Lesson
1
:

Learning Humanity from Literature

Grade

Grade 3

UNIT

9

Humanity

Last Updated:

June 3, 2025

In Unit 9, Lesson 1, “Learning Humanity from Literature,” students will learn examples of humanity from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Students will also write sentences demonstrating their comprehension of the word humanity. Finally, students will practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

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 humanity
  • Compose sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word humanity 
  • 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:

VOCABULARY:

Humanity: I see that every person is special. People are more alike than unalike. We all need to work together to make our lives better.

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.RL.3.2

Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3

Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.10

Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events

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.3.2

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 B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A2

Recognize the needs of others and how those needs may differ from your own

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A7

Give and receive constructive feedback to classmates and peers

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

Social-Awareness A5

Explain what empathy means (e.g., the ability to sympathetically understand and personally identify with the emotional states, needs and feelings of others)

LESSON PROCEDURE

  1. Write humanity on the board. 
  2. Ask students what humanity means.
  3. Give students the definition: I see that every person is special. People are more alike than unalike. We all need to work together to make our lives better.
  4. Read the book A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz or
  5. Play the video: Read aloud of A Ticket Around the World by Mr. Lohn, the McGinn School Librarian (~12 min — start at 1:21)
  6. As a class, locate each of the countries visited in the book on your map or globe. 
  7. Ask students: Which one is the closest to our country? Which one is the farthest? 
  8. Ask students to answer the questions on their worksheet.
  9. Ask students to read their answers to a partner.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

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

GRADE 3 UNIT 9 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING HUMANITY FROM LITERATURE

Humanity: I see that every person is special. People are more alike than unalike. We all need to work together to make our lives better. 

ACTIVITY: 

  1. What are the countries visited in the book?

  1. What do you think is the most interesting country in the book and why?

  1. What did you learn about humanity from this book? 

  1. Why is it important to show humanity? 

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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