Lesson Plan
Understanding Challenges
Help 3rd graders understand that life's challenges help us grow, by sharing stories and engaging in reflective activities.
This lesson builds resilience and empathy, encouraging students to see challenges as opportunities for learning and personal growth.
Audience
3rd Grade Class
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Storytelling, reading activities, and group discussions.
Prep
Lesson Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Understanding Challenges lesson plan for background context.
- Familiarize yourself with the Why Is Life Sometimes Challenging? Slide-Deck to structure your storytelling.
- Read through the Stories of Overcoming Reading to prepare for the activity.
- Set up the classroom for a Reflective Circle Discussion and ensure seating arrangements facilitate group conversations.
Step 1
Introduction & Storytelling
15 minutes
- Begin by introducing the idea that challenges help us grow and learn.
- Use the Why Is Life Sometimes Challenging? Slide-Deck to share a relatable story about overcoming difficulty.
- Ask students to share brief moments when they faced a challenge.
Step 2
Reading Activity: Stories of Overcoming
15 minutes
- Read aloud a story from the Stories of Overcoming Reading.
- Pause during the reading to ask guiding questions about the character’s feelings and decisions.
- Encourage students to reflect on their feelings when facing challenges.
Step 3
Reflective Discussion
15 minutes
- Organize the class into a Reflective Circle using the Reflective Circle Discussion format.
- Facilitate a conversation where each student can share what they learned from the stories.
- Conclude by summarizing how challenges make us stronger and more understanding of others.
Slide Deck
Why Is Life Sometimes Challenging?
Welcome! Today we’ll learn how challenges help us grow.
Introduce the lesson with energy and enthusiasm. Mention that today we're exploring how challenges help us learn and grow.
Story Time: Overcoming a Challenge
Imagine facing a big mountain and climbing it step by step. Every step is a challenge that makes you stronger!
Share a relatable story about a challenge (this may be one shared in class or a known story). Encourage students to think about a time they faced a challenge.
Your Challenge Story
Can you think of a time when you helped solve a problem or overcame a difficulty? Let’s share our stories!
Pose a question to the class: Ask students to think of and share a small challenge they have overcome. Use follow-up questions to spur discussion.
Reading Time: Stories of Overcoming
Listen carefully to a story about facing challenges and overcoming them.
Transition into the reading activity where you read aloud a story from the 'Stories of Overcoming' reading material. Pause for discussion questions.
Reflect & Grow
Remember: Every challenge is a chance to learn and grow. Keep being brave and kind!
Wrap up the lesson by connecting the stories and discussion back to the idea that challenges help us become stronger and kinder people. Summarize key points.
Reading
Stories of Overcoming
Welcome to our reading adventure! In this collection, you'll find short stories about characters just like you, who face challenges and come out stronger on the other side. Each story is written in a fun, easy-to-read style that helps us think about how challenges can help us learn and grow.
Story 1: The Little Seed's Journey
Once upon a time, there was a tiny seed buried in the soil. At first, the little seed was scared of the darkness and the hard ground around it. But as days passed, the seed began to push through the soil. Even though it was tough and the weather wasn’t always perfect, the little seed kept growing. Soon, it sprouted into a bright, beautiful flower. The little seed learned that small challenges, like breaking through the soil, could lead to amazing growth and beauty!
Story 2: Mia and the Tall Slide
Mia loved playing at the park, but there was one thing that made her nervous—a very tall slide. Every day, she watched other kids slide down and smile, and she wished to join them. One sunny afternoon, Mia decided to try. With a deep breath and a brave heart, she climbed the steps. It wasn’t easy, and Mia felt a bit scared halfway up, but she didn’t give up. When she finally let go and slid down, her face lit up with joy. Mia learned that trying something challenging can turn fear into fun and excitement!
Discussion Time
Think about these two stories:
- What challenges did the little seed face?
- How did Mia overcome her fear?
- Can you think of a time when you faced a small challenge and came out stronger?
Take a moment to reflect on these questions, and get ready to share your thoughts with your classmates!
Discussion
Reflective Circle Discussion
Introduction
- Explain to the students that now is the time to share their thoughts about the stories we read and to talk about challenges they have faced. Remind them that it's a safe space where everyone listens respectfully.
Guidelines for Sharing
- Listen Carefully: When someone is speaking, listen carefully and without interruptions.
- Speak Kindly: Use kind words even if you disagree.
- Take Turns: Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak.
Discussion Prompts
- What Part Moved You?
Ask: Which part of the stories about the little seed or Mia made you feel happy, brave, or even a little scared? Why? - Relating to the Stories:
Ask: Can you think of a time when you felt challenged like the little seed or Mia? What did you do? - Sharing a Moment:
Ask: Would anyone like to share a time when they solved a problem or overcame something that was hard for them? What happened and how did it make you feel?
Follow-Up Points
- Discuss Emotions: Talk about why it’s okay to feel different emotions when facing a challenge.
- Learning and Growing: Emphasize that challenging times help us learn and become stronger.
- Encouragement: Invite the class to think of one thing they can do if they face a new challenge in the future.
Wrap-Up
- Summarize the key points: challenges are part of life, they help us grow, and sharing our experiences makes us stronger as a community.
- Remind students to try these sharing practices anytime they need to talk about their feelings.
Now, let's sit in our circle and share our thoughts. Who would like to start?
