Perseverance by Dawn B

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned To Read

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:05:13 UTC

Mary Walker always wanted to learn how to read. But she was born a slave and, even after she was freed, her life was difficult. She was always working. She had no time to learn. Despite the awful hardships she endured Mary never gave up on her goal- to become literate. Age did not stop her. Nothing stopped her! And at the ripe age 116, Mary achieved her goal! The beautiful illustrations and heartfelt retelling of Mary's perseverance is inspiring. Though she was constantly challenged, those challenges only made her stronger and more determined.

Hubbard, R. (2020). The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read. Anne Schwartz Books.

On A Beam Of Light: A Story About Albert Einstein

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:07:25 UTC

Albert Einstein was different than the other kids in his class. He talked later than other children. He refused to wear socks, and he spent most of his time lost in his own imagination. Many of his classmates thought he was strange, and when Albert was young, it was hard to be different. In fact, most everyone wanted him to be the same as other people. Albert did not listen to those people- he chose to live his life the way he wanted to live it. He dressed the way he wanted to dress, and he daydreamed about the questions he wanted to answer. He persevered both in being true to himself and in the search for the answers to the mysteries he sought to understand. His perseverance in remaining true to himself is an inspiring as the potential his perseverance revealed.

Berne, J. (2013). On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein. Chronicle Books.

It Starts With A Seed

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:08:42 UTC

In life, we all start somewhere, and, usually, we start small. This is true of even of trees like the sycamore. Gorgeous illustrations and poetic text mimic the ever-growing rings inside a tree that mark time. The book recounts challenging times the tree endures, such as hard winters, and the beautiful springs when sunlight is plentiful. The message here is that, if we persevere through the hardships we encounter, we will grow and share our lives with others, just as the sycamore in this story grew and shared its life with the woodland creatures. This truth is not only true of ourselves, but of all the living things with whom we share this earth and the journey of life with.

Knowles, L. (2017). It Starts with a Seed. words & pictures.

Becoming A Good Creature

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:09:55 UTC

This book reminds us that humans are not the only animals on the earth that find ourselves struggling to persevere. It also shows us that, as individuals, if we persevere past what we are told we see, or told what we ought to believe, we might discover truths that we would never be aware of otherwise. For example, Sy Montgomery, whose life the book is about, observes the "often reviled hyena" (Montgomery, 2020) being incredibly tender and gentle to her offspring. This surprised her as those traits are not often talked about when people talk about hyenas. Sy's personal habits of seeing things for herself before she believes them, and of being open to learning from the world around her, allowed her to persevere to see past stereotypes. Sy does not measure success in material ways but measures it by being a good creature- one whose goodness is, in part, because she sees the goodness in others.

Montgomery, S. (2020). Becoming A Good Creature. Clarion Books.

Carl And The Meaning Of Life

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:10:57 UTC

As an earthworm, Carl spends his days tunnelling through the dirt. It's a satisfying life, until he is asked "Why?" (Freedman, 2019). This simple question both inspires and worries Carl, and he embarks on a quest- to ask other animals why they do the things they do. But that quest makes Carl doubt his own purpose. How can a small animal, such as he, who does such a seemingly small thing as a tunnel through the dirt, have a purpose in such a large and complex world? The beautiful illustrations and wonderful story of Carl the earthworm not only instructs on the importance of earthworms and the interconnectedness of life on earth but affirms that purpose and perseverance have nothing to do with size or the way society might judge importance. Carl -is- important, and through his determination to answer the question why, he finds this out for himself.

Freedman, D. (2019). Carl and the Meaning of Life. Viking Books for Young Readers.

A Different Pond

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:13:04 UTC

Caldecott Honor book A Different Pond describes a fishing trip that Bao Phi took with his father many years ago. Bao and his father were not fishing for recreation, they were fishing to feed his family, and the stakes could not be higher. During the trip, Bao's father tells his son about fishing in another pond in Vietnam. This is a quiet story about perseverance- the habit of waking up before first light to fish for food for the family, the habit of going to work when exhausted, and the realization that we are all a part of individual and collective histories of perseverance that extends before our time and will continue after we are gone.

Phi, B. (2017). A Different Pond. Capstone Young Reader

The Thing Lou Couldn't Do

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:13:57 UTC

Lou's friends like to climb trees, but Lou is afraid of climbing trees. In fact, she's never climbed a tree before, and she doesn't think she can do it! Because she is afraid, she comes up with reason after reason for why she shouldn't even try, including the excuse that she's too busy because she must walk her cat! When Lou does work up the courage to try to climb the tree, she fails in the attempt. But it is the effort that makes her stronger, not the outcome, and Lou learns that persevering through her fear is more important than actually climbing the tree.

