Imagine that Gerald tried to dance to a different song and still was not able to dance. In this imaginary scenario, is there something good or valuable in trying even if he failed?

Giraffes Can’t Dance - Prindle Institute Giraffes Can’t Dance - Prindle Institute

Are there some things that you are good at right now that you may not be good at in the future? Can you come up with examples? Gerald the giraffe is clumsy, and thinks he’s bad at dancing. The other animals see him and his clumsiness and conclude that giraffes can’t dance. Gerald assumed that because he was clumsy, he couldn’t dance. Is that a good assumption for him to make? Why or why not? Gerald, after being laughed at, feels embarrassed and dejected. He says that he is useless. This raises important questions for children to consider like what is the relationship between the activities they want to be able to perform and their own self-worth. Does being unable to sing or dance or walk even make someone a lesser person? Also, how important are those activities in general?The other animals assumed that because Gerald was clumsy he couldn’t dance. Is that a good assumption for them to make? Why or why not? Are there some things that you are not good at right now that you may be good at in the future? Can you come up with examples? Students can reflect on how they feel when it turns out they can or cannot do that new activity. What is it like to discover that you can read a big book after all? Alternatively, what is it like to discover that you cannot do something like dunking a basketball? Is there something good in having tried and failed? Questions for Philosophical Discussion Abilities

Giraffes Cant Dance: Books - AbeBooks Giraffes Cant Dance: Books - AbeBooks

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andrede and Guy Parker-Rees raises issues regarding people’s abilities. Gerald is a clumsy giraffe who would like to be able to dance, but cannot. The book provides an opportunity for students to discuss how they know what their abilities are. Students can consider why they want to be able to do certain things: sing, dance, play sports, etc. Are those things good by themselves?