Nurturing the Heart and Mind, Grades 3-5: 60 Content-Area Lessons Using the Five-Pursuits Framework

From the best-selling author of Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy comes a powerful new resource rooted in the Five Pursuits instructional framework. Learn directly from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad what drives this work and how it can transform your instruction.

“This book contains sixty pick-up-and-go, discussion-based lessons that help you spread genius and joy across the content areas—in English language arts, social studies, STEM, and arts & culture. The lessons are designed to be taught in 40 minutes or less, wherever learning happens, whether it be in the classroom, the home, or community spaces. They can be delivered by anyone with a heart to nurture and engage children, which may include teachers, paraprofessionals, parents, caregivers, leaders, afterschool coordinators, and community advocates.

Centered on culturally and historically responsive education, the lessons fuel pursuit-driven learning; students focus on topics through the lenses of identity, skills, intellect, criticality, and joy. A rich collection of meaningful topics and texts build background knowledge and spark discussions that move genius and joy into action.

Thank you for considering Nurturing the Heart and Mind.” – Dr. Gholdy Muhammad

Educator Takeaways: 

• Each Pursuit-Driven-Lesson contains a focus text, built-in background knowledge, and discussion prompts—so educators can deliver meaningful, high-impact instruction in 20-40 minutes without additional prep.
• Brings the Five Pursuits Framework to Life by seamlessly infusing identity, skills, intellect, criticality, and joy into everyday teaching. Empower educators with a powerful, flexible model for culturally and historically responsive instruction.
• Pursuit-Driven-Lessons are inspired by and designed for educators, with contributions from paraprofessionals, afterschool staff, caregivers, and community educators across content areas to spark engagement, connection, and joy.
• Includes a companion website with focus texts, classroom videos, model lessons, and tools for designing and assessing your own lessons.