by Alison Pearce Stevens
We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.
The Wright Brothers: Air Pioneers
- David White
Learn about how two American brothers beat the odds, inventing and building the world's first successful airplane in this biographical text.Pair “The Wright Brothers: Air Pioneers” with “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” and ask students to discuss the importance of mistakes. How did the Wright brothers make mistakes before building the world’s first airplane? How do students think the mistakes they made eventually led to their success? Do students think the Wright brothers had a growth mindset or fixed mindset? Why?
The Crow and the Pitcher
- 620-560 BCE
In this fable of Aesop, a thirsty crow is desperate for a drink of water.Pair “The Crow and the Pitcher” with “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” and ask students to compare the main ideas of the two texts. How does the crow learn from his mistakes and eventually succeed in his efforts? How do students think the crow’s actions would be different if he ignored his mistakes instead of learning from them?
A Quick Note on Getting Better at Difficult Things
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
In “A Quick Note on Getting better at Difficult Things,” Ta-Nehisi Coates shares his own experiences struggling with a new skill and why it’s important to do so.Pair “A Quick Note on Getting Better at Difficult Things” with “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning” and ask students to discuss the attitude they should have when trying something new. How does Ta-Nehisi Coates describe the right attitude to have when learning something new? How does this compare to the fixed mindset and growth mindset discussed in “Noticing Mistakes Boosts Learning”? How do students think Coates handles making mistakes when he’s learning a new skill?