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Art By Elio
This is Too Hard!
Enjoy a mini graphic novel about persistence.
By Katie Mach
From the December 2024/January 2025 Issue
Learning Objective: Children will discuss persistence and the importance of having a growth mindset.
video
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About the Story
English Language Arts Focus
Genres of literature
Social and Life Skills Focus
Self-awareness/self-management
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Implementation
- Whole group
Pairings and Text Connections
- From the Storyworks 1 archive: “Sticky Situation: I Give Up” (March/April 2022)
- Suggested books: The Thing Lou Couldn't Do by Ashley Spires
Before-Reading Resources
- Video: What Is a Comic? (5 minutes) Explore how comics use pictures, thoughts, and dialogue to tell a story.
Suggested Reading Focus
Self-awareness/persistence (20 minutes)
- Tell children the expression “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Ask them what the saying means to them. Why is it important to try again? Explain that when you keep trying and don’t give up, it is called being persistent. Say that the comic they will be reading is about being persistent.
- Read the comic with expression. Check children’s comprehension after each panel. Children can also turn and talk to discuss.
- Using the Talk It Out questions, discuss the comic. Encourage children to make personal connections. Can they think of something they had to practice before they got good at it? What did it feel like to try again? Brainstorm ways to remind yourself that you can always try again.
Text-to-Speech