I Bet I Can: Build a Bridge
I Bet I Can Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
A journey of discovery and engineering, where young readers follow the protagonist as they take on the challenge to build a bridge that connects their small village to the neighboring town.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you learn about building bridges from this book?
How do you think teamwork helped in building the bridge in the story?
If you could build a bridge to anywhere, where would it lead and why?
What materials would you use to build your bridge and how would you design it?
How did the characters in the book handle challenges they faced while building the bridge?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use visual aids or building blocks to physically demonstrate bridge-building concepts discussed in the book.
Encourage your child to draw or design their own bridge on paper and discuss the materials and support needed as described in the book.
Connect the story to real-life by discussing any local bridges and their importance to community and transportation.
Praise the effort and creativity your child shows in discussing and designing bridges, fostering a positive attitude towards problem-solving.
Ask your child how they would lead a team to build a bridge, emphasizing teamwork and leadership qualities covered in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence pays off
Explanation: The story follows a young protagonist who faces several challenges while trying to build a bridge but continues to try different methods until successful.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of persisting with tasks or problems in their daily activities, despite initial failures or difficulties.
Example Lesson: Creative problem solving
Explanation: As the protagonist experiments with various materials and designs, they learn to think creatively and adapt their strategies.
Real-World Application: Children can apply creative thinking skills to approach their school projects or troubleshooting during play in innovative ways.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The protagonist seeks advice and help from friends and family, illustrating that complex tasks can be accomplished with combined efforts.
Real-World Application: This demonstrates to children the value of working with others to achieve goals, be it in team sports, group projects, or family activities.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Each unsuccessful attempt at building the bridge teaches the protagonist something new, contributing to the final success.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that mistakes are learning opportunities and that resilience is key in all learning processes.
Example Lesson: Importance of planning and preparation
Explanation: The protagonist learns to design and plan before execution, which is critical in building a successful bridge.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson to their everyday tasks and understand that preparation can improve the outcome in academic and personal tasks.