Teaching Growth Mindset with The Humpty Dumpty Read Aloud Companion

Incorporating a growth mindset in the classroom can significantly impact student progress and resilience. Teaching growth mindset is essential for helping students understand that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. One effective way to introduce this concept is through engaging stories like “After the Fall: The Story of How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again.” This blog post will outline my read-aloud companion for the book and show how it can be a powerful tool for teaching growth mindset in your classroom 📚✨.

Teaching Growth Mindset with The Humpty Dumpty Read Aloud Companion


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Teaching Growth Mindset

Successfully teaching growth mindset requires consistent practice and reinforcement. Here are some tips to help you get started:

  1. Model a Growth Mindset: Demonstrate perseverance and a positive attitude in the face of challenges. 💪 Share personal stories of when you had to overcome obstacles. 🏆

  2. Praise Effort, Not Just Achievement: Focus on the process and effort students put into their work, rather than just the end result. 🌱

  3. Use Growth Mindset Language: Incorporate phrases like “not yet” and “let’s try another strategy” to encourage students to keep going. 💬🚀

  4. Incorporate Books: Stories are powerful tools for illustrating growth mindset. 📚 Books like “After the Fall: The Story of How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again” provide relatable narratives that students can connect with. 🌟

For more ideas, check out this post on instilling a growth mindset in the classroom.

Teaching Growth Mindset with The Humpty Dumpty Read Aloud Companion



After the Fall: The Story of How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again

After the Fall” by Dan Santat is a heartwarming story about Humpty Dumpty’s journey to overcome his fear and get back up after his great fall. The book beautifully illustrates themes of resilience, courage, and the power of perseverance, making it a perfect read for teaching growth mindset.



Humpty’s transformation from a fearful character to one who bravely faces his challenges resonates deeply with students, inspiring them to adopt a growth mindset.



After the Fall Read Aloud Companion

Our read-aloud companion for “After the Fall” is designed to enhance the story and make it more engaging for students. This resource is packed with activities that help build strong reading skills and encourage a growth mindset.


Each of the activities is designed to reinforce the themes of resilience and growth mindset in a meaningful and engaging way. By using this read-aloud companion, you can help your students understand that challenges are opportunities for growth and that they have the power to improve through effort and perseverance 🌟.

You’ll love this resource because it’s designed to make your teaching life easier and more effective! 🌟 With ready-to-use activities that require no prep, you can save valuable time. The printable and digital formats provide flexibility for any teaching situation 📖.


Our growth mindset lessons include funny and meaningful content that encourages resilience 🧠. It’s perfect for kicking off the academic year and comes with everything your substitute needs for a smooth day 🍎📝.

Teaching Growth Mindset Activities

Here’s a detailed look at the activities included in the “After the Fall” read-aloud companion and how they help instill a growth mindset in your classroom:

Sticky Notes

These printable sticky notes are designed to be placed in the book as you read aloud. They contain targeted questions and think-aloud prompts that guide students to think critically about the story and its themes.


This activity encourages students to reflect on Humpty Dumpty’s journey, fostering a deeper understanding of resilience and perseverance. The questions help students connect the story to their own experiences, promoting a growth mindset by showing that everyone faces challenges they can overcome.

Reading Comprehension Questions

This set includes ten comprehension questions that can be answered independently, in small groups, as a whole class, or with a partner.

Teaching Growth Mindset with The Humpty Dumpty Read Aloud Companion


These questions encourage students to think deeply about the story and its characters. Discussing the answers helps students develop critical thinking skills and understand that learning is a process that involves effort and reflection.

Compare and Contrast Venn Diagram

Students use the Venn diagram to compare Humpty Dumpty before and after his fall, examining his characteristics and actions.


This activity helps students visualize the concept of change and growth. By analyzing how Humpty Dumpty evolves, students see that improvement and development are possible through persistence and effort.

After The Fall Spider Diagram

This diagram allows students to describe Humpty Dumpty at different points in the story, focusing on his attributes and changes.


By mapping out Humpty Dumpty’s journey, students can better understand the process of growth and overcoming fears. It reinforces the idea that setbacks are part of learning and growing.

QR Code Vocabulary Activity

Students answer questions about vocabulary words from the story and then scan QR codes to check their answers.

Teaching Growth Mindset with The Humpty Dumpty Read Aloud Companion


This interactive activity makes vocabulary learning fun and engaging. It shows students that mastering new words and concepts can be an exciting challenge, promoting a growth mindset by emphasizing the importance of continuous learning.

Design a New Humpty Dumpty

Students think about how Humpty Dumpty changes after the fall and design what he looks and acts like post-transformation.


This creative task allows students to express their understanding of character development and growth. It encourages them to think about how overcoming challenges can lead to positive change and personal growth.

Perseverance Activity

Students write and draw about a time when they had to use perseverance, connecting their experiences to Humpty Dumpty’s story.


Reflecting on their own experiences with perseverance helps students internalize the concept of a growth mindset. It makes the idea more personal and relevant, showing them that persistence can lead to success in their own lives.


How to Use The Read Aloud Companion

To get the most out of the read-aloud companion, follow these steps:

  1. Introduce the Book: Start by introducing “After the Fall” to your students. Discuss the themes of the book and how they relate to growth mindset.

  2. Use Questioning: During the read-aloud, use the printable sticky notes to guide your questioning. This helps keep students engaged and encourages deeper thinking.

  3. Work Through Activities: After reading the book, work through the activities with your students. Use the Venn diagram and spider diagram to analyze Humpty Dumpty’s character, and let students express their creativity with the design and perseverance activities.

  4. Encourage Discussion: Facilitate discussions about the story and its themes. Encourage students to share their thoughts and experiences with perseverance and growth mindset.

Teaching Growth Mindset with The Humpty Dumpty Read Aloud Companion



Teaching growth mindset with engaging stories like “After the Fall” can make a significant difference in your students’ attitudes and achievements. Our read-aloud companion is designed to make this process fun and effective. Try it out in your classroom and see the transformation in your students’ resilience and perseverance.

Give our read-aloud companion a try and share your experiences in the comments below. We’d love to hear how it worked for you and any other ideas you have for teaching growth mindset! 😊

Happy Teaching,

The Butterfly Teacher

Tanya G Marshall The Butterfly Teacher Transforming learning for all students

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