Try,,,Try,,,Try Again!

Engage: Have a class discussion about a time they learned to do something new. Make a list of the things they learned to do. Now, make a list of things they think would be too hard for them to do.
Revisit: After reading a book selections of your choice, discuss how the main character, or group of characters, did or did not display the concept of perseverance .
Extention: The children can illustrate a page showing somethnig they can learn to do through perseverance. "I will try to ..." Use one or more of the following activities to solidify the concept of generosity.

Literature
Matthew's Dream by Leo Lionni
Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni
A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss
How Many Days to America? by Eve Bunting
Brave Irene by William Steig
The Very Quick Cricket by Eric Carle
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,
Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
The Tortoise and the Hare by Helen Ward
The Little Engine That Couldby Watty Piper

Ideas for Perseverance

Reach For the Stars-On stars cut from construction paper, children write their name on one side and a goal they have on the other side. Hang from the classroom ceiling.

Making Tracks Brainstorm goals they may have. Then list possible ways to meet the goal. On a construction paper car, children write their goal. On a sentence strip write the steps to make it to their goal. Attach the cars & accompanying sentences strips to resemble a car driving down a road. Display on a "Making Tracks" bulletin board. OR goals can be written on construction paper shoes with same sentence strip steps.

I Think I Can! After reading The Little Engine That Could, make a class book of either things each child would like to learn to do this year in school or a time they learned to do something that was difficult.