries and other things.
Play the video: 15 Year-Old Kelvin Doe Wows MIT by THNKR (~10 min)
Have students read the nonfiction text on their worksheets independently, quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students.
After giving the students 10 minutes to practice reading, then read the text aloud to the class.
Ask students how Kelvin showed curiosity.
Have students answer the questions on the worksheet.
Have students take turns sharing their sentences with a partner.

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GRADE 2 UNIT 4 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING CURIOSITY FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

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Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

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NONFICTION TEXT: KELVIN’S CURIOSITY

Kelvin Doe is from Africa. He was born in a country called Sierra Leone. Kelvin wanted to become a scientist to help people in his country. When he was eleven, he started teaching himself engineering. He was curious about how to make batteries. He searched trash cans for spare or broken parts. After several tries, he made his own batteries by wrapping acid, soda, and metal in tape. He used these batteries to power lights in people’s homes. He also made generators using only things he picked up around the house or in the trash.

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In 2012, Kelvin created a radio station for his community. He did this by making a homemade FM transmitter from parts he found in the trash. A transmitter makes radio waves from an antenna and uses them to send and receive data. Kelvin broadcasted the news and played music under the name DJ Focus.

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In 2012, Kelvin became the youngest person in history to be invited to the Visiting Practitioner's Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At age 20, he founded his startup, KDoe-Tech, and the Kelvin Doe Foundation that helps kids use their curiosity to make new things.

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Sources:

https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/archive/kelvin-doe-wows-mit-2012

https://aasd.umd.edu/undergraduate/unsung-hero-kelvin-doe

https://www.caglobalint.com/post/kelvin-doe-self-taught-engineering-whiz-from-sierra-leone-1/

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ACTIVITY:

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Write 1 sentence that explains how Kelvin showed curiosity:

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How do you think Kelvin’s curiosity and engineering work helps others?

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