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Lauren Dooley

I chose the book Blizzard by John Rocco. In the story, a huge snowstorm traps a neighborhood under deep snow. After several days, the families begin to run out of food. A young boy decides to take action and walk through the deep snow to the store while stopping along the way to help his neighbors. Although he becomes tired during the journey, he perseveres and ultimately accomplishes his goal.

Learning Objective:
Students will be able to identify and explain how the main character demonstrates grit and perseverance in the story. Students will discuss how the boy created a plan and worked toward achieving his goal.

Rationale:

The picture book Blizzard by John Rocco illustrates the concept of grit through the main character’s determination during a severe snowstorm. When the community becomes snowed in and begins to run out of food, the boy creates snowshoes from tennis rackets and travels through deep snow to reach the store. Despite the difficulty and danger of the journey, he continues until he succeeds and helps provide food for his family and neighbors.

This story helps students understand that grit involves persistence, problem-solving, and continuing to work toward a goal even when challenges arise. Using this text allows students to see a concrete example of perseverance and encourages them to think about how determination and effort can help overcome obstacles in their own lives.

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I chose The Dot by Peter H Reynolds. This picture book tells the story of a little girl who believes she can not draw. Her teacher encourages her to "make a mark, and see where it takes you." The little girl angrily makes a small dot on the paper, but her teacher proudly displays it. This act inspires her to keep experimenting with dots in different sizes, colors, and styles. Over time, she gains confidence in her creativity.

Learning Objective:

Students will be able to identify and explain how the character in The Dot demonstrates grit by continuing to try even when a task becomes difficult. At the conclusion of the lesson, students will describe at least one example of perseverance from the story and connect it to a personal experience where they never gave up even when they faced challenges.

Rationale:

This story provides teachers with a meaningful way to introduce the concept of grit and growth mindset to students at a young age. Throughout the story, encouragement and repeated effort help the main character gain confidence and continue creating. The story helps students see how their abilities and skills can continue to grow if they are willing to put in the work and never give up. Teaching grit to students using this story helps students relate and connect to the character's experience. Discussing as a group the characters' actions as well as reflecting on experiences in their own life, students will understand that mistakes and challenges are part of the learning process.

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Magical Little Minds - Read Along Storytime

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I chose the book, Jabari Jumps, by Gaia Cornwall. The book is about a young boy named Jabari who wants to jump off the high diving board at the pool. He confidently sets a goal but feels nervous when he reaches the top. With encouragement and patience, Jabari works through his hesitation and ultimately takes the leap. The story highlights the idea that perseverance and emotional courage are part of reaching meaningful goals.

Learning Objective: Students will be able to identify examples of perseverance and grit in the story and explain how sustained effort and emotional courage help Jabari achieve his goal. Students will also describe how setting goals and working through challenges are important parts of growth.

Rationale: This book explores the connection between perseverance, goal setting, and emotional resilience. Jabari dreams of jumping from the high board but must face fear and uncertainty before succeeding. His journey demonstrates that long-term goals often require patience and repeated effort. By seeing Jabari work through his hesitation, students learn that perseverance is not just about success but about continuing to try. The story provides a relatable example of grit that supports social-emotional learning and discussions about courage and persistence.

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Magical Little Minds - Read Along Storytime

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JABARI JUMPS 📚 Kids Books Read Aloud Story

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Picture Book: Flight School by Lita Judge

I chose Flight School by Lita Judge. The story follows a small penguin with big dreams of learning to fly, despite the limitations of his species. Through humor and heart, the book explores themes of perseverance, optimism, and believing in oneself.

Learning Objective:

Students will identify how the main character demonstrates grit by continuing to work toward a goal despite challenges and setbacks. Students will discuss how perseverance and determination help people reach long-term goals and reflect on how they can apply grit in their own learning.

Rationale:

Flight School illustrates the concept of grit through the character Penguin, who dreams of flying even though penguins are not meant to fly. Despite repeated failures during flight school, Penguin refuses to give up on his goal. Instead, he keeps trying and eventually finds another creative way to achieve his dream.

This story helps students understand that perseverance is important when working toward long-term goals. It shows that obstacles and failures are part of the learning process and that determination can lead to success in unexpected ways. Using this book in the classroom encourages students to stay motivated, keep trying when tasks are difficult, and develop the grit needed to overcome challenges.

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I chose The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. This book tells the story of a hard working little girl and her dog who (through trial and error) create the most magnificent thing!

Learning Objective: Students will be able to identify times in which the little girl could have given up and what she did instead of quitting. Students will be able to identify how the little girl displays a growth mindset in these particular parts of the story.

Rationale: This story truly showcases the importance of never giving up and the highs and lows that come with creating something new or unique to yourself. The little girls emotions fluctuate throughout the story showcasing that a growth mindset is needed, even when times are tough and an activity seems too difficult to complete.

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📐The Most Magnificent Thing (Read Aloud books for children) | STEM Science Education

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I would choose the book "Perseverance is my Superpower" by Alicia Ortego. This is a book about learning how to swim and setting long range goals of potentially being a champion through perseverance. Lucas dreams of being a champion swimmer one day and learns the challenges to attaining that goal. Only by using his new superpower, Perseverance does Lucas begin to take the journey to champion swimmer.

Learning Objective:

Students will be able to identify examples of perseverance and how over time perseverance leads to success. Themes of goal setting and achievement are also discussed within the context of the story.

Rationale:

This book explores the connection between perseverance, goal setting and success. Lucas learns that only through perseverance can he achieve his dream so Lucas equates perseverance with a superpower that he possesses. This superpower gives him hope that he will one day achieve his goals.

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Perseverance is my Superpower | Read Aloud by Reading Pioneers Academy

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The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle           Amy Compton

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The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle           Amy Compton

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I would choose the book The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle.

This picture book tells the story of a small seed that travels through various challenges before growing into a beautiful flower. It illustrates the life cycle of plants and teaches valuable lessons about resilience, adaptation, and the beauty of nature. Wonderful choice for a whole class discussion or ‘Turn & Talk’ -  “How did the seed keep trying even when things were hard? Use ‘try’ or ‘keep going’ in your sentence.”

Learning Objective: Students will be able to describe the life cycle of a plant using simple sequence words (first, next, last), explain two ways a seed shows ‘grit’ by surviving challenges in the story, and draw or arrange pictures to show the seed’s journey from seed to flower.

Rationale: The 'Tiny Seed' shows that small things can succeed by being persistent — grit means trying again even when something is hard.

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The Tiny Seed – 🌻 A read aloud of Eric Carle's classic book!

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I would choose the book ”Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion” by Shannon Stocker. This is the true story of the world's first full-time solo percussionist who overcomes deafness to feel and play music.

Learning Objective:

Students will be able to describe what "grit" means and identify at least three examples of grit from the book and explain how those examples show persistence, practice, or problem-solving in their own words. They will then connect one example to something they could try when they face a challenge.

Rationale:

This book is a great example of how grit, passion, and perseverance can lead to success in the face of adversity. There are problems Evelyn faces and she not only needs persistence to pursue her dreams, but also learn new ways to approach the problems she faces in order to be successful.

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I would use the book Brave Irene by William Steig.

Learning Objective: Students will be able to identify three ways Irene shows grit during her journey and connect one example to a time they needed to keep trying when something was difficult.

Rationale: Students will learn that everyone can develop grit by staying focused on what matters most to them. You can develop grit by using problem solving and self-talk.