Growing a Growth Mindset: Unlocking Character Strengths through Children’s Literature provides teachers with an innovative approach to teaching children the positive psychology constructs that underlie self-belief, goal motivation, and happiness. Through selected children’s books, the book brings to life the latest research and strategies for developing growth mindset (attribution), hope, grit, character strengths, and happiness. Each of these positive psychology constructs is explored through a set of three picture book classics that makes the research understandable to even the youngest learner. The National Council for Social Studies inquiry approach drives each book-driven analysis of the selected stories. This inquiry-based approach is organized around a compelling question and provides a complete outline, including formative and summative questions and assessments, as well as extensions that share this vital learning with parents. Lessons in this book have been created by outstanding teachers and have been field tested in classrooms across the region with extraordinary results. Contents: Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Part I: Introduction: The Why, How and Where of Positive Psychology for Kids Chapter 1: The Why: Teaching Children To Fail Well in a Trophy Culture Chapter 2: The How: Lessons of Positive Psychology That You Can Teach Tomorrow Chapter 3: The Where: Curriculum Connections that Bring Common Core and NCSS C3 Standards to Life Part II: Children’s Literature Lessons that Teach Growth Mindset and Unlocking Student Strengths Sections IIA: Growing The Growth Mindset: Learning to Fail Well Chapter 4: Building a Growth Mindset: The Secret of Failing Well Book: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein Lesson Author: Kevin Sheehan Chapter 5: Foundation for a Fixed Mindset: The Danger of Naturals Book: Noel the First by Kate McMullen Lesson Author: Kathleen Sokolowski Chapter 6: Threats to a Growth Mindset: The Peril of Performance Goals Book: Too Perfect by Trudy Ludwig Lesson Authors: Kathleen Blake and Anthony Marino Sections IIB: Building Hope: The Power of Hope to Create Your Best Future Chapter 7: Hope Creators: The Power of Others Book: Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beatty and David Roberts Lesson Author: Jessica Ryan Chapter 8: Hope Crushers: Rediscovering Lost Hope Book: Emily’s Art by Peter Catalanotto Lesson Author: Danielle Rosenberg Chapter 9: Maintaining Hope: Finding Your Best Self Book: Stand Tall Mary Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and David Catrow Lesson Author: Elizabeth Bavaro Sections IIC: Cultivating Grit: Passion and Perseverance for Long Term Goals Chapter 10: The Roots of Grit: Deliberate Practice Over Natural Ability Book: Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan Lesson Author: Annmarie Pagano and Breanna Podmore Chapter 11: Sticking with It: Grit Perseverance for Long Term Goals Book: Iggy Peck. Architect by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts Lesson Author: Monica Zenyuh Chapter 12: Sustaining Grit: The Power of Passion for a Goal Book: No You Can’t, Yes I Can by Justin Allen and Antoinette Cauley Lesson Authors: Dan and Jessica Keegan Sections IID: Unlocking Strengths: Discovering and Nurturing Natural Talents Chapter 13: Spotting Strengths: Strength Finding Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees Lesson Author: Amy Curry Chapter 14: Unleashing Strengths: Using Strengths to Discover the Best You Book: Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi and Tim Bowers Lesson Author: Megan Pavlick Chapter 15: Synergy: The Power of Combining Your Strengths With Others Book: Going Places by Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. Reynolds Lesson Author: Angela Abend Sections IIE: Finding Happiness: Unlocking the Secrets of Happiness Chapter 16: Discovering the Secret of Happiness: Doing for Others Book: How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer Lesson Author: Faith Tripp Chapter 17: Finding Happiness in Your Life: The Power of Savoring Book: The Wise Woman and her Secret by Eve Merriam and Linda Graves Chapter Author: Ed Kemnitzer Chapter 18: Choosing Happiness: The Power of Optimism Book: It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr Lesson Authors: Kelly Marzocchi, Caitlin Verity, and Megan Votk Part III Creating Cultures of Character Chapter 19: Building Culture: This Book is the Beginning Not the End Chapter 20: Deeper Knowledge: Resources for Learning More About Mindset, Hope, Grit, Strengths, & Happiness Appendix A: Lessons From the Field -Jessica Ryan References About the Authors Reviews: Educators will find this book a valuable resource in their efforts to promote in students growth mindset, emotional resiliency, hope, and grit—all of which play a crucial role in helping children cope, thrive, and succeed in school and beyond. — Trudy Ludwig, children’s advocate and bestselling author Thanks to Growing a Growth Mindset, I feel as though I've been given a real gift! I now have an exceptional resource to use for teaching social-emotional skills like growth mindset, happiness, grit, and identifying natural talents. The resources and activities that Sheehan and Ryan suggest will make my students eagerly anticipate these lessons and beg for more! — Paul Solarz, 5th grade teacher and author," Learn Like a Pirate" I feel privileged and honored that Sheehan and Ryan have chosen to utilize the message of following your passions in life despite what obstacles stand in your way within Growing a Growth Mindset: Unlocking Character Strengths Through Children’s Literature. I am excited that this message has been incorporated into a curriculum that I feel could have a tremendous impact on educators, parents, and students. — Justin Allen, professional basketball player and author, “No You Can’t, Yes I Can” With the increased focus on common core standards and standardized testing, concepts embedded in positive psychology such as grit, character, and hope have too often been ignored in discourse on education. Witnessing the price paid by students for this, educators are increasingly coming to embrace these powerful factors in student learning. This book fills a significant gap in the literature and offers concrete strategies teachers and parents can take to “spread ripples of hope” in our schools and in our communities. — Danielle Gately, Jericho Middle School Principal and EdCampLI Co-Founder All those who work with children seek inspiration and creativity from whatever source may be available. Kevin and Jessica’s inspiring stories of grit, perseverance, and courage allow parents and teachers to convey a precious gift to the world’s future leaders, the power of hope. — Brian L. Conboy, superintendent, Seaford School District The lessons on positive psychology impacted my child by letting her take ownership of her feelings. She heard stories of hope and perseverance from others that made her think and ask questions when she came home. She was able to internalize that if she tried really hard and dedicated herself to something she wasn’t good at, she would eventually succeed. She knew that this success wasn’t going to be instantaneous and that it would be gradual, but when she saw the results of her hard work as a grade on a paper, she was so proud of herself. I really enjoyed the assignments that involved parental input. It allowed me to share stories about my challenges and experiences that I wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to share with her. I think that doing assignments like these brings a deeper closeness to the parent and child; it provides a better understanding of where a parent is coming from when they give words of encouragement or advice based on their past experiences. — Lisa Hoffman, classroom parent & Waverly Park PTA President About the Authors: Kevin Sheehan is a tenured associate professor at Molloy College, where he has served on the faculty for over a decade. Molloy College recognized Kevin with its Faculty Leadership Award for his work with children of poverty, and the New York State Council for Social Studies awarded Kevin the Distinguished Social Studies Educator Award for his efforts in preparing social studies teachers in 2009. Jessica Ryan has worked as an elementary teacher in Lynbrook School District and an adjunct professor at Molloy College. In 2012, she was recognized as the Mathematics Teacher of the Year by the Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association and named the 2013 Teacher of the Year by the 9/11 Tribute Center.
|