A Flicker of Hope SEL Book Companion

Description

When students feel stuck, discouraged, or overwhelmed, even a small spark of hope can make all the difference. This A Flicker of Hope SEL Book Companion resource is a powerful social-emotional learning product designed to help students understand the impact of positive thinking, perseverance, and small acts of kindness. A Flicker of Hope SEL book companion has 36 pages and 17 meaningful activities. This printable and digital unit blends literacy skills with growth mindset and character education in an engaging, impactful way. Author Julia Cook hit a home run with this book as it is so relatable to any age student.

Built around the inspiring story by Julia Cook, this resource helps students explore how one small positive thought or action can grow into confidence, resilience, and encouragement for others.

Perfect For:

• SEL block
• Character education lessons
• Growth mindset instruction
• Classroom counseling support
• Morning meetings
• Literacy centers
• Whole-group read-aloud extensions
• Social-emotional small groups
• Sub Plans, and MORE!

 

If you are looking for a meaningful, standards-aligned SEL book companion that teaches perseverance, positive thinking, and the power of small actions, this resource helps students understand that even the smallest flicker of hope can shine brightly.

What’s Included:

This comprehensive SEL and reading unit includes:

• Predicting activity to activate prior knowledge
• Story elements graphic organizer
• Theme and message response page
• Beginning, Middle, End summary template
• True/False comprehension assessment with answer key
• “My Hope Plan” reflection activity
• Character analysis: beginning vs. end
• Positive vs. Negative Thinking sort (growth vs. fixed mindset)
• Writing prompt analyzing the “flicker of hope”
• Extension discussion questions for deeper thinking
• “Dark Clouds” reflection page for identifying negative thoughts and replacing them

Both printable and digital options are included for flexible classroom use.

Skills & Concepts Covered:

• Theme and central message
• Story elements and summarizing
• Character development
• Reading comprehension
• Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset
• Positive vs. negative thinking
• Self-reflection and emotional awareness
• Coping strategies for discouragement
• Perspective-taking
• Writing with text evidence

Students learn that hope grows when we choose positive thoughts, keep trying, practice gratitude, and help others—an essential lesson for building classroom community and emotional resilience.