Domain:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Competency:
Reflect to improve decisions and outcomes
🎂
10-12 year olds
⏰
10 to 15 minutes min
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Learning Objective
Students will analyze how the theme of potential and character growth in 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us' encourages critical thinking about their own personal identity and unique qualities.
Learning Resource Synopsis
In 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us' by Kobi Yamada, children are invited to explore the limitless possibilities within themselves. The book features a simple yet profound narrative that encourages young readers to dream big and discover their unique potential. Through its illustrations and inspiring message, the story emphasizes the importance of individuality and the special qualities that each person possesses. It serves as a reminder that every person has something extraordinary inside them waiting to be realized.
Extended Learning Resources
| Resource & Author | Publication Info | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oh, the Places You'll Go. | Dr. Seuss, Random House | This beloved classic encourages children to explore the vast possibilities of their future and embrace their unique journey. |
| The Most Magnificent Thing | Ashley Spires, Kids Can Press | This story inspires young readers to embrace creativity and perseverance as they Begin their own path of self-discovery and potential. |
| Giraffes Can't Dance | Giles Andreae, Orchard Books | Through the tale of Gerald the giraffe, children learn about embracing their individuality and finding their own rhythm in life. |
Vocabulary List
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Potential | The ability to develop or achieve something in the future; having possibilities that are not yet realized. | In 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us', the characters are encouraged to explore their potential, imagining all the wonderful things they might accomplish. |
| Individuality | The quality or character of a particular person or thing that distinguishes them from others; uniqueness. | The book celebrates individuality by showing that each person has unique talents and qualities that make them special. |
| Self-discovery | The process of gaining understanding or knowledge about oneself, one's character, and one's potential. | Through self-discovery, the characters in the story learn about their strengths and what makes them unique. |
| Inspiration | The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially something creative or positive. | The inspiring message of the book encourages readers to dream big and believe in their own potential. |
| Unique | Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else, often possessing distinct qualities or characteristics. | Each illustration in the book highlights the unique talents and dreams of different characters, reminding readers that everyone is special in their own way. |
Prompt
Essential Question: "How can discovering our unique talents and qualities help us understand ourselves and the world around us better?"
Today, we're going to explore what makes each of us unique and how our special qualities can help us understand ourselves and the world around us. Let's think about how discovering our talents can lead to amazing possibilities.
Anticipatory Set
- Begin by inviting students to close their eyes and think about a moment when they felt proud of something they accomplished or a time they discovered a new skill or talent.
- Ask students to open their eyes and imagine holding an object that represents their unique qualities or talents, like a small trophy or a special tool they use well.
- Encourage students to share with a partner what this imaginary object represents for them and how it reminds them of their potential and individuality.
Teacher Tips
- Create a safe and open environment by reassuring students that there are no right or wrong answers and that they can share as much or as little as they feel comfortable with.
- Use gentle prompts to help students articulate their thoughts, such as 'Can you think of a time when you felt really proud of something you did?'.
- Encourage active listening by reminding students to give their full attention to their partner's sharing and respond with positive, supportive feedback.
Learn
As we dive into 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us' by Kobi Yamada, let's open our minds to the endless possibilities that lie within each of us. This story invites us to reflect on our unique qualities and consider how they shape who we are and who we can become.
Interactive Engagement
- As the story unfolds, think about a time when you discovered something new about yourself. How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from that experience?
- Pause and look at the illustrations. What do you notice about how the images reflect the character's journey of self-discovery? How might these images relate to your own experiences?
- Consider the character's dreams and aspirations. What are some dreams you have for yourself, and how do you think they reflect your unique potential?
- When the character faces a challenge, think about how you might handle a similar situation. What would you do to stay motivated and believe in your potential?
- As we read about the character's special qualities, think about a quality that makes you unique. How does this quality help you in everyday situations or when you're facing challenges?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to jot down thoughts or sketch ideas in a notebook as they listen, allowing them to connect personally with the story.
- Pause at key moments to invite students to share their thoughts with a partner or the group, fostering an inclusive environment where every voice is valued.
- Use open-ended questions to prompt deeper thinking, and encourage students to provide reasons for their responses to support critical thinking and exploration.
Ask
Now that we've journeyed through 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us,' let's take a moment to reflect on how the story's themes of potential and individuality connect to our own lives. Consider how discovering your unique talents can shape your understanding of yourself and the world.
Discussion Questions
- Think about a time when you discovered a new talent or quality about yourself. How did that discovery change the way you see yourself or your place in the world?
- In what ways do you think the message of the story might inspire someone to pursue their dreams despite challenges? What personal qualities would help them along the way?
- Reflect on the illustrations and moments from the story that resonated with you the most. How do these moments relate to your own experiences of growth and self-discovery?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to share their reflections in pairs or small groups before discussing as a whole class. This can help students feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts.
