Overcoming Challenges
A Themed Literature Unit by Lucia Mancuso & Tiffany Voelzke

Learning Targets

1.  Students will use their background knowledge and personal experiences to make text-to-self connections as they read.  (Skill/Process)

2.  Students will use mental imagery to compose a visual representation of something that was read in a story.  (Skill/Process) 

3.  Students will work cooperatively in small groups (literature circles).  (Skill/Process)

4.  Students will understand what it takes to overcome challenges.  (Concept/Generalization)

Generalizations:

–      It is easier to overcome challenges with the support and care of others.

–      It takes courage and strength to overcome challenges.

–      It is easier to overcome challenges if you are determined to achieve your dreams. 

 

Literature Circle Books

Bunting, E. (1991). Fly Away Home. New York: Clarion Books

In this book, a young boy and his father experience the reality of homelessness.  They rely on each other through the daily struggles and hardships they experience, all the while remaining hopeful that they will one day have a home of their own. 

Generalization: It is easier to overcome challenges with support and care of others.    

 

Gleeslin, C. (2004). Elena’s Serenade. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division

Young Elena dreams of being a glassblower like her father.  After being told she is too small, Elena refuses to let go of her dream.  This story follows Elena on a whirlwind journey across the Mexican desert to Monterrey as she meets the great glassblowers and soon becomes famous herself. 

Generalization:  It is easier to overcome challenges if you are determined to achieve your dreams. 

 

Henkes, K. (1988). Chester’s Way. New York: Greenwillow Books

Chester and Wilson are best friends who do everything together in their own special way.  Suddenly, these two friends find themselves in the midst of Lily, a new girl who not only beats to her own drummer but also challenges Chester’s set ways.  It is a great book about how three friends overcome the challenge of making new friends. 

Generalization:  It takes courage and strength to overcome challenges. 

 

Krull, K. (1996). Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolf Became the World’s Fastest Woman. New York: Harcourt, Inc.

                This story is about runner Wilma Rudolph, the first American woman to win three gold medals at a single Olympics.  As a child, Wilma was paralyzed by polio and doctors told her she would never walk again.  Through hard work and determination, Wilma proves the doctors wrong and eventually becomes the fastest woman in the world.  This story highlights what it takes to overcome challenges and beat the odds. 

Generalization:  It is easier to overcome challenges if you are determined to achieve your dreams. 

 

Woodson, J. (2001). The Other Side. New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons

This is a wonderful story about overcoming racial prejudice. Although leery of the big wooden fence that separates the black side of town from the white side of town, Annie and Clover ignore their parents’ warnings and slowly begin to get to know each other.  In the end, these two girls become friends as they break down racial boundaries and overcome the challenges of their time.  Generalization:  It takes courage and strength to overcome challenges.