Brave Voices Lesson Plan Grade 2 • Reading Comprehension & SEL
Standing Up to Bullies: Character Feelings & Impact
Text by Ashley Kazery • Lexile 540L • Level L • 45-60 Minutes
Focus Concept
"How" & "Why" Feelings Change
Lesson Objective
Students will identify how and why characters' feelings change from beginning to end, and explain how Marcus's brave action positively impacted his friends and stopped the bullying behavior.
Standards
RL.2.1: Ask & answer who, what, where, when, why, how.RL.2.3: Describe how characters respond to major events.RL.2.7: Use illustrations & text to understand feelings.
Key Target Vocabulary & Emotion Clues
Hesitated (v.)
Paused due to feeling nervous or uncertain.
Peered (v.)
Looked closely/carefully out the window.
Recognize (v.)
To know something familiar (his strong voice).
Stand Up (v.)
Defending oneself & friends with words.
1 Warm-Up & Hook (8 Mins) • Setting the Emotional Stage
Whole Group
Teacher Hook: Show the cover page. "Look closely at Marcus's and Ned's faces on the swings. How do you think they feel? Why might someone feel nervous to go out to recess?"
Introduce Focus Question: "What problem do the boys have, and how is it solved? Today we will be emotion detectives tracking how Marcus's feelings change and why his bravery changes the playground."
2 Read-Aloud & Character Emotion Modeling (15 Mins)
I Do / We Do
Beginning (pp. 3-5): Model identifying Marcus's feeling (hesitant/nervous ). Ask: "Why was Marcus hesitating at the door? What happened last week that caused this feeling?" (Bullies stole kickball, tied jump ropes, pushed Ned).
Middle (pp. 6-9): Read Hitch & Evan taking the swings. Ask: "How did Malik and Ned react when Hitch barked at them?" (They backed off, feeling intimidated). "How did Marcus feel when he saw the bullies laughing on the swings?" (Angry and determined).
Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Lesson Plan • Ashley Kazery Text Study Page 1 of 2
Guided Practice & Text-Dependent Questioning
Standing Up to Bullies • Pages 10-16
Character Feeling & Impact Progression (Anchor Concept)
Story Stage Marcus's Feeling Why He Felt This Way Impact on Others Beginning (pp. 3-6) Worried & Hesitant Bullies stole kickball and pushed Ned last week. Ned & Malik were playing quietly in fear. Turning Point (pp. 7-10) Angry & Determined Hitch and Evan jerked swing and laughed; he had enough. Marcus spoke in a loud, firm voice: "No, Hitch!" Resolution (pp. 11-12) Brave, Calm & Tall He stood his ground without yelling or fighting. Hitch was surprised, took a step back, and walked away. Ending (pp. 13-15) Proud & Relieved His friends got to swing and Ms. Lewis praised him. Malik gave a high-five; friends felt safe and happy.
Core "How" & "Why" Discussion Script (We Do)
Q1: How does Marcus use his voice?
"He speaks in a strong, firm voice that he didn't even recognize, saying words clearly instead of fighting." (p. 10)
Q2: Why do Hitch and Evan walk away?
"They are surprised that Marcus stood up tall and didn't back down like before. They make an excuse to play kickball." (p. 12)
Q3: How did Marcus's actions impact his friends?
"Malik ran over and high-fived him, and Ned felt excited to swing high. They could play peacefully." (p. 13)
Q4: Why was Ms. Lewis proud of Marcus?
"He showed courage by defending both himself and his friends calmly and safely." (p. 14)
Support / Scaffolding (Tier 2 / ELL)
• Use the Vocabulary & Emotion Anchor Chart visual icons to anchor feeling words.
• Provide sentence frames: "Marcus felt _____ because _____."
• Partner students for paired text-evidence hunting before answering exit ticket.
Extension & Deep Thinking
• Perspective Shift: Ask "Why do you think Hitch and Evan were picking on kids in the first place?"
• Bystander vs. Upstander: Compare Ned/Malik backing off to Marcus standing tall.
• Write a dialogue continuation between Marcus and Hitch.
Formative Assessment Check
Administer the Courage Check Exit Ticket (10 Visual Multiple Choice + 1 Written Response). Target mastery: 8/10 multiple choice correct and a complete 2-part causal sentence on the written response.
Grade 2 Reading Comprehension Lesson Plan • Ashley Kazery Text Study Page 2 of 2
Emotion Word Anchor Chart Grade 2 Reading & Feeling Detective Guide
🧠 Emotion Words & Vocabulary Clues 🌟
Use this chart to discover HOW characters feel and WHY their feelings change!
Story Vocabulary Bank (What Words Mean)
hesitated ⏳
Paused before doing something
"Marcus hesitated at the door because he felt nervous." (p. 5)
peered 👀
Looked closely or carefully
"Ms. Lewis peered out the window to watch Marcus." (p. 11)
recognize 🗣️
To know something familiar
"He heard a strong voice he didn't even recognize." (p. 10)
stand up 🛡️
To defend yourself or others
"It was very brave to stand up for your friends." (p. 14)
proud ⭐
Feeling good about doing the right thing
"You should be proud of yourself." (p. 14)
recess 🎪
A fun break to play outside
"Glad to hang out with friends during recess." (p. 13)
Marcus's Emotion Journey: HOW & WHY
😟 Worried Beginning (p. 3-5)
WHY: Bullies pushed Ned and stole balls last week.
