In October, our Scholar Star Skill is Academic Perseverance; the ability to keep trying, even when something feels hard. To help our kinder and 1st grade students understand this important skill, we read a story called Joshua’s Strong Brain.

What We Learned

Through Joshua’s story, students discovered what it means to have a growth mindset. This means:

• Our brains get stronger when we try new things.

• Mistakes help us learn.

• Challenges are opportunities to grow.

• We can say “I can’t do this yet” instead of “I can’t do this.”

Students loved learning how Joshua practices positive self-talk, tries again when things feel difficult, and believes in his ability to learn.

Our Classroom Discussion

After the story, we talked about:

• Times when something felt hard for us

• How we kept going, even when we wanted to give up

• What we can say to ourselves when we feel frustrated

• How effort helps our brain grow stronger, just like Joshua’s!
  
  

Students shared great examples from school, home, and even the playground. We also practiced encouraging words such as “I can try,” “I can learn,” and “I won’t give up.”

Why This Skill Matters

Academic perseverance helps our young scholars:

• Build confidence

• Approach challenges with resilience

• Develop strong problem-solving skills

• Feel proud of their progress

These early skills support long-term success both in and out of the classroom.

You can continue the conversation at home by asking:
“What is something new you tried today? How did you show a strong brain?”