Spires, A. (2017). The Thing Lou Couldn't Do. Kids Can Press.

Stacey's Extraordinary Words

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:15:03 UTC

Stacey loves words, and whenever she learns a new word she feels as though she's "made a new friend" (Abrams, 2017). She's so good with words that her teacher asks her to be a part of a spelling bee, but the other student that is also chosen to partake is a boy who makes fun of Stacey. Stacey must persevere through her anxiety to discover her courage and it is the journey itself and not the eventual outcome of the spelling bee through which she gains the greatest success.

Abrams, S. (2021). Stacey's Extraordinary Words. Belzer + Bray.

My Violin Is Not Broken?

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:17:11 UTC

Passion can inspire us to start something, or many things, but it is perseverance that keeps us going. In this story the Little Violin Girl yearns to play the violin beautifully- but, when she discovers that learning to play beautifully will take a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a lot of practice, she considers giving it all up. While quitting is the easiest option, and it takes a lot of effort to work through her feelings of disappointment and frustration, she learns that learning is about trying, and that trying (and trying again, and again) is the only way to get through the obstacles we face.

Grundy, E. (2022). My Violin is NOT Broken? Mintwood Press.

The Tree Lady

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:18:02 UTC

This book is a powerful example of how one person can persevere to make a memorable difference for countless people (and trees and all those who depend on trees). When Katherine Olivia Sessions moved to San Diego she was shocked by the lack of trees in the city. As she was the first woman to ever graduate from the University of California with a degree in Science in 1881, Olivia knew a little something about persevering in the face of great odds, and when she turned her attentions to researching what kinds of trees would thrive in San Diego, and to making it happen, her determination turned into Balboa Park. The legacy of her perseverance is the beauty of the park, which serves as a reminder of the power of believing in oneself.

Hopkins, H. (2013). The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever. Beach Lane Books.

Trying

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:18:56 UTC

New York Times best-selling author Kobi Yamada tells the gentle and soulful tale of a young boy who is visiting a sculptor's studio. When the boy sees the sculptors' beautiful creations, he, too, wants to be an artist. But it's not as simple as it looks, and the boy considers giving up before he has barely begun. When the sculptor, a true teacher, shows the boy the mistakes he has made in his own works, and explains that it is those mistakes that helped him learn to create the masterpieces the boy longs to create, we all learn a valuable lesson about the value of perseverance-Trying is a masterpiece in and of itself.

Yamada, K. (2020). Trying. Compendium.

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind: Young Readers Edition

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:19:52 UTC

In Malawi, William Kamkwamba's village suffered a drought. The drought destroyed the crops the people were counting on, and starvation threatened. Determined to do something to help, William began reading science books to try to find a solution. And he found one: a windmill. But how to even begin to build one? It seemed like too big a task to even consider attempting, and not even William's family believed it could be done. But when William's dog died of starvation, Williams family rallied around him and William determines to try. Persevering through incredible odds, he succeeds in building a windmill from scraps to harness the wind and save his village.

Kamkwamba, B., Mealer, B. (2017). The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind. Rocky Pond Books.

Knight Owl

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:20:40 UTC

Caldecott Honor winner and New York Times bestseller Knight Owl tells the tale of an owl who has big dreams -he wants to become a knight! Though he is small, and not as strong as the other knights, Owl's nocturnal ways make him able to fill a role in a way no one else can- he can guard the castle at night! By staying true to his own nature and persevering past the naysayers and the odds that are stacked against such a small raptor, the knightly owl finds he can achieve his dream by doing the one thing neither the other knights nor the opposing dragons thought possible- bring peace.

Denise, C. (2022). Knight Owl. Christy Ottaviano Books.

Fish In A Tree

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:21:45 UTC

Ally doesn't know how to read. Although she's in sixth grade, she's never been able to learn because she has dyslexia, a language-based learning disability she's used her intelligence to keep hidden from her family and teachers. Because her dad is in the military, she moves a lot, so she hasn't had a chance to make long term friends. She manages to hide her struggles by misbehaving, but, once they are discovered, she will have to persevere in more ways than one to make peace with her new reality.

Hunt Mullaly, L. (2017). Fish In A Tree. Nancy Paulsen Books.