- Remind students that there are no wrong answers and that everyone's experiences and reflections are unique and valuable. Encourage students to listen respectfully and consider different perspectives.
- Use prompts to connect students' reflections to real-world examples, asking them to think about how their unique qualities can impact their communities or future goals.
Navigate
Exploring Potential: Digital Vision Board Journey
This activity invites students to Begin a journey of self-discovery and potential realization through the creation of digital vision boards. Reflecting the themes of individuality and growth from 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us,' students will explore and visualize their unique qualities and aspirations. This process encourages critical thinking about personal identity and the endless possibilities within themselves.
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Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to think broadly about their interests and talents.
- Remind students that their vision board is a personal expression and there's no 'right' way to create it.
- Facilitate peer feedback during the sharing session to promote supportive interaction.
- Highlight the importance of reflection as a tool for future planning and decision-making.
Share
As we wrap up our journey with 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us,' let's take a moment to reflect on the key ideas we've explored about individuality, potential, and self-discovery. Consider how this story has helped you think about your own unique qualities and how you can harness them to understand yourself and the world around you.
Reflection Questions
- Think about a time during our lesson when you felt a connection to the story's theme of potential. What did you learn about yourself, and how do you think it can help you in the future?
- Reflect on how the character's journey mirrors your own experiences of discovering unique talents or qualities. How has this understanding changed the way you see yourself?
- Consider how you might use the insights from today's story to help someone else recognize their potential. What advice or encouragement would you give them?
Teacher Tips
- Encourage students to pair up and share their reflections, allowing each partner to listen actively and acknowledge the insights shared.
- Invite students to create a small visual representation or symbol of their unique qualities, which they can keep as a reminder of their growth and potential.
- Facilitate a circle discussion where each student can express one way they plan to use their understanding of potential to inspire their future actions or decisions.
UDL Strategies
Representation
- Visual: Create a multimedia slideshow that includes images, animations, and key quotes from 'Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us.' Use color-coding to highlight themes of individuality and growth.
- Auditory: Incorporate audio clips from the book, such as a professional narration, and include discussions from diverse perspectives on potential and growth. Create a playlist of songs that inspire self-discovery and play them during the activity.
- Tactile/Kinesthetic: Set up a station with tactile materials like textured paper and fabric samples that students can incorporate into their digital boards by photographing them. Use interactive tablets that support stylus input for students to draw directly onto their vision boards.
- Scaffolding: Develop a digital template with placeholders for images and text, offering suggestions for each section. Provide a word bank and image library tailored to themes of potential and self-discovery.
- Comprehension Levels: Create tiered resources with varying complexity, such as simple graphic novels and detailed analytical articles on the book's themes, allowing students to choose based on their reading level.
Action & Expression
- Multiple Modalities: Facilitate a gallery walk where students can display their vision boards and receive constructive feedback. Allow students to create a video diary chronicling their Follow the activity.
- Communication Preferences: Provide options for students to storyboard their vision board as a graphic novel or comic strip, appealing to visual storytellers. Encourage audio recordings or podcasts for students who prefer verbal expression.
- Varied Ability Levels: Offer digital tools that provide instant feedback on grammar and spelling for written reflections. Allow students to submit a digital collage or a 3D model of their vision board, offering a tangible representation of their ideas.
Engagement
- Initial Attention: Kick off with a dynamic animation or short film that explores the concept of infinite potential, linking it to real-life figures who have achieved great things.
- Maintaining Engagement: Set up interactive checkpoints where students can earn feedback from peers and teachers. Use a progress tracker with avatars that evolve as students complete different parts of their vision boards.
- Motivation Preferences: Encourage students to personalize their digital workspace with themes and avatars. Offer flexible seating arrangements that include standing desks, bean bags, and collaborative tables to cater to different work preferences.
Assessment Criteria
Formative Assessment
- As students brainstorm words and phrases that describe their unique qualities and aspirations, observe their participation and engagement in discussions, noting their ability to articulate personal connections to the theme of potential and individuality.
- During the digital vision board creation process, circulate and provide feedback on students' selection of images and text, assessing their critical thinking in choosing elements that truly reflect their identity and aspirations.
- Use think-aloud sessions where students verbalize their thought process while arranging their vision boards. Listen for their ability to connect their choices to their understanding of individuality and potential, providing guidance as needed to deepen their reflections.
Summative Assessment
- Evaluate the completed digital vision boards by looking at the coherence and relevance of the chosen elements, assessing how well they reflect the students' understanding of their personal identity and the theme of potential.
- After the sharing session, assess the students' presentations for clarity in explaining how the vision board elements relate to their personal identity and potential, focusing on their ability to demonstrate critical thinking about their growth and aspirations.
- Review the reflective essays, focusing on the depth of personal insights about growth and potential. Look for evidence of learning from the activity, including connections made between past experiences, current reflections, and future aspirations.
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