The Power of Yet Lesson Plan

Download this lesson

Academic Standards

 

Reading Objective:

Children will practice developing a growth mind-set through video, reading, and writing activities.

 

Social-Emotional Learning Focus:

personal development

 

ELA Skills:

key details, vocabulary, decode words, writing

 

Page 4 Skill:

social-emotional learning

 

Vocabulary:

frustrated, challenge

 

CCSS:

RI.2.1, RI.2.4, RI.2.10, RF.2.3, L.2.1, SL.2.3

Download TEKS Standards
Download California State Standards
Download Common Core Standards

Provide students with some background on overcoming challenges and developing a growth mind-set.

Build background knowledge (10 min.)

Watch our video “Get a Growth Mind-set.” After children have finished watching the video, discuss the following questions:

  • What is the difference between a growth mind-set and a fixed mindset? (A growth mind-set is when you think you can get better at things and try your best to improve, and a fixed mind-set is when you think you can’t get better at things.)
  • What are some tips for getting a growth mind-set? (Answers include: Ask for help; don’t be afraid of making mistakes; try something new.)

Preview vocabulary (3 min.)

Next, play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are frustrated and challenge.

Set a purpose for reading (5 min.)

  • Pass out the issue, and discuss the cover. What is each child thinking about? The kids are imagining themselves doing things they’d like to do someday: riding a skateboard, making a painting, and playing the guitar!
  • Next, read the As You Read promptnon page 2: “Think of something you can’t do yet but would like to learn.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

Read together (20 min.)

Pass out the Read and Think printable. Use it to check comprehension as you read the issue together, pausing to ask the questions. 

  • The Give Up or Get Better? game reinforces the concept of growth mind-set by giving students challenging situations and asking them to choose positive responses.

You can use our printable worksheets to focus on important social-emotional and ELA skills. Here’s how.

Exit Ticket: Show What You Learned (5 min.)

  • Use our new Show What You Learned printable as a quick exit ticket! It asks students to revisit the As You Read prompt after they are done reading. If you are teaching remotely, this page is a great way to check students’ comprehension.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (15 min.)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ understanding of the words frustrated and challenge.

Editor’s Pick: Write a Growth Mind-set Letter (20 min.)

  • The Letter to Myself printable is an empowering writing project that helps students develop and keep their own growth mind-set. Have students think of something they’d like to be able to do but can’t do yet.
  • Then have students use the printable to write themselves a letter of encouragement. As they work toward their goal, they’ll have a wonderful confidence booster they can reread anytime!

ELA Focus: Sight Words (15 min.)

  • The Color by Sight Word printable lets kids color a mystery picture using a sightword key. As kids fill in each section with the correct color, a cute kitty riding a skateboard will be revealed!

 Here are two past issues you can use to extend your lesson on stepping up to challenges:

  • You Can Do It!, September 2018. This issue gives students additional tips on developing a growth mindset.
  • Mo Doesn’t Give Up, September 2019. This issue helps students get to know beloved children’s author Mo Willems—and the techniques he uses to keep persevering!

You can find a higher-Lexile-level and a lower-Lexile-level version of the article online here:

  • Higher-Lexile level: 530L
  • Lower-Lexile level: 460L