Determination
April Character Trait of the Month
What is Determination?
Determination, grit, and perseverance make for the ability to push through challenges.
The key to being determined is motivation, positivity, and the courage to see things through to completion no matter the setbacks. Fostering an attitude of not giving up and being resilient helps students develop independence.
Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker
This biographical story about Katherine Johnson shows her journey to becoming an important part of NASA and an inspirational leader in STEM. Katherine Johnson was one of the real-life heroes of the Apollo 13 moon landing because of her mathematical abilities, curiosity, and determination.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
An art teacher encourages Vashti to make a mark, a dot, prompting Vashti to create a wide range of dot paintings. She works through her fear and finds her determination to display her work at the school art show and inspires a young boy to make his own unique mark. This book shows how a growth mindset contributes to the determination to accomplish a goal.
The Very Busy Spider by Eric Karl
In this story A spider, blown by the wind to a fence post near a farm yard, begins to build her web and cannot be distracted from the task at hand--not by the horse, cow, sheep, goat, or dog. But when the rooster asks if she wants to catch a pesky fly, the busy spider is able to catch it in her web immediately!
Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson by
In this true story people dismissed Emmanuel because of his deformed leg, but his mother’s belief gave him the courage and determination to be himself. As he got older he became a cyclist, eventually cycling 400 miles across Ghana to promote the message that disability is not inability.
The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca
This true story shows the determination of Temple Grandin. Temple Grandin is an accomplished scientist, author, and speaker on autism and animal behavior. The biographical story written with rhythm and rhyme concludes with a lesson and a letter from Temple herself.
The Curious Garden by Peter Brown
In this story Liam’s curiosity leads him to explore an elevated train track. He discovers dying flowers and begins to nurture them. His dedication pays off when the flowers grow and start spreading over the city.
Gobi: A Little Dog with a Big Heart by Dion Leonard
This true story tells about Dion running a 177-mile race in the Gobi Desert. Dion discovers a little dog running with him. Through trials and tribulations, they finish the race together. Dion names the dog Gobi and takes him home to Scotland.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
In this story Jabari is determined to jump off the diving board but his confidence wanes as he nears the ladder. His patient father reassures Jabari that it is okay to be scared. With new determination he climbs the ladder and jumps.
Questions for Picture Books About Determination:
- Why was it difficult for [character] to be determined? What were the obstacles?
- What characteristics did [character] have that made them able to show determination?
- Why was it important that [character] show determination?
- Do you think [character] could accomplish their task by themselves?
- How can positive relationships with others help us preserve in difficult situations/tasks?
- What does it mean to show determination or to be committed?
- How does having determination make a difference to your work or achieving your goals?
- When you try something new how does being determined help?
Determination Videos, Songs & Activities
Sesame Street: Bruno Mars: Don't Give Up
"Get Back Up Again" Clip | TROLLS
C.J. Luckey (@cjluckeydope) - The Power of Yet - Offical Music Video - Directed by Andre Kahmeyer
PBS KIDS Talk About | SELF-CONFIDENCE & DETERMINATION | PBS KIDS
How Determination Pays Off | Tell Me A Tale | ABC Kids