Tricky Times Lesson Plan
How Tricky Times Help Us Learn
Kindergarten • 30 Minutes
Learning Objective
Students will be able to describe a time when something was hard and what they did to keep trying.
Growth Mindset
Helping young learners see difficulties as a natural part of growing and building resilience.
Teacher Preparation
- Review the Tricky Times Slide Deck and practice the script.
- Print copies of the What I Learned Drawing Page for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with The Little Engine That Could Reading.
- Gather drawing supplies (crayons, markers).
Lesson Procedure
1
Connect & Wonder: What Makes Things Tricky?
5 MIN
- • Display Tricky Times Slide Deck (Slides 1-2).
- • Ask: "What's something that was tricky for you when you first tried it?" (Allow a few students to share).
- • Key Point: Introduce the idea that "tricky times" are chances for our brains to grow!
2
Explore & Discover: The Little Engine That Could
10 MIN
- • Display Tricky Times Slide Deck (Slide 3).
- • Read aloud The Little Engine That Could Reading.
- • Discuss (Slide 4): "What was tricky for the Little Engine? How did it keep trying? What happened because it didn't give up?"
3
Practice & Apply: My Tricky Time Drawing
10 MIN
- • Display Tricky Times Slide Deck (Slide 5).
- • Distribute What I Learned Drawing Page and supplies.
- • Instruct: Draw a time you faced a tricky situation and what you did to keep trying.
- • Teacher Prompt: "What were you trying to do? How did you feel? What did you say to yourself?"
4
Reflect & Share: Growing Our Brains
5 MIN
- • Display Tricky Times Slide Deck (Slide 6).
- • Invite a few students to share their drawings and explain their "tricky time."
- • Closing: Celebrate everyone's "growing brains" and hard work!
Tricky Times Slides
Tricky Times
Help Us Learn!
It's okay when things are hard!
Welcome students! Ask: "What's something that was tricky for you today?"
Your Brain
Can Grow!
When something is tricky, your brain is working hard!
It's like lifting weights for your brain!
Reiterate: Tricky times = Growing times. No "I can't", just "I'm learning!"
Story Time!
Let's read about The Little Engine That Could!
What can we learn from this little engine?
Read the simplified story aloud with lots of expression!
Talk About It!
?
What was tricky for the Little Engine?
?
How did it keep trying?
?
What happened because it didn't give up?
Encourage students to use the engine's mantra: "I think I can!"
My Tricky Time
Draw a time something was tricky for you.
What did you do to keep trying? What did you learn?
Circulate and ask: "How did you feel when it was tricky?"
Share Your Growth!
Tell us about your tricky time!
You are all AMAZING learners!
Close with a cheer or high-five for a job well done!
Little Engine Reading
The Little Engine That Could
(Simplified Version)
Once upon a time, there was a train. This train was full of toys and good food for the children on the other side of the mountain. But oh dear! The train broke down! The toys and food couldn't get to the children.
A shiny passenger engine came by. The little train asked, "Please, will you pull me over the mountain?" But the passenger engine said, "I am too important for that!" and chugged away.
Then a big, strong freight engine came by. Again, the little train asked for help. The freight engine puffed, "I am too tired!" and went on its way. The toys and food were very sad. Would they ever get to the children?
Suddenly, a tiny blue engine came chugging along. It was a very small engine, but it had a kind smile. The little train asked, "Little Engine, please, will you pull me over the mountain?"
The Little Engine looked at the big broken-down train and the tall mountain. It looked very hard! But the Little Engine took a deep breath and said, "I think I can. I think I can."
The Little Engine hooked up to the big train. It pulled and pulled. It puffed, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can." Slowly, slowly, it started to move! Up, up, up the mountain it went.
Finally, with one last, big pull, the Little Engine reached the top! Then it chugged down the other side, all the way to the children. The children were so happy! The Little Engine smiled and said, "I thought I could. I thought I could!"
Even though it was small and the task was tricky, the Little Engine kept trying and never gave up. Because it kept trying, it made it all the way!
Tricky Times Worksheet
What I Learned: My Tricky Time!
Name: _________________________________
Draw a picture of a time something was tricky for you.
What did you do to keep trying?
What did you learn from this tricky time?
I learned that...
Keep growing your amazing brain!