Counting On Katherine

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:23:10 UTC

As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. As an adult, she was an integral part in saving the Apollo 13 astronauts. But, to reach her goal Katherine had to overcome both sexism and prejudice during the time of segregation to attain to one of the highest levels in a profession that was off limits to African Americans. Her passion and perseverance make her both a true pioneer in science and a hero.

Becker, H. (2018). Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13. Henry Holt & Co.

The Most Magnificent Thing

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:24:10 UTC

A girl with a vision sets out to build "the most magnificent thing" (Spires, 2013). This shouldn't be too hard because she has built some magnificent things before! This time she's even drawn diagrams and hired a capable assistant, her pet dog! But, for some reason, things do not go to plan and creating the most magnificent thing doesn't happen easily. Slowly, her frustration grows. And grows. And grows! In a fit of anger, she decides she will give up on her pursuit forever! Luckily, her assistant convinces her to take a step back and she listens to this sage advice. A walk clears her head, and she realizes she can work through her frustration. Deciding she will not give up and will, instead, look at the problem from a different point of view demonstrates a wonderful habit of perseverance- the ability to step back, cool off, and try again.

Spires. A. (2013). The Most Magnificent Thing. Kids Can Press.

Manjhi Moves A Mountain

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:25:13 UTC

Beginning in 1934, Dashrath Manjhi began a twenty-two-year journey to move a mountain. This true story tells the tale of an Indian man whose village was separated from another village. This other village contained schools, hospitals, and clean water. Determined to make it possible for the people in his village to have access to these life-changing assets, Manjhi carves, chisels, and hammers to begin the path to the other side of the mountain and when others see his work, they become inspired and join in too. Though it took twenty-two years to carve the path through the mountain, Manjhi lived to see this triumphant moment. His perseverance through what many saw as an insurmountable task and dedication to others is a testament to what perseverance can accomplish.

Churnin, N. (2017). Manjhi Moves a Mountain. Creston Books.

When I Was Eight

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:26:17 UTC

Olemaun, a young Inuit girl, leaves her home and her family to go to school and, most especially, to learn how to read. In school she is subjected to humiliation and ridicule from both classmates and teachers but, despite those hardships and more, she perseveres and refuses to give up her dreams. Though they try to strip her of her identity, and even her name, Olemaun perseveres. Her determination to remain true to her goal, and to hold on to the memories she treasures of the father who loved her, both sustains her and saves her. This book is an adaptation of the longer book Fatty Legs and is suitable for younger children.

Fenton-Jordy, C. (2013). When I Was Eight. Annick Press.

I Am Stuck

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:27:06 UTC

Poor Turtle is stuck. He's flipped over on his shell and can't seem to right himself. With each passing moment and attempt, Turtle becomes increasingly afraid and frustrated. His friends, who have come to help him, can’t think of the way to get him right-side up again either, but they help Turtle anyway just by being there with him! Sometimes, as Turtle learns, a change in perspective can renew our perseverance and sometimes a good friend can make everything better. To Turtles surprise, it's letting go of his frustration and laughing at the ridiculousness of his situation that gets him unstuck! At the end of the book strategies for handling frustration, from taking deep breaths to noticing surroundings, are explored.

Mills, J. (2023). I Am Stuck. Clarion Books.

Ricky The Rock That Couldn't Roll

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:28:09 UTC

All the rocks love rolling downhill but Ricky the rock can't roll because he's got one side that is flat. Ricky's friends are determined to help him, and they try and try again, with ever increasingly creative ways, to find a way for Ricky to roll. Their perseverance and Ricky's courage eventually brings about success. This whimsical book not only describes personal perseverance, but also the success that can come when we persevere together as a group.

Mr. Jay. Ricky, The Rock That Couldn't Roll. (2018). New Paige Press.

Sam And Dave Dig A Hole

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:29:09 UTC

What will happen when Sam and Dave dig a hole? What will they find? The potential opportunities their endeavors might yield seem endless to this pair of friends. But they don't seem to find anything! As readers, we see that the boys are only a few inches from a spectacular find when they give up and start digging in another direction. If they'd paid a little more attention to their surroundings, and to what their faithful dog was trying to tell them, they'd have had more luck. Or...were they lucky afterall? Was the journey of working together worth more than what they were looking for? How do we measure success? This 2015 Caldecott Honor book reveals that sometimes perseverance is its own reward.

Barnett, M. (2014). Sam And Dave Dig A Hole. Candlewick.

