Famous Heros of Perseverance They endured many hardships to achieve their goals, and their work changed the world.
Martin Luther King Jr. Ruby Bridges Albert Einstein Anne Bancroft Pablo Picasso Other Famous Heros of Perseverance:
Dear Parents and Guardians: "Enduring Hardships to Beat the Odds: Working Hard to Achieve Our Goals!," is a literacy unit based on the ideas of perseverance, hard work, finding solutions for our problems, and building a supportive community based on acceptance and friendship. As a class we will read, write, create artwork, and reflect on these topics. The students will be reading one of three books, based on their reading level. The books cover some tough topics, such as learning disabilities, being held back, divorce, and having a negative self-image. The characters in these stories prevail to beat the odds, and all those who read these stories can learn a lot from the characters’ examples. My goal is for all of our students to walk away from this unit believing in themselves regardless of the difficulties they face in life, knowing that they can achieve anything they put their brilliant minds to, and work hard for. I look forward to our discussions and their reflections, to hear each of their ideas, and to see their levels of confidence raise to amazing heights. The three books the students will be reading are Judy Moody Was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood, by Megan McDonald; The Flunking of Joshua T. Bates, by Susan Shreve; and Just Juice, by Karen Hesse. They will be working in small groups, and as a whole class to discuss the issues their book characters are facing, and what it means for the ideas of perseverance and defying the odds. I will also being reading aloud the books, Facing the Lion: Growing up Maasai on the Africa Savanna, by Joseph Lekuton, and In the Small, Small Night, by Jane Kurt. These are both stories that come from Africa, which will give a diverse and cultural look at people who have persevered to achieve greatness. I ask that at home, you talk about your child about your ideas and experiences of persevering and beating the odds. As the students work through the unit activities, it will help them make connections to the real world if they can think about ways their family members have endured hardships, and become great citizens. Mrs. Perez and I are so thankful for your tireless support, and I hope you find this literacy unit as enjoyable as your children will. Thank you so much for your time. Sincerely, Mr. Andy Harrington harring2@seattleu.edu Coe 304 Student Teacher Seattle University Masters in Teaching Perseverance Discussion Questions for Families (List of Ideas) |
