Table of Contents
Growing a Growth Mindset:
Unlocking Character Strengths Through Children’s Literature
Kevin Sheehan
Jessica Ryan
Preface: Creating Ripples of Hope That Have the Power to Build Cultures of Grit
Part I: Introduction: The Why, How, and Where of Positive Psychology for Kids
Chapter 1: The Why: Teaching Children To Fail Well in a Trophy Culture
Chapter 2: The How: Lessons of Positive Psychology That You Can Teach Tomorrow
Chapter 3: The Where: Curriculum Connections that Bring Common Core and NCSS C3
Standards to Life
Part II: Children’s Literature Lessons that Teach Growth Mindset and Unlocking Student Strengths
Sections IIA: Growing The Growth Mindset: Learning to Fail Well
Chapter 4: Building a Growth Mindset: The Secret of Failing Well
Book: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
Lesson Author: Kevin Sheehan
Chapter 5: Foundation for a Fixed Mindset: The Danger of Naturals
Book: Noel the First by Kate McMullen
Lesson Author: Kathleen Sokolowski
Chapter 6: Threats to a Growth Mindset: The Peril of Performance Goals
Book: Too Perfect by Trudy Ludwig
Lesson Authors: Kathleen Blake and Anthony Marino
Sections IIB: Building Hope: The Power of Hope to Create Your Best Future
Chapter 7: Hope Creators: The Power of Others
Book: Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beatty and David Roberts
Lesson Author: Jessica Ryan
Chapter 8: Hope Crushers: Rediscovering Lost Hope
Book: Emily’s Art by Peter Catalanotto
Lesson Author: Danielle Rosenberg
Chapter 9: Maintaining Hope: Finding Your Best Self
Book: Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell and David Catrow
Lesson Author: Elizabeth Bavaro
Sections IIC: Cultivating Grit: Passion and Perseverance for Long Term
Goals
Chapter 10: The Roots of Grit: Deliberate Practice Over Natural Ability
Book: Salt in His Shoes by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan
Lesson Author: Annmarie Pagano and Breanna Podmore
Chapter 11: Sticking with It: Grit Perseverance for Long Term Goals
Book: Iggy Peck. Architect by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts
Lesson Author: Monica Zenyuh
Chapter 12: Sustaining Grit: The Power of Passion for a Goal
Book: No You Can’t, Yes I Can by Justin Allen and Antoinette Cauley
Lesson Authors: Dan and Jessica Keegan
Sections IID: Unlocking Strengths: Discovering and Nurturing Natural Talents
Chapter 13: Spotting Strengths: Strength Finding
Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees
Lesson Author: Amy Curry
Chapter 14: Unleashing Strengths: Using Strengths to Discover the Best You
Book: Dream Big Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi and Tim Bowers
Lesson Author: Megan Pavlick
Chapter 15: Synergy: The Power of Combining Your Strengths With Others
Book: Going Places by Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. Reynolds
Lesson Author: Angela Abend
Sections IIE: Finding Happiness: Unlocking the Secrets of Happiness
Chapter 16: Discovering the Secret of Happiness: Doing for Others
Book: How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
Lesson Author: Faith Tripp
Chapter 17: Finding Happiness in Your Life: The Power of Savoring
Book: The Wise Woman and her Secret by Eve Merriam and Linda Graves
Chapter Author: Ed Kemnitzer
Chapter 18: Choosing Happiness: The Power of Optimism
Book: It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr
Lesson Authors: Kelly Marzocchi, Caitlin Verity, and Megan Votk
Part III Creating Cultures of Character
Chapter 19: Building Culture: This Book is the Beginning Not the End
Chapter 20: Deeper Knowledge: Resources for Learning More About Mindset, Hope, Grit, Strengths, & Happiness
Postscript: Lessons From the Field
Jessica Ryan
Tables
Figures