What happens?
The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Lion all go to visit the Wizard to get what they always wanted. He fills the Scarecrow’s head with bran, mixed with pins and needles, he gives the Tin Woodman a heart made from silk and stuffed with sawdust. The Lion gets a drink that the Wizard calls courage. Happy with his success the Wizard starts to worry about how he will make Dorothy’s wish come true since it will need more than just belief and imagination.
Have a think ..
Take a moment to think about these questions:
“When I get used to my brains I shall know everything.”
Do you think the Scarecrow will know more with his new brains, or the Tin Woodman will care more with his heart, or the Lion will be braver with his courage?
all these people make me do things that everybody knows can’t be done?
Do you think the Wizard has an excuse for playing all these tricks on the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Lion?
Can you think of a time when you felt you just couldn’t do something, but managed it anyway?
Focus on .. growth mindset
This chapter focuses on the idea of wanting to be smart, be kind and have courage. These are all different parts of having a growth mindset.
A growth mindset is believing in the power of yourself and your brain. Our mindset helps us look at problems and mistakes in a positive way. Having a growth mindset means that we know, with practice, we will get better at something.
Find out more
When you read The wonderful Wizard of Oz, you notice that the Scarecrow often has good ideas, but he thinks he needs brains; the Tin Woodman shows how kind he is, but he thinks he needs a heart; and the Lion says he’s a coward, but actually fights for his friends all the time.
These characters did not need brains, a heart and courage – they needed to believe in themselves and learn that they would get better by continuing to try and with the help of their friends.
Challenge yourself!
Think about having a growth mindset: how would that look for starting secondary school? Make a list of goals that you want to achieve in S1. Challenge yourself to learn new things and have an open and growth mindset.
How could you change a fixed mindset to a positive one? What words and phrases could you change to be more positive?
More to explore
If you loved this chapter, why not check out some more ideas
More to read
These books should be available through your secondary school librarian. If we’ve found a free version online, we’ve added the link after each book.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. Bilbo Baggins doesn’t think he could manage an adventure, but now he’s off to rob a dragon.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Auggie’s appearance is affected by his medical condition. He stands out when he wants to fit in, and he gets bullied. It is his inner strength that helps him through.
A wrinkle in time by Madeleine L’Engle. Meg has no self-confidence, but finds inner strength and power to go on an amazing quest to find her missing dad.
Matilda by Roald Dahl is the story of a wee girl with a massive attitude that helps her overcomes a school bully.
Puss in Boots. A wise and crafty cat manages to build up his master’s fortunes through his own abilities. Read online.
