All About Heroes

What Makes a Hero?

First grade is excited to begin their Hero study. We have been  reading about various heroes and sharing amazement and insight into what these individuals have accomplished and what makes them a hero. 

Here are a few inspiring heroes that overcame tremendous obstacles as young children:  

Last week we read about Ron McNair, in Ron’s Big Mission, which was a true story about a young boy in 1959 segregated North Carolina, who stood up for his right to get a library card and take out books from his public library. Despite his fear, Ron was determined to challenge a rule/law that “only white people can take out books.” That day, instead of reading the books on airplanes and flight and leaving them behind in the library, Ron persists through peaceful resistance, is finally issued a card, and takes the books home. Ron McNair continues to be determined to succeed with his dreams and becomes a scientist and astronaut. First graders were first, amazed and upset about such a law and then inspired by his courage to not give up till is was changed.

One of our upper school book buddies, Elizabeth, read the inspiring true story Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World’s Fastest Woman. 

As Elizabeth read this story, the first graders and I listened intently about how young Wilma overcame unbelievable obstacles of polio and injuries. When doctors said she would never walk again, Wilma vowed not only would she walk again, but she would run. Wilma’s determination, hard work and concentration led her to the 1960 Olympics in Rome where she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track. Elizabeth, a track athlete herself, was moved and inspired as she read with passion and emotion, capturing our attention till the end of the book then led a discussion on this amazing story of Wilma Rudolph.  

Here are some comments from first graders:

She didn’t give up.

She had faith in herself.

She was sick but did her exercises and her family helped her.

She took off her brace and started walking.

She had polio and hurt her leg but never gave up.

She was brave enough to do all of that even when she lost an important (high school) basketball game and went on to do track and field.

She went to college before anyone in her family.

Concentration helped her take her mind off her hurt leg so she could keep running and cross the finish line.

This week first graders will be choosing their own hero to research. We look forward to delving into this study over the next few months. I cannot wait to be inspired by your first graders and the heroes they will be learning about and sharing with one another!