Definition:

Courage is the willingness to go beyond fear to face a healthy (not foolish) challenge, even though it  could be painful, risky, or end in failure.  

In short:

Do good, try hard even when it’s scary.

Summary: The author, Patricia Polacco, tells a story about a school-age girl. Trisha, who struggles with reading. She also suffers from the loss of her beloved grandparents, a move across the country, and ridicule from some of her classmates at her new school. Mr. Falker is the fifth grade teacher who lovingly persists until Trisha courageously faces her challenges and learns to read. Patricia Polacco reveals at the end that the girl in the story was her! 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. The teacher guides students in a discussion about how everyone needs someone who believes in us and gives us the courage to help us face our challenges. Each student is personally guided to identify someone in their lives who can do that. 

Guiding Questions:

1. Explain why Trisha’s grandfather put honey on the book. 
2. What hopeful words did Trisha’s grandmother share with her granddaughter in the beginning of the story? 
3. What difficult circumstances did Trisha face, other than not being able to read? 
4. Do you have grandparents? Are they special to you? Why or why not? 
5. Have you ever had to move to a new place where you didn’t know anyone? What was it like? If not, imagine how you might feel about it. 
6.  Have you ever been teased or have you teased someone else? Explain your answer, especially how you felt about it.  
7. Mr. Falker helps Trish - what does he do to give her courage and confidence?  
8. Is there a Mr. Falker - a teacher, parent, coach - in your life? Share about how you are helped by that person. 
9. If you don’t have a Mr. Falker in your life, what could you do to find someone to support you? 
10. What was it like for you to learn to read? Do you need help in that area of your life?