Books for Teaching Success

Unit Plan: Welcome to Success

These books contain characters displaying multiple character traits.

Literature
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
When Grace finds out her class is mounting a production of Peter Pan, she can't wait to audition for the starring role. But her classmates say Peter Pan can't be a black girl. Watercolor illustrations illuminate Grace's heartbreak and triumph as she — with the help of her family — shows everyone that true talent is more than skin deep.

Classroom Tip: This book serves as a good one to model the lesson process for the students.

Angel Child, Dragon Child by Michele Maria Surat
Ut, an immigrant child from Vietnam, tries adjusting to a new life in America.

Classroom Tip: This book has examples of the following character traits: tolerance, respect, and courage.

The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
This lovely book effectively conveys the concepts of sharing and simple mathematics to youngsters. "Bright, joyous, dynamic, this wonderfully humorous piece of realism for the young is presented simply but with style and imagination." —Horn Book.

Classroom Tip: A wonderful book for teaching generosity.

How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina R. Friedman,
An American sailor courts a young Japanese woman and each tries, in secret, to learn the other's way of eating.

Classroom Tip: This book showcases the character traits such as curiosity, compassion, and empathy.

Old Turtle by Douglas Wood
This contemporary classic offers a starting place for discussing beliefs, peace, and acceptance among the peoples of the world.

Classroom Tip: This book has examples of the following character traits: tolerance, respect, curiosity, and empathy.

Old Turtle and the Broken Truth by Douglas Wood
Earth creatures are suffering, for the people will not share their Truth, which gives them happiness & power, with those who are different from them. Then one brave Little Girl seeks the wisdom of the ancient Old Turtle, who sees that the people's Truth is not a whole truth, but broken.

Classroom Tip: Honesty, compassion, integrity, curiosity, and empathy are prominent character traits featured in this book.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
As the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school, this historical fiction shows us all how brave and forgiving a 6-year-old child can be. "Our Ruby taught us all a lot. She became someone who helped change our country.... She led us away from hate, and she led us nearer to knowing each other, the white folks and the black folks." —Ruby's mother.

Classroom Tip: Character traits such as compassion, empathy, tolerance, courage, and enthusiasm are an integral part of the story.