😠 Angry Middle (p. 7-9)
WHY: Hitch stopped the swing and laughed rudely.
🦁 Brave & Firm Climax (p. 10-12)
WHY: He used a strong, clear voice: "No, Hitch!"
😊 Proud & Glad Ending (p. 13-15)
WHY: His friends got to play safely and his teacher praised him.
Sentence Starters for Readers (How & Why)
Explaining HOW someone feels:
"Marcus showed he was feeling [emotion] when he [action / face clue]."
Explaining WHY feelings change:
"His feelings changed from [feeling 1] to [feeling 2] because [story event]."
Grade 2 Reading Anchor Chart • Standing Up to Bullies Brave Voices Series
Courage Check Exit Ticket Standing Up to Bullies • Grade 2 Comprehension
Courage Check Exit Ticket
Name:
Date:
Directions: Read each question about how and why feelings change. Fill in the bubble (○) next to the best answer.
Part A: Questions 1–5
1. [WHY] Why did Marcus hesitate at the door before going out to recess?
A 😟 He was worried because bullies caused trouble last week.
B 😴 He was sleepy and wanted to take a nap at his desk.
C 🌧️ He stayed inside because it was raining cold water.
2. [HOW] How did the bullies make Marcus and his friends feel last week?
A 😊 Happy because they shared their kickball nicely.
B 😢 Upset because they stole balls and pushed Ned off the swing.
C 🥳 Excited because everyone was playing together as a team.
3. [HOW] How did Hitch act when he walked up behind Marcus at the swings?
A 🤝 He asked politely, "May I please take a turn now?"
B 😠 He crossed his arms and barked, "It’s my turn!"
C 🏃 He ignored the swings and ran over to the slide.
4. [WHY] Why did Malik and Ned back off when Hitch and Evan came over?
A 😨 They felt scared and wanted to avoid getting pushed again.
B 🥪 They heard the lunch whistle and went inside to eat.
C ✨ They wanted Hitch and Evan to have the best swings.
5. [HOW] How did Marcus's feelings change when he saw the bullies laughing?
A 😴 He became sleepy and gave up on playing outside.
B 😠 Anger rose in his chest and he thought, "I've had enough."
C 😂 He found the bullies funny and laughed along with them.
Standing Up to Bullies • Courage Check Page 1 of 2 (Turn over for Questions 6–10 & Written Response)
Part A (Continued): Questions 6–10 Student Assessment
6. [HOW] How did Marcus speak when he stood up to Hitch?
A 🤫 He whispered so quietly that Hitch could not hear him.
B 🗣️ He used a strong, firm voice that he didn't even recognize.
C 😭 He began crying and ran to find an adult.
7. [WHY] Why did Hitch take a step back and decide to leave the swings?
A 😲 He was surprised because Marcus stood tall and did not back down.
B 🎒 He remembered he forgot his homework in the classroom.
C 🌧️ He saw dark rain clouds and went to get his umbrella.
8. [HOW] How did Marcus's brave action impact his friend Malik?
A 😡 Malik felt angry and ran to the soccer field alone.
Courage Check Answer Key Teacher Reference & Grading Guide
Courage Check Answer Key & Rubric
Text: Standing Up to Bullies • Grade 2 Comprehension
Total Points: 14 Pts
10 MC (1 pt ea) + 4 pt Writing
Part A: Multiple Choice Answer Key (10 Questions)
1. Why Marcus hesitated A (Worried)
Evidence: p. 4 (Bullies caused problems last week).
2. How bullies made them feel B (Upset)
Evidence: p. 4 (Stole kickball, pushed Ned).
3. How Hitch acted B (Crossed arms)
Evidence: p. 7-8 (Barked "It’s my turn").
4. Why friends backed off A (Scared)
Evidence: p. 9 (Ned and Malik backed off).
5. How feelings changed B (Anger rose)
Evidence: p. 9-10 ("That’s it... I’ve had enough").
6. How Marcus spoke B (Strong voice)
Evidence: p. 10 (Voice he didn't even recognize).
7. Why Hitch walked away A (Surprised)
Evidence: p. 12 (Looked in surprise, took step back).
8. Impact on Malik B (High-fived)
Evidence: p. 13 (Ran over and high-fived Marcus).
9. Why Ms. Lewis was proud B (Brave stand)
Evidence: p. 14 ("Very brave to stand up").
10. How Marcus felt at desk A (Smiled quietly)
Evidence: p. 15 (Marcus smiled quietly to himself).
Part B: 4-Point Written Response Scoring Guide
4 - Exemplary
Identifies both feeling shifts (worried $\to$ proud) and accurately explains both text reasons using story vocabulary.
3 - Proficient
Identifies how feelings changed and gives at least 1 accurate "why" reason connected to standing up to Hitch.
2 - Developing
Mentions feelings (happy/sad) but gives incomplete or vague reasons without clear story details.
1 - Beginning
Off-topic, incomplete sentence, or inaccurate recall of character events.
Exemplar Student Response (Score 4):
"At first, Marcus felt worried and hesitant because the bullies stole their kickball and pushed Ned last week. Later, he felt proud and happy because he used a strong voice to stand up to Hitch, and his friends got to swing safely!"
Key Elements: Identifies initial feeling (worried/hesitant) + reason (past bullying) + final feeling (proud/happy) + reason (standing up / friends playing safely).
Teacher Guide & Answer Key • Standing Up to Bullies Page 1 of 1
