Lesson
1
:

Learning Humanity from Literature

Grade

Grade 4

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 classic work of children’s literature. Students will also create their own 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 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 understanding of the word humanity
  • Demonstrate understanding of standard English sentence structure and grammar  
  • Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions

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.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

Intellectual Character B4

Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, facts, and information

Self-Awareness A3

Explain the ways in which you use and practice your personal strengths (e.g., your willingness to help others, your positivity)

Self-Awareness A4

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

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)

Social-Awareness A2

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

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)

Interpersonal/ Relationship Skills A3

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

LESSON PROCEDURE

  1. Ask students what humanity means.
  2. Give them 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.
  3. Today we will read a book that will help us to learn the character strength of humanity. It is about a boy and his father who come from Mexico to America.
  4. Ask students to find Mexico on a map or a globe.
  5. Ask students to draw a picture of Mexico on their worksheets.
  6. Ask students why people from Mexico and other countries come to the United States.
  7. Explain that average income per person in Mexico is $16,269 (USD), while the average income per person is $51,147 in the United States. However, the cost of living in Mexico is 39% cheaper than it is in the US. (Source: “Cost of Living in Mexico in 2024” published by Western Union)
  8. Read the book: La Frontera (English and Spanish Edition) by Alfredo Alva and Deborah Mills or 
  9. Play the video: Read aloud of La Frontera by Alice Birney (~15 min)
  10. Have the students complete the questions on their worksheets. 
  11. Have the students read their sentences to a partner.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES - SUGGESTIONS

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

GRADE 4 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: 

Draw a picture of Mexico:

  1. How did the main characters, Alfredo Alva and his father, show grit in their journey crossing over from Mexico into the United States?

  1. How did the children at school show humanity to Alfredo?

  1. What is one way that you can 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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