Perseverance
January's WB Character Trait of the Month!
Start the month by talking about Perseverance with your child. What does that word mean to them? Where have they seen the word or seen it in action before? To make sure everyone is speaking a common language, share this definition with them:
Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist best known for his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. King persevered through many hardships in order to draw attention to how Black people were treated unfairly and to work towards freedom and equal rights for all people. He not only spoke around the country, but he also marched, protested, and even broke the law to show how certain laws were unfair. Because of the work he and many others did, some laws were changed to be more fair for all people.
Why is it important to never stop moving towards your goal?
What’s one small thing you can do today to work towards your goal?
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was a freedom fighter who escaped from slavery, then helped hundreds of others do the same. She worked incredibly hard to lead people to freedom on the underground railroad, taught people why slavery was wrong, and was even a spy in a war to help end slavery. Harriet practiced Perseverance by never giving up on her dream to free others, even when it was difficult or scary.
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a Jewish German physicist who persevered through many challenging experiments to develop his theory of relativity – one of the most important ideas in science. In the 1930’s, the German government said Jewish professors could not teach in universities and others burned Einstein’s books. He persevered by escaping Germany, giving speeches to teach others about the injustice in Germany, and advocating for the rights of Jewish people.
What helps you stick with a problem even if it’s confusing or difficult?
What’s a problem or challenge that you’re currently working on? What’s one way you will help yourself stick with solving this problem?
Lessons on Grit
Watch: Funny Llama Drama (1:31)
- Talk about what the Llama is facing. What is the Llama’s goal? What gets in the way?
- Have you ever felt like the Llama? In what way?
- How does the Llama work through this situation even though there are obstacles in the way? Did the Llama have other options?
Bruno Mars Don’t Give Up (1:57)
Bruno Mars and the Sesame Street gang sing about a bunch of things that might discourage us, but they encourage us to persevere and to not give up.
Activity: The Name Game (10-15 minutes)
Sit in a circle on the floor. Have a class discussion about how encouragement can help others reach their goals. As a class, brainstorm an encouraging adjective to describe each classmate that begins with the same letter as his/her name (example: Brave Ben, Respectful Rochelle, Artistic Adam, etc.). Practice going around the circle and naming each student with their new nickname.
Teacher Tip: Use this activity during language arts and have your students make an ABC list of adjectives to use as a brainstorming list prior to coming up with nicknames
The Tortoise And The Hare (3:58)
Encourage your students to run in place while they sing along to this musical version of the age-old fable of The Tortoise And The Hare.
Fight Song by Rachel Platten (3:25)
Use this echo song to not only breathe and stretch, but also imagine and practice being brave.
Human Knot
Form small groups of 8-10 people. To create a human knot, have students stand in a circle. Then have them reach across to hold hands with two different people in the circle while making sure it’s not the person next to them. Each left hand should hold a left hand, and each right hand a right. The goal of the activity is for the students to safely and gently untangle themselves without letting go of the hands they are holding.The students should be ready to bend, twist, and move in any way that is required to untangle the human knot. Students may need to duck under the hands of other players, step over a pair of hands, or do similar moves to untangle the knot. Students will have to work together to “untie” their arms and push themselves to think creatively, communicate with the group, and persevere through the challenges along the way. In some cases, the students may have done their job of knotting together too well and may not be able to unravel their knot, in which case, they can break apart and try again (and talk about how they persevered up until that point!)
Show the Death Crawl (5:37) from the movie “Facing The Giants.”
Share that, in this clip, a star football player is challenged by his coach to do his very best – blindfolded so that he can’t see the finish line. In a large group, ask for 2-3 volunteers to talk about a time when they felt like they were blindfolded or simply couldn’t go on. What was that experience like? How did it end up?
Break students into pairs and invite them to share about a “giant” that they face. What is something that they are afraid of or don’t think that they have the stamina to do? Who is their coach? Who could they ask to be someone who pushes them and keeps them on track with their goals? What is their plan to help them go the distance? How can humor help you face your giants?
If space allows, give the Death Crawl a try. Maybe rebrand it as “the Perseverance Pull.” How far can your students carry a classmate who is their size or smaller on their back?
Balloon Bouquet
Give students a blank sheet of paper and ask them to draw some balloons (or a pre-printed coloring sheet of a bouquet of balloons).
Invite them to slowly and intentionally color the balloons as they think about letting go of the negative thoughts and things that get in their way and that try to keep them from persevering through the tough times.
As they color, encourage them to repeat a mindfulness mantra like, “I am valued and valuable” or, “I think I can, I know I can” while practicing balloon breathing.
Imagine your belly is a balloon; as you breathe in, notice the balloon getting bigger. As you breathe out, notice the balloon getting smaller.
