A guide for using our resources

Children will practice and apply growth mindset skills.

SEL Focus: self-awareness and selfmanagement

CCSS (and states that have similar standards):  SL.1.2, RI.1.1, RI.1.4, RI.1.8, W.1.2, RL.1.1, L.1.1

Simple, spectacular ideas to boost your lessons.

Grammar: Introduce a Contraction

  • The word can’t appears four times in the issue. Write it on the board. Point to the apostrophe while saying its name aloud.
  • Then explain that can’t is a short way of saying cannot.

Paired Text: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

  • In this delightful picture book, a girl wants to create something magnificent. She thinks it will be easy—it turns out to be anything but! After much frustration, her faithful assistant helps her see things differently. The results are indeed magnificent!

Hands-On Activity: How Will You Keep Trying?

Skill: growth mindset, writing

Materials: “I Will Try My Best!” skill sheet, pencils, crayons

  • Have a prewriting discussion about each part of the skill sheet. For the first box, discuss goals kids may have, such as learning to ride a bike, learning a new move in dance class, or getting better at math.
  • Things kids can say to themselves include: Don’t give up; Keep working; Mistakes are OK; and I’m still learning. For the drawing, kids should show themselves getting better at what they’re trying to do—not necessarily doing it perfectly!
  • You can post children’s completed sheets on a designated bulletin board or keep them in a special folder so kids can have them back whenever they need a boost or a reminder!