Lesson
2
:

Learning Courage from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 2

UNIT

5

Courage

Last Updated:

June 3, 2025

Unit 5, Lesson 1, “Learning Courage from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word courage. Students will learn examples of courage from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will write their own sentences about courage. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing their sentences with classmates.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Practice reading aloud to a partner to support reading comprehension 
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word courage 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:

  • Courage: I do what I think is right even when I am afraid.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.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.RI.2.2

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

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.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.2.6

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.B

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

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.A

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.C

Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.D

Decode words with common prefixes and suffixes.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.E

Identify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences.

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.RF.2.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.B

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.C

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

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.SL.2.2

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

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.2.3

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

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.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Moral Character A

Know, understand, and practice the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative

Moral Character B

Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of honesty and integrity, caring and compassion, gratitude, and the courage to take initiative

Civic Character A

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

Civic Character B

Apply and demonstrate the character strengths of fairness, respect, volunteering and contributing to the common good

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 continue to learn about courage.

  1. Without providing any information, show students the image in this NY Post article about Ruby Bridges.
  2. Ask the students what they see in this photograph.
  3. Ask the students what they wonder about in this photograph.
  4. Explain that this is a photo of Ruby Bridges. Today we will be learning her story in her own words.
  5. Read the book I Am Ruby Bridges by Ruby Bridges and/or 
  6. Play the video: Read aloud of I Am Ruby Bridges by Miss Alivia Reads (~7 min)
  7. Ask students how Ruby showed courage.
  8. Have students answer the questions on the worksheet. 
  9. Have students take turns sharing their sentences with a partner and reading aloud.

GRADE 2 UNIT 5 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING COURAGE FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

Courage: I do what I think is right even when I am afraid.  

ACTIVITY: 

Write 1 sentence that explains how Ruby showed courage:

How do you think Ruby’s courage made a difference for other kids? 

What is one way that you can show courage?

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/

unlock all lessons:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.