Lesson
2
:

Learning Optimism from a Nonfiction Text

Grade

Grade 1

UNIT

1

Optimism

Last Updated:

June 3, 2025

Unit 1, Lesson 2, “Learning Optimism from a Nonfiction Text,” reinforces the vocabulary word optimism. Students will learn an example of optimism from the life of a real person. Additionally, students will practice their reading comprehension skills by reading alone and hearing a reading from the teacher. Finally, students will create their own sentences that demonstrate their reading comprehension.

SUGGESTED TIME:

20 minutes

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  • Practice reading aloud to support reading comprehension 
  • Spell, define, and give an example of optimism
  • Compose 2 sentences that demonstrate comprehension of the word optimism 
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • Practice reading and conversation skills by sharing sentences with classmates

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.RF.1.1

Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1.A

Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.3

Know and apply grade-level phonics and word

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4

Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4.B

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.4.C

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2

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

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.B

Use end punctuation for sentences.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.E

Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.4

Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.1.10

With prompting and support, read informational texts appropriately complex for grade

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1

Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.A

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.1.C

Ask questions to clear up any confusion about the topics and texts under discussion.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.6

Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation

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 A5

Understand why caring and being concerned for the well-being of others is a character strength

Moral Character B

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

Self-Management A3

Explain the different ways people respond to problems and challenges (e.g., ask for help, try harder, learn from mistakes)

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)

Civic Character A

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

LESSON PROCEDURE

Today we will continue to learn about optimism.

  1. Write optimism on the board. 
  2. Ask students to spell optimism on their worksheets.
  3. Ask students what we learned about optimism from the last lesson.
  4. Play the video: Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (~2 min).
  5. Have students read the nonfiction text independently, quietly to themselves. Circle the room to support the students.
  6. After giving the students 10 minutes to practice reading, then read the text aloud to the whole class.
  7. Have students write the answers to the worksheet questions.
  8. After students write the answers to the worksheet questions, have them take turns reading their sentences aloud to a partner. Circle the room to support students.
  9. Ask students to share one sentence from their partner’s worksheet with the class, explaining how it shows optimism.

Extension Activity: Organize a class lemonade stand to raise money for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

GRADE 1 UNIT 1 WORKSHEET 2: LEARNING OPTIMISM FROM A NONFICTION TEXT

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

Write the word optimism: 

_________________________________________________________________________

NONFICTION TEXT: ALEX’S LEMONADE STAND

When Alex Scott was a baby, she got sick. She had a disease called cancer. Doctors helped her feel better. She had hope about the future. She wanted to help other kids. When she was four years old, she told her mom that she wanted to start a lemonade stand to raise money. She would give the money to doctors. She said, “I want the doctors to help other kids, like they helped me.” 

She held her first lemonade stand and raised two thousand dollars. Alex and her family held many lemonade stands to help kids with cancer. People from all over the world, moved by her story, held their own lemonade stands and gave the money to Alex and her cause. After four years, Alex raised one million dollars. Alex’s family keeps raising money to help kids with cancer through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

Source: https://www.alexslemonade.org/about/meet-alex 

ACTIVITY: 

Write a sentence that explains how Alex showed optimism.

Write a sentence that explains how Alex’s optimism helped others.

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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