Lesson
1
:

Learning Optimism from Literature

Grade

Grade 4

UNIT

1

Optimism

Last Updated:

June 7, 2025

In Unit 1, Lesson 1, “Learning Optimism from Literature,” students will learn examples of optimism from a contemporary work of children’s literature. Additionally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their comprehension of the word optimism. Finally, students will practice their reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Listen to a read aloud to improve understanding of English sentence structure and comprehension 
  • Ask and answer questions to understand the meaning of a text 
  • Determine the central message, lesson, or moral of a story and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the word optimism 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • Engage effectively in collaborative discussions

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

VOCABULARY:

  • Optimism: I have hope and believe that my actions will help things to turn out well

ELA COMMON CORE STANDARDS MET

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1

Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.2

Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3

Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.10

By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.4.3

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.4.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.4.4.A

Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9

Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9.A

Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions].").

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.B

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.D

Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.1.F

Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.A

Use correct capitalization.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.2.D

Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.3.A

Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.

CHARACTER AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL (CSED) NATIONAL STANDARDS MET

Moral Character A4

Offer examples of caring and compassionate behaviors (at home, in school, in the community)

Moral Character B4

Provide an example of a friend or role model who demonstrates caring and compassion

Self-Awareness A1

Identify and name different emotions (e.g., positive emotions, negative emotions, intense emotions)

Social-Awareness A1

Use “I-statements” to let others know that you have heard them

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)

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

  1. Ask students what optimism means.
  2. Give students the definition: I have hope and believe my actions will help things turn out well.
  3. Read the book An Angel for Solomon Singer by Cynthia Rylant or
  4. Play the video: Read aloud of An Angel for Solomon Singer by Pachion Carlson (~5 min)
  5. Ask students to complete the questions on their worksheets. 
  6. Have students read their sentences to a partner.
  7. Class activity: Have students imagine that the class opens a restaurant where they all work and show optimism to everyone. Have students draw or paint a mural of the restaurant. Have each student write a sentence about how their restaurant can promote optimism.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

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

GRADE 4 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 1: LEARNING OPTIMISM FROM LITERATURE

Optimism: I have hope and believe my actions will help things turn out well.

ACTIVITY: 

  1. Who are the main characters in this story and what did you learn from them?

  1. How did the Angel show empathy to Solomon Singer (the ability to understand and care about others’ feelings)?

  1. What is the story’s message about optimism?

  1. What in this story could be an ethical principle (a rule for doing good) that everyone in the world could follow all the time?

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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