Growing a growth mindset: unlocking character strengths through children's literatureBy Dr. Kevin Sheehan & Jessica Ryan |
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How do teachers and parents create ripples of hope
that have the power to build cultures of grit?
that have the power to build cultures of grit?
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This book describes positive psychology constructs and provides engaging lesson plans utilizing picture books. It focuses on the areas of:
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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.
"The ideas set forth in this powerful book are critical if we are to free children
from the mistaken belief that failing is something to be feared.
Bravo to the authors for taking on this important issue."
— Mark Pett, author/illustrator of The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
“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 of 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 of No You Can’t, Yes I Can
"The field of social studies is primed for some new thinking.
Growth mindsets is a particularly exciting way into this new thinking."
-John Lee, PhD, Interim Department Head and Professor, North Carolina State
"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."
-Dr. Danielle Gately, Assistant to the Superintendent of Instruction in East Williston and EdCampLI Co-Founder
-Dr. Donald 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 of 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, “Growing a Growth Mindset” classroom parent & Waverly Park PTA President
from the mistaken belief that failing is something to be feared.
Bravo to the authors for taking on this important issue."
— Mark Pett, author/illustrator of The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
“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 of 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 of No You Can’t, Yes I Can
"The field of social studies is primed for some new thinking.
Growth mindsets is a particularly exciting way into this new thinking."
-John Lee, PhD, Interim Department Head and Professor, North Carolina State
"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."
-Dr. Danielle Gately, Assistant to the Superintendent of Instruction in East Williston and EdCampLI Co-Founder
-Dr. Donald 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 of 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, “Growing a Growth Mindset” classroom parent & Waverly Park PTA President
