Lesson
2
:

Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 3

UNIT

4

Curiosity

Last Updated:

June 3, 2025

In Unit 4, Lesson 2, “Learning Curiosity from a Nonfiction Text,” students will learn an example of curiosity from the life of a real person. By independently reading a nonfiction text, students will develop their reading comprehension skills. Finally, students will create sentences that demonstrate their reading comprehension and share their sentences with a partner.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Read a nonfiction text independently to develop reading comprehension skills
  • Demonstrate understanding of the main idea of a nonfiction text
  • 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

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:

  • Curiosity: I want to learn new things.

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

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.

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.

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.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.C

Decode multisyllable words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.3.D

Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.3.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

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.

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).

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.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1.D

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.6

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.C

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.3

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

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Intellectual Character A1

Describe why it is important for learners to be curious

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

Intellectual Character B1

Explain how a particular historical or contemporary person practiced curiosity

Intellectual Character B2

Provide evidence that he or she has intentionally worked to strengthen a particular intellectual skill (diligence, attention to detail, etc.)

Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

Civic Character A4

Explain why it is important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, globally

Civic Character B6

Describe how a role model volunteers and contributes to the common good

Social-Awareness A3

Recognize examples of stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice

LESSON PROCEDURE

  1. Play the video: Lewis Latimer: Black Inventor by Deeper Than Read (~6 min)
  2. Have students read the nonfiction text on the worksheet, quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students. 
  3. Have students write the answers to the worksheet questions.
  4. Have students share their answers with a partner.

GRADE 3 UNIT 4 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING CURIOSITY FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

Curiosity: I want to learn new things. 

NONFICTION TEXT: LEWIS LATIMER’S CURIOSITY

In 1848, Lewis Latimer was born to parents who had once been slaves. Growing up, Lewis faced many hard times due to anti-black racism, which means that people treated him badly because of the color of his skin. He enlisted in the Union Navy in 1864 at the age of 16. Lewis was very curious. He taught himself mechanical drawing and got a job at a patent law firm in Boston as a draftsman. 

Lewis’s curiosity led him to help with many important inventions, including the telephone and the light bulb. Lewis also created his own inventions including an early air conditioning unit and an improved railroad car bathroom. In total, the United States government awarded him patents for seven of his inventions. Lewis Latimer is a symbol of curiosity. He helped to promote education and equal rights for all people. 

Source: Lewis Latimer House Museum 

ACTIVITY:

  1. Lewis Latimer was very curious. Name three things his curiosity led him to invent. 

  1. Lewis became an inventor. What is one job that you might want to have when you grow up? Why might this job interest you?

  1. Why is it important to be curious? 

  1. Is it important for everyone to serve and contribute to their family, school, community, nation, and globally?

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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