My Favorite Childhood Story: "The Little Engine That Could"

My favorite childhood story is, "The Little Engine That Could". This children's story has such a deep meaning. The plot involves a train that has to go over a mountain but doesn't have an engine that's strong enough to pull it over. Some many of the larger trains made so many excuses to why they couldn't do the job. One day, a little engine came across the train and decided to give it try. Although he didn't think that he could because his engine was so much smaller. He had the will power and kept telling itself that "It thinks that he could." After repeating this chant over and over again, the engine reached it's goal by pulling the train over the top of the mountain. The little engine reassured itself that it made it through and knew that it possible all along.
This story's theme is so real that it compares to how children think in the classroom. So many children have doubts about making good grades and succeeding in their school work because of how hard it may be or the lack of support they have at home. We have to encourage our children to try and do their best. Explain to them that a challenge is not a negative thing. And to just know that they have overcome their obstacle can make room for a long term reward in the future. Children will have to do as  the "little engine that could" and have a little pep talk from time to time, repeating their favorite motivation phrase such as "I know I can", "I'm not going to stop" or "There is nothing that I can't do", to get them through. Once they overcome their hurdle, they can have a mental celebration and say " I did it" or "Ms. Faison, was right. I can do anything that I put my mind to".