I am Wilma Rudolph
From Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum · 2021
25 minK1st2nd3rd4th5thSocial StudiesSocial-Emotional LearningHealth
Summary
Yadina feels like giving up after a setback, so the friends visit a young Wilma Rudolph — who overcame polio and a leg brace to become the fastest woman in the world at the 1960 Olympics. The episode (which also features Jonas Salk) is a story about resilience and proving doubters wrong.
Viewer safety
All ages
Common Sense Media — not yet ratedIMDb Parents Guide — not yet rated
Our rating is a quick teacher-to-teacher guide — preview before showing.
Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Wilma Rudolph was told she would never walk normally — she went on to win three Olympic gold medals.
- What obstacles did Wilma Rudolph face when she was young?
- Who or what helped her keep going? What does it mean to have a support system?
- Have you ever been told you couldn't do something? How did that make you feel?
- What does resilience mean to you?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: resilience, obstacle, Paralympic, determination, sprint.
Try it: Draw a timeline of Wilma Rudolph's life. Mark two obstacles she faced and two accomplishments she achieved.