Scenarios
Scenario One
Khalil has finished the first draft of a graphic novel. After using creativity to plot the story, draw the pictures, and add dialogue, Khalil’s teacher says, “You are off to a great start – and you can make it even better!” What advice would you give Khalil about how to persevere and revise the novel to make it even more high quality?
Scenario Two
Joshua is struggling to pass his timed multiplication test. Feeling like he’ll be stuck on that level forever, he writes on the back of his test, “I stink at math. I’ll never pass this one.” What does Joshua need? How could you help Joshua persevere through this hurdle?
Scenario Three
Anna signed up to join the volleyball team, but after a few practices she still can’t serve the ball over the net. Anna doesn’t have any confidence in her skills and wants to quit the team. What should she do?
Scenario Four
Aaliyah wants to dance, but was told by her family that they don’t have time to go to dance classes. Some kids around school have laughed at her when she’s tried in front of them to learn some moves. She feels frustrated and embarrassed, but really wants to learn. What could she say to herself? To others? What would be one next step to persevere.
On and Off
Deep breathing and mindfulness are great tools to use when we feel frustrated or like we want to give up.
Try this exercise called “On and Off ” to practice relaxing your body
Watch the video: Joy Story (4:00)
How did the heron show Perseverance?
How about the dog?
How does the teamwork they showed connect to Perseverance
K-2 Perseverance Reading List
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
The main character in the story is working on a project. She has her plan in mind, but it is not working out the way she wants it to! Watch what happens as she uses Perseverance to finish her project.
A Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned! Read along to see how mistakes can be turned into masterpieces.
Flight School by Lita Judge
A persevering little penguin is determined to fly like all the other birds, so he joins a flight school. Throughout the book, he never gives up. With a little technical support, he finally is able to fulfill his dream of flying!
The Water Princess by Susan Verde
In a small African village, clean drinking water isn’t available so Princess Gie Gie makes the long journey to the well. Instead of wearing a crown on her head, Gie Gie wears a heavy pot to collect water in. Many people, including Gie Gie, walk for miles each day to collect clean drinking water, which shows Perseverance and determination! This book also sheds light on the struggle that continues all over the world today, instilling hope for a future when all children will have access to clean drinking water.
Leo The Late Bloomer by Robert Kraus
Little Leo is having trouble doing anything right, but his mom knows that it’s just because he’s a late bloomer. Will watching for signs of blooming help him bloom any more quickly?
Dream Big, Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi
Ice-skating Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi scores a gold medal with this story about a waddling pig named Poppy who has a big, BIG dream to be a star. But will she have what it takes even when it’s not as easy as it looks, to slide and glide her way to queen of the ice?
Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty
Enjoy this vibrant, uplifting story about the power of art, finding your voice, and telling your story even when you don’t fit in.
3-4 Perseverance Reading List
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian is left alone in the wilderness after surviving a plane crash. With true determination, he finds a way to survive on his own.
Almost Home by Joan Bauer
Sugar Mae Cole gets hit hard by life. Her grandfather dies, her dad leaves again, and she is left without a home. Needing a new start, Sugar and her mom head to Chicago. With the help of a rescue dog, Shush, and many supportive people along the way, Sugar learns how to overcome and respond to challenges she is faced.
She Persisted Around the World by Chelsea Clinton
This book chronicles the story of thirteen women who changed the world with their Perseverance. Women around the world have long dreamed big, even when they’ve been told their dreams didn’t matter. They’ve spoken out, risen up and fought for what’s right, even when they’ve been told to be quiet. Whether in science, the arts, sports or activism, women and girls throughout history have been determined to break barriers and change the status quo. They haven’t let anyone get in their way and have helped us better understand our world and what’s possible.
What Do You Do With A Problem? By Kobi Yamada
When a child encounters a problem, he’s not sure what to do so he ignores it. But the problem persists and gains size as it gains momentum. How will Perseverance help the child face it rather than run from it and ultimately find something beautiful deep within the problem?
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
In this treasure, a child wants to build the most magnificent thing, but as she creates, it’s turning out all wrong. Back to the drawing board she goes, more times than she cares to count. Will she persevere in order to make the most magnificent gift for her sidekick?
Leo The Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman
In this book, a little lightning bug named Leo is laughed at by his friends, because his light doesn’t light up… yet. Perseverance helps this little one not only find himself but finally feel BIG.
The Tortoise and the Hare by Jerry Pinkney
In this recent version of the age-old fable, the tortoise and the hare have a big race. While the hare relies on his laurels, the underdog tortoise goes slow and steady, using the value of Perseverance to win the race.
Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
Malala’s tells her story by showing readers how to hold on to hope even in the most difficult of times