Definition:

Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. 

In short:

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

Summary:
This classic story is about a Little Blue Engine that decides to attempt, against all odds, to pull a stuck train over the mountain. The train is full of dolls and toys for the children on the other side of the mountain. The famous, “I think I can” mantra is chanted all the way up the mountain until the train arrives at the top. This story is about courage - the willingness to try something even though it’s very difficult. It’s also about having a positive attitude - “I think I can” - that helps us get to our goal.   

Lesson Objectives: 

1. The teacher leads children in a discussion about how to face a fear of something: explain your fear to an adult you trust and make a step by step plan to face that fear, look at examples of how others have overcome that specific fear, and keep sharing about how you feel - is what you’re doing working? 

Guiding Questions: 

1. What was the train carrying that was so important to deliver? 
2. What happened to prevent the train from going up the mountain? 
3. What did the passenger engine train say when it refused to help the stuck train? 
4. What did the big strong engine say when it refused to help? 
5. Why did the old engine refuse to help? 
6. What did the Little Blue Engine chant as it went up the mountain? 
7. What did she say on her way back down the mountain? 
8. What do you think the author of this story wanted the readers to remember the most? 
9. Have you ever been stuck and needed someone to encourage you to keep trying? What happened? 
10. Ask a family member or trusted adult to help you with something that is hard for you to do, or something that makes you afraid.