The Magical Yet is an excellent growth mindset book that will not only entertain kids but help teach them valuable lessons on perseverance and how trying again is an important part of life.
A Growth Mindset Book: Using The Magical Yet To Teach
The word “yet” is so powerful. It looks and sounds like a simple word, but it holds so much meaning in a primary classroom.
Students come into kindergarten not being able to read “yet.” They do not know how to add or subtract “yet.” But, by the end of the year, they can do all of that and more. But the word “yet” doesn’t just disappear after they graduate Kindergarten. In 1st, 2nd, and grades beyond, “yet” gets added onto a new skill set, and they start all over again.
Having access to a growth mindset book like The Magical Yet, written by Angela DiTerlizzi, motivates kids to see just how important the word really is.
Using Children’s Books To Teach Growth Mindset
Picture books are a great way to help teach a growth mindset in the classroom. First, children’s books encourage students to distinguish between fixed and growth mindsets. Kids sometimes struggle with the concept of two different mindsets, and giving them concrete examples is helpful.
Picture books are often written with younger children in mind. This enables them to understand the characters, story, and message they are trying to be taught. The situations and growth mindset examples inside picture books are simple enough for K-2 students to understand.
Finally, books allow for extension activities and discussions. Not only are picture books a great way to open up the lines of communication among students and encourage them to make connections. But also promote a discussion about what it takes to have a growth mindset, while growth mindset activities help students internalize everything.
The Magical Yet Summary
A small child crashes and damages their new bicycle on a dark and rainy day. The child was attempting to do a wheelie. After falling, the child decides this little setback is a failure and vows never to ride her bike again. The character plans to “walk….forever.”
But, while walking, the child finds a glowing orb called the Magical Yet. This Yet reminds the child of past accomplishments and encourages them to continue persevering. You’ll watch the child learn to ride the bike and then flash forward to the child graduating college and designing a new bike.
The Magical Yet encourages important discussions around the power of “yet” concept and the need to grow and persevere even after you experience hardships and failures.
Using The Magical Yet to Teach Growth Mindset
The Magical Yet is a great resource for teachers. Helping teach a growth mindset, this relatable book is full of beautiful illustrations and a real-life example that students can relate to (falling off a bike).
Teachers can use the concept of “yet” with their students to help explain how they will all make mistakes, fail, and struggle to complete many tasks along the way. But that’s just because they can’t do it “yet.” Getting students to understand the power of the word “yet” will open up doors they never even realized were there.
After reading the book, kids can create “yet” goals to help them understand that some things take time, and eventually, they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
“Yet” Growth Mindset Lesson Plans
The Magical Yet is a great addition to your classroom library when you teach growth mindset. Like other growth mindset picture books, you can use this book to create wonderful lesson plans.
Discussion
Before reading, have students share something that was hard for them at one point, but they can do it now. It may be something school related or not. Then, discuss something a student can not do “yet.”
\While reading, discuss how each student has a magical “yet” inside of them that will help them each grow and learn.
After reading, have students share how they will use their magical “yet” to accomplish their goals!
There are also many different questions you can ask students before, during, and after reading that can help with reading comprehension and a growth mindset—using book chat cards or discussion starters.
Interactive Anchor Chart
Create an anchor chart that is titled “I Can’t YET!” Brainstorm things students can’t do yet but want to learn around the word “yet” on the anchor chart.
Some things they may include are:
- Ride a bike
- Cook eggs
- Write a story
- Learn to read
You can keep this anchor chart up and have students cross ideas out as they learn or accomplish the task.
Writing Prompt
After students understand the power the word “yet” holds, have them write a little bit about something they hope to be able to do one day. Have them think of something short-term, like riding a bike, or something long-term, like becoming a doctor.
Discuss what they will need to do to accomplish that goal. These may be things like practicing, studying, working hard, etc. Then, have them write down what they will need to do. After that, they can draw a picture to match their writing.
“Yet” Extension Activities
After reading The Magical Yet and completing the discussion, anchor chart, and writing prompt. You may want to include other fun activities to drive home the power of the word “yet.”
Directed Drawing
Students can draw the magical “yet” fairy using either 4 or 6 steps. Then, they can color it, add background details, and create their own unique “yet” fairy.
Goal Setting Hat
Print, draw, and write “yet” goals on a hat and include a picture of the student accomplishing the task. Color the hat and picture, and then fit them onto students’ heads.
“Yet” Journal
Encourage students to reflect upon what they can’t do yet and record their thoughts in a “yet” journal. They can use this journal to record their “I can’t YET” experiences and what they can do from there.
“Yet” Self-Portrait
Take a picture of each student with a “thinking” expression. Print off each photo, glue it onto a larger piece of paper, and attach it to a thought bubble. Have students draw and write about things they want to learn to do.
Growth Mindset Book Companions
It’s always a great idea to include multiple books to show students how having a growth mindset is not something that is just used in the classroom. I’ve created more book companions for some of my favorite growth mindset books.
The Dot
The Dot book companion lesson inspires children to take risks with their learning and to try new things. They will be encouraged to get started when they feel stuck and build their self-esteem.
Bubble Gum Brain
Bubble Gum Brain companion lesson is about the two types of mindsets (growth and fixed). Children will learn the difference between a growth (“bubble gum”) and a fixed (“brick”) mindset. They will work to develop a bubble gum brain through new experiences and making mistakes.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes book companion lesson teaches us about the importance of making mistakes. Children will learn that it is okay to make mistakes and how to handle them. They will be encouraged to strive to do their personal best and use positive self-talk.
The Bad Seed
The Bad Seed book companion lesson is about making good choices. Children will understand the difference between good and bad choices and learn to make good choices. They will be encouraged to self-reflect and grow after making mistakes or bad choices.
Resources to Help You Teach Growth Mindset
The Magical Yet Book Companion
The Magical Yet Book Companion is a great resource that will not only help students understand the power of the word “yet.” But will give them the opportunity to learn about a growth mindset and how they can grow and learn through mistakes, failures, and overcoming obstacles.
If you are looking to really build your growth mindset lesson plan repertoire. You could easily grab all of these book companions in our growth mindset book companion bundle. You’ll get all of the books mentioned above and peace of mind knowing you’re giving your students many positive examples of what a growth mindset looks like.
If you like this resource, you’ll love my K-2 growth mindset curriculum. If you teach older students, don’t worry. I have a 3-5 growth mindset curriculum as well!
Free SMART Goal Setting Journal
Try the FREE growth mindset SMART goal-setting journal by Proud to be Primary. Your students will love being able to set SMART goals for themselves, and you’ll love watching them accomplish all of these goals and become not only better students but better humans!
Click the image below to grab a copy.
More Growth Mindset Ideas For The Classroom
PIN for Later
Leave a Comment