Pax

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:31:54 UTC

Peter rescued Pax the fox when Pax was only a small kit. Now, after being together for five years, they are forced to separate when Peter's father joins the war. Pax has never lived in the wild, and survival is hard. He longs for his human friend and worries about him. He doesn't travel far in the hopes they will meet again. Meanwhile, Peter, who is living 300 hundred miles away from Pax at his grandfather's home, cannot stop thinking about the friend he left behind. Just as Pax refuses to move on, and waits for him, Peter too perseveres by undertaking an arduous journey in the hopes of being reunited with his beloved friend. Their devotion to one another allows each of them to persevere through fear, heartache, and, ultimately, to find acceptance.

Pennypacker, S. (2019). Pax. Belzer + Bray.

Mel Fell

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:33:19 UTC

This Caldecott Honor Award winning book tells the delightful tale of Mel, the bird who fell when she took a leap of faith and tried to fly. Other animals worry for her, and try to come to her rescue, but Mel doesn't need rescuing! She must fall to fly, doesn't she? Determined, Mel perseveres to find a way to rescue herself. This creative flip book takes children along on Mel's adventurous journey in a creative way.

Tabor, C. (2021). Mel Fell. Belzer + Bray.

Perseverance: Essential Questions

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:37:32 UTC

Are there personal habits we can develop that will help us become people who persevere?

Does persevering in the face of challenges help us even when or if we fail?

Does the way a person measures success affect their ability to persevere?

Activity 1. Perserverance Strategies

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:44:18 UTC

After reading the book I Am Stuck by Julia Mills, the class will be broken up into small groups. Each group will come up with perseverance strategies such as Take a Deep Breath, or Count to Ten, or Walk Away for A While or Laugh Out Loud or Draw or Jump Up And Down In Place, etc. Then we will come together as a class and add our ideas to a chart that we will hang in our library. When one of us is feeling frustrated, we can refer to this chart to remind ourselves of the strategies we created together.

Chess Board. [Image]. Stock Images.

Activity 2. Group Perserverance

dawnserlyb — 2023-10-29 19:44:59 UTC

After reading the book Ricky the Rock That Couldn't Roll by Mr. Jay, we will brainstorm as a group. Students will be prompted to recall a time when they felt like Ricky or when they felt like one of Ricky's friends. How can we help each other when we see a friend is frustrated? Students will be broken into small groups and will each generate a small skit that demonstrates a character who is frustrated and how their friends try to help their friend. They will then act their skit out for the class.

Mr. Jay. (2018). Ricky The Rock That Couldn't Roll. New Paige Press.

Activity 3. For Middle Schoolers

dawnserlyb — 2023-11-14 23:15:50 UTC

Students will write about a time when they persevered to overcome a challenge. Was it learning to ride a bike? Mastering multiplication? Becoming adept at their favorite video game? How did they do it? What strategies did they rely on to ward off frustration? Can these strategies be applied to other areas in life when they are struggling? If they had to write a recipe for perseverance in the same way you'd write a recipe for how to cook a favorite meal, what would they put in this recipe? A dash of courage and a teaspoon of determination? A half of a cup of a deep breath? The class will be encouraged to be creative and to present their recipes in the form of their choice- through drawing, poetry, a short story, etc.

Open Recipe Book [Image]. Open-Source Images.

The Boy Who Carried Bricks

dawnserlyb — 2023-11-15 19:01:39 UTC

This tale of survival against all odds tells the true story of Alton Carter, a boy who grew up in the foster care system and later became a police officer. This is a raw and honest memoir and will require guidance from teachers and adults to help navigate some of the painful subject matters such as broken homes and extreme poverty, but the story is a tale of determination and perseverance. While the grade level is listed as 7-9, the reading level is listed as 10-13, and this book will certainly appeal to children in sixth grade who possess the emotional maturity to benefit from the story.

Carter, A. (2015). The Boy Who Carried Bricks. Roadrunner Press.

Watership Down: The Graphic Novel

dawnserlyb — 2023-11-15 20:35:09 UTC

The classic tale by Richard Adams has been gorgeously rendered into a graphic novel. The perseverance of the Sandleford Warren of rabbits through their long and dangerous journey to find a new home after theirs was destroyed is epic, inspiring, and timeless. This story reminds us that it is not only humans who must persevere, and that the true value of this trait cannot be measured in human terms.

Adams, R., Sturm, J., Sutphin, J. (2023). The Graphic Novel: Watership Down. Ten Speed Graphic.