Discipline and Determination

When faced with difficult challenges, how should we respond? Discover true determination through the brave stories of two young teenagers. Learn how to brave the endless deep of the ocean and learn how to renavigate life without sight. Part of courage and discipline is being disciplined, as students will see. Evaluate character development and attributes that contribute to heroic actions. Don’t miss these stories of discipline and determination!
 
Day and Time: Thursdays, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET
Class Duration: 4 Weeks
Dates: February 6-27, 2025
Recommended for: Ages 11+ / Grades 6-7
Teacher: TTK Faculty
Required materials: 
Call It Courage, by Armstrong Sperry
Follow My Leader, by James B. Garfield
 
Call It Courage, by Armstrong Sperry
Mafatu was afraid of the sea. It had taken his mother when he was a baby, and it seemed to him that the sea gods sought vengeance at having been cheated of Mafatu. So, though he was the son of the Great Chief of Hikueru, a race of Polynesians who worshipped courage, and he was named Stout Heart, he feared and avoided the sea, till everyone branded him a coward. When he could no longer bear their taunts and jibes, he determined to conquer that fear or be conquered—so he went off in his canoe, alone except for his little dog and pet albatross. This is the story of how his courage grew and how he finally returned home. This is a legend. It happened many years ago, but even today the people of Hikueru sing this story and tell it over their evening fires.
 
Follow My Leader, by James B. Garfield
After Jimmy is blinded in an accident with a firecracker, he has to relearn all the things he used to know - how to get dressed, how to find his way around the house, even how to eat. With the help of a determined therapist, he learns to read Braille and use a cane. Then he's given the chance to have a guide dog. Learning to work with Leader is not easy, but Jimmy tries harder than he ever has before. Can Leader really give him the ability and the confidence he needs?
 
See more literature classes: thethinkingkid.org/literature
See more classes for ages 11+ / grades 6-7: thethinkingkid.org/grades-6-7