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, 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.
Kevin Sheehan is a tenured associate professor at Molloy College, where he has served on the faculty for over a decade. Molloy College recognized Kevin with its Faculty Leadership Award for his work with children of poverty, and the New York State Council for Social Studies awarded Kevin the Distinguished Social Studies Educator Award for his efforts in preparing social studies teachers in 2009.Jessica Ryan has worked as an elementary teacher in Lynbrook School District and an adjunct professor at Molloy College. In 2012, she was recognized as the Mathematics Teacher of the Year by the Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association and named the 2013 Teacher of the Year by the 9/11 Tribute Center.
ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgementsPart I: Introduction: The Why, How and Where of Positive Psychology for KidsChapter 1: The Why: Teaching Children To Fail Well in a Trophy CultureChapter 2: The How: Lessons of Positive Psychology That You Can Teach TomorrowChapter 3: The Where: Curriculum Connections that Bring Common Core and NCSS C3Standards to LifePart II: Children’s Literature Lessons that Teach Growth Mindset and Unlocking Student StrengthsSections IIA: Growing The Growth Mindset: Learning to Fail WellChapter 4: Building a Growth Mindset: The Secret of Failing WellBook: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary RubinsteinLesson Author: Kevin SheehanChapter 5: Foundation for a Fixed Mindset: The Danger of NaturalsBook: Noel the First by Kate McMullenLesson Author: Kathleen SokolowskiChapter 6: Threats to a Growth Mindset: The Peril of Performance GoalsBook: Too Perfect by Trudy LudwigLesson Authors: Kathleen Blake and Anthony MarinoSections IIB: Building Hope: The Power of Hope to Create Your Best FutureChapter 7: Hope Creators: The Power of OthersBook: Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beatty and David Roberts Lesson Author: Jessica RyanChapter 8: Hope Crushers: Rediscovering Lost HopeBook: Emily’s Art by Peter CatalanottoLesson Author: Danielle RosenbergChapter 9: Maintaining Hope: Finding Your Best Self Book: Stand Tall Mary Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and David CatrowLesson Author: Elizabeth BavaroSections IIC: Cultivating Grit: Passion and Perseverance for Long Term GoalsChapter 10: The Roots of Grit: Deliberate Practice Over Natural AbilityBook: Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. JordanLesson Author: Annmarie Pagano and Breanna PodmoreChapter 11: Sticking with It: Grit Perseverance for Long Term Goals Book: Iggy Peck. Architect by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts Lesson Author: Monica ZenyuhChapter 12: Sustaining Grit: The Power of Passion for a GoalBook: No You Can’t, Yes I Can by Justin Allen and Antoinette CauleyLesson Authors: Dan and Jessica KeeganSections IID: Unlocking Strengths: Discovering and Nurturing Natural TalentsChapter 13: Spotting Strengths: Strength Finding Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-ReesLesson Author: Amy Curry Chapter 14: Unleashing Strengths: Using Strengths to Discover the Best YouBook: Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi and Tim BowersLesson Author: Megan Pavlick Chapter 15: Synergy: The Power of Combining Your Strengths With OthersBook: Going Places by Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. ReynoldsLesson Author: Angela AbendSections IIE: Finding Happiness: Unlocking the Secrets of HappinessChapter 16: Discovering the Secret of Happiness: Doing for OthersBook: How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary ReckmeyerLesson Author: Faith TrippChapter 17: Finding Happiness in Your Life: The Power of SavoringBook: The Wise Woman and her Secret by Eve Merriam and Linda GravesChapter Author: Ed KemnitzerChapter 18: Choosing Happiness: The Power of OptimismBook: It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd ParrLesson Authors: Kelly Marzocchi, Caitlin Verity, and Megan VotkPart III Creating Cultures of Character Chapter 19: Building Culture: This Book is the Beginning Not the EndChapter 20: Deeper Knowledge: Resources for Learning More About Mindset, Hope, Grit, Strengths, & Happiness Appendix A: Lessons From the Field -Jessica RyanReferencesAbout the Authors
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.