Henry David Thoreau – Perseverance
“Men are born to succeed, not to fail.”
Henry David Thoreau
Big Idea
Setting aside the 19th century gender-biased language and applying the wisdom to all students, Thoreau is saying something important about success and positive thinking. If students believe they can succeed, then they are halfway home. The power of positive thinking is undeniable. But failure is also crucial. Students must find a balance here between positive thinking and acceptance of their imperfections. Only then will they learn how to persevere.
Claim
According to American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau, we should focus on what we can do, not what we can’t do. We have an innate ability to succeed.
Counterclaim
We are born to make mistakes. Learning from these mistakes is the foundation of our success.
Essential
Question
Do we have control over our success?
Student Video
TED Talk: “The power of believing you can improve” – Perseverance
In the Ted Talk “The power of believing that you can improve,” psychologist and Stanford professor, Carol Dweck, delivers her findings about growth and fixed mindsets, which can help viewe ...
“Fly High, Bessie Coleman” – Perseverance
The informational text, Fly High, Bessie Coleman by Jane Sutcliffe in an excellent account of the first African American female. I would hook readers into the topic of perseverance by using the Henry ...
