What Makes Someone a Hero

 

Social Studies: School & Family Life

• Grade: 2

Heroes are people who do something brave, unusual, or important. Heroes are men and women who take risks. They make a positive difference in the world.

Some heroes lived long ago. George Washington was the first president of the United States. Some heroes did great things recently. Sally Ride was an astronaut and an educator, and the first American woman to go into space.

Some of the greatest heroes did not just do remarkable things that made them famous. In their everyday lives, they behaved in ways that made people admire their character. Character is a group of qualities that make up who a person is. Heroes are often people with great character.

Many people with great character are honest. Honest people tell the truth, even when it is hard to do.

Someone with great character may also be compassionate. A compassionate person cares about others and works to help them.

A person with great character may also be responsible. Responsible people do things they promised to do. Other people can depend on them.

Heroes can combine great actions with great character. Now think: Do you have a hero?

Comprehension Questions

1.

What kind of difference do heroes make in the world? 

1. a small difference 
2. a negative difference 
3. a positive difference 

2.

This article lists two heroes. One of them is George Washington. Who is the other? 

1. Dolly Madison 
2. Sally Ride 
3. Martha Washington 

3.

Read this paragraph from the article.

"Heroes are people who do something brave, unusual, or important. Heroes are men and women who take risks. They make a positive difference in the world."

What can be concluded from this paragraph about doing something brave?

1. Women are more likely to do something brave than men are. 
2. Doing something brave is the same thing as doing something unusual. 
3. Doing something brave makes a difference in the world. 

4.

Based on the information in this article, what is a quality that people admire in others? 

1. honesty 
2. beauty 
3. shyness 

5.

What is the main idea of this article? 

1. Heroes are people who make a positive difference in the world through their actions. 
2. Sally Ride was an astronaut, an educator, and the first American woman to go into space. 
3. Honesty, compassion, and responsibility are some of the qualilties that can make up a person's character. 

6.

Read these paragraphs from the article.

Many people with great character are honest. Honest people tell the truth, even when it is hard to do.

Someone with great character may also be compassionate. A compassionate person cares about others and works to help them.

Which word does the author use to show readers how the second paragraph connects to the first paragraph?

1. also 
2. be 
3. great 

7.

Read these sentences from the text.

"Heroes are men and women who take risks. They make a positive difference in the world."

Whom does the word "they" refer to here?

1. heroes 
2. women 
3. men 

8.

According to the article, what do responsible people do? 

(written answer)

9.

What can heroes combine great actions with? 

(written answer)

10.

What is more important to being a hero: great actions or great character? Support your answer with evidence from the article. 

(written answer)