Lessons

Grade 3

Lesson

Learning Gratitude from Literature

Lesson

Learning Gratitude from Literature

Grade

Grade 3

UNIT

•

Gratitude

Last Updated:

June 3, 2025

Unit 3, Lesson 1, “Learning Gratitude from Literature,” reinforces the vocabulary word gratitude. Students will learn examples of gratitude from a classic work of children’s literature. Students will also create their own sentences demonstrating their comprehension of the word gratitude. Finally, students will practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

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SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

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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 gratitude
Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word gratitude
Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar in writing and speaking
Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

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REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Book: Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco from the website of Orange Public Schools in Orange, NJ and/or
Video: Read aloud of Thank You, Mr. Falker from I LOVE this book, with Mrs. Doyle (~13 min)
Prohuman Grade 3 Unit 3 Worksheet 1: Learning Gratitude from Literature

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VOCABULARY:

Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.
Empathy: I understand the emotions, needs, and feelings of others

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ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.1

Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.2

Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.10

By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/ social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 2-3 text complexity band independently and proficiently.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.C

Decode multisyllable words.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.D

Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.B

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.3.1.C

Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.D

Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3

Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.6

Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.B

Form and use regular and irregular plural nouns.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.C

Use abstract nouns (e.g., childhood).

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

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CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3

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

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CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

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Moral Character A5

Offer examples of when you expressed gratitude to another person

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Moral Character B5

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates gratitude

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Intellectual Character A2

Understand the skills (being prepared, focused effort, diligent practice, attention to detail, etc.) that enable someone to acquire or polish a skill

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Intellectual Character A3

Recognize that making mistakes is an unavoidable part of learning (“failing forward”)

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Civic Character B2

Describe how a role model exemplifies respect

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Self-Awareness A1

Understand and explain why different situations may set in motion or give rise to different emotions (e.g., learning something new or difficult, meeting someone new)

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Self-Management A3

Identify people, places and resources who can help you when you are having difficulty managing your thoughts and emotions (e.g., parents, family members, teachers)

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Social-Awareness A2

Describe how a person will likely feel when being bullied or left out of an activity or group

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Social-Awareness A4

Explain a time when you put yourself in “someone else’s shoes” in order to understand their perspective and point of view

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A3

Understand and recognize the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., honesty, compromising, sharing, encouragement)

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A4

Understand and recognize the characteristics of unhealthy relationships (e.g., hostility, intimidation, hitting)

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A5

Identify a problem in a relationship and seek appropriate assistance from an adult

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Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A9

Recognize and communicate to a trusted adult, any harmful individual and group behaviors

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LESSON PROCEDURE

Write gratitude on the board.
Ask students what gratitude means.
Give the definition: We are thankful for many things, big and small.
Ask students what empathy means.
Give the definition: We understand the emotions, needs, and feelings of others.
Activity: Take a gratitude walk around the school and/or outside, and have students write down 5 things they are grateful for.
Read the book Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco from the website of Orange Public Schools in Orange, NJ or
Play the video: Read aloud of Thank You, Mr. Falker from I LOVE this book, with Mrs. Doyle (~13 min)
Ask students to answer the questions on their worksheets.
Ask students to read their answers to a partner.
Discuss the 30-day gratitude challenge.

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EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

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

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GRADE 3 UNIT 3 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING GRATITUDE FROM LITERATURE

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Gratitude: I am thankful for many things, big and small.

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Empathy: I understand the emotions, needs, and feelings of others.

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ACTIVITY:

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Write 1 sentence that explains what Trisha struggled with:

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Trisha was bullied. How did Mr. Falker show empathy to Trisha?

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Write 1 sentence that explains who you can ask for help if you are being bullied or if you have a hard time with your thoughts and emotions:

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Write 1 sentence that explains how the main character in the book showed gratitude:

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Write 1 sentence that explains a time when you showed gratitude:

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EXTRA CREDIT:

Each day, for the next 30 days, write something for which you are grateful. It should be something different each day. There is a place for you to write on the next page.

30-DAY GRATITUDE CHALLENGE

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Day 1 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Day 2 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Day 3 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Day 30 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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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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