Transcript Slide 1

Daily Leadership and Character
Development Resources
January 2011
Provided by the AACPS Office of Student Leadership Development and
Office of School Counseling
How can I use this calendar?
Whether you are a student, teacher, extra-curricular advisor,
or administrator, these simple activities and resources can be
incorporated, where appropriate, into curriculum, meetings,
or events. Opportunities for developing leadership and
positive character traits are ENDLESS. Use these tips to help
develop them in the classroom, on the playing field, in our
community… EVERYWHERE!
The tips presented in this calendar are merely a collection of resources and ideas for stakeholders
to consider when working with students of all ages. As always, it is important for those working
with students to know the abilities and maturity level of the group in order to select appropriate
activities. Content should always be previewed for appropriateness before presenting to students.
Monday
January 3, 2011
Defining Diligence
Help students of all ages understand what diligence means…
Diligence is defined as remaining on a course of
action despite setbacks, difficulties, or
discouragement.
-Share the above definition with students.
-Ask them to think about a time when they
were diligent.
-Have them create a story, poem, art project,
etc. to describe what happened and how they
were able continue to work towards their goal.
Tuesday
January 4, 2011
A Single Step
“The journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.”
Diligence begins with a GOAL
Have students reflect on the above quote through discussion or a
personal journal writing activity:
1. What is your goal?
2. What steps need to be taken to meet your goal?
3. What roadblocks are there to accomplishing your goal?
4. How can you overcome these roadblocks?
Wednesday
January 5, 2011
If You’re Not Excited…
…Do Something
About it
Oftentimes students may have difficulty achieving their goals because the
goals they set are not exciting or personal. Discuss with students that if
their goals don't excite them, then they’ve chosen goals which are not
their own. Ask students to think about what inspires them and what they
truly want to accomplish. Then, have students evaluate and revise their
current goals so that they are motivated and excited to work towards
them.
Thursday
January 6, 2011
Self- Discipline
A huge part of being diligent in school is the ability to eliminate
distractions and remain motivated to accomplish a task. Help students
realize the roadblocks they may face as a student each day.
-Discuss the problems students face, such as procrastinating and cutting
classes.
-Make a list of the skills and attitudes needed for students to take more
responsibility for their own learning and to reach their goals.
-Hang the list in a visible place so that students can refer to these skills and
attitudes throughout the year.
Adapted from:
http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~theborg/activities
/1chareddiligence.html
Friday
January 7, 2011
Surveying
Diligence
Help students understand diligence by talking
with the school community!
-Break students up into small groups.
-Have each group of students survey a population within the school
community (i.e. teachers, staff, younger students, older students, parents,
etc.) about being diligent. Questions could include:
-Where do you want to be in five years, in ten years?
-What are you doing now to get to where you want to
be?
-What are the most serious obstacles that prevent
people from accomplishing their goals?
-Have the groups compile their survey results and discuss what they found
while interviewing each population.
Adapted from:
http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~theborg/activities
/1chareddiligence.html
Monday
January 10, 2011
Measuring Diligence
Are You Diligent?
Have students answer True or False to the following
statements that are associated with diligence.
-I set goals for myself.
-I have a plan to meet my goals.
-I identify roadblocks to my success and try to work
around them.
- When faced with a challenge, I try to find people or
resources to help me move forward.
-I don’t give up just because something is difficult.
-I think I am/am not a person who is diligent because:
___________________
Remember: Diligence is the ONLY way to succeed!
Tuesday
January 11, 2011
Lighting the Way to
Diligence
"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent
perspiration.”
-Thomas Edison
Have students reflect on the life of Thomas Edison and his
diligence as an inventor.
-As a class, have students research the life of Thomas Edison.
-Make a list of some of the challenges Thomas Edison faced in his life.
-Have students discuss:
-How did Thomas Edison overcome the challenges in his life?
-What did Thomas Edison mean when he said that “genius is 99%
perspiration?”
-What have you learned from Thomas Edison that you can use in
your own life?
Wednesday
January 12, 2011
Understanding
Strengths
Help younger students understand their
strengths and accomplishments!
Have students draw a picture of themselves doing
something they can do independently.
Lead students in the following discussion:
-How did you learn to do this?
-Was it easy to do this at first? Did you have to work at
it?
-What were some of the challenges you faced in learning
this skill?
-How do you feel now that you can do this by yourself?
Thursday
January 13, 2011
Stop Procrastinating!
Help students understand how to be proactive in meeting their goals
Procrastination means continually putting off working towards a task or goal.
This can be detrimental to a student meeting his/her goals and can cause
additional stress and challenges.
Share with students the following tips , from www.myGoals.com , to curb
procrastination:
-State your intentions. Identifying your goal and
how you want to accomplish it is a powerful first step
towards completion.
-Take some step, no matter how small, towards
reaching your goal. Small steps eventually add up
to big strides.
-Set a goal plan, which spells out the steps you will
take to reach your goal and a timeline for completion.
Friday
January 14, 2011
Diligence Portfolio
Help students create a portfolio of school and
community-based resources
-Break students up into groups.
-Have each group research different school and community-based
resources that are available for students who are having difficulty
with their schoolwork. For example, groups could research
community organizations on the Internet or interview the school
guidance counselor.
-Each group should list the resource, contact information, and
what services are offered.
-Compile the groups’ research and make a portfolio to copy and
distribute to all students in the class and/or school.
Adapted from:
http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~theborg/activities
/1chareddiligence.html
Monday
January 17, 2011
Remembering Dr.
King
Even though students are not in school today, help
them make connections to the life of Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was an important figure in
the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout his life, he
faced many struggles. Have students visit The King
Center (www.thekingcenter.org) and research the life of
Dr. King. Ask them to identify the challenges he faced
and how he overcame them. What can students learn
from Dr. King that they can use in their everyday lives?
Tuesday
January 18, 2011
Do Not Put it in Park…
Drive Straight
Through
“The road to success is dotted with many
tempting parking places.”
~Author Unknown
-Share the above quote with students and ask them what they think it
means.
-Have students identify a goal that they are trying to accomplish.
-Have them identify what challenges or “parking places” have
presented themselves, which have made them want to stop pursuing
the goal.
-Discuss with students what they can do to be diligent and continue
towards their goal.
Wednesday
January 19, 2011
Smile for Diligence
Create a masterpiece of diligence
Allow students to use the lens of a camera to capture
diligence in action
-Give each student or group of students a camera (disposable or digital) to
take pictures over the course of a week that
depict diligence in action.
-Have students use the pictures to create a collage,
PowerPoint presentation, or movie about what it
means to be diligent.
Thursday
January 20, 2011
Recognizing Diligence
Empower students to recognize diligence
around them!
-Divide the class into small groups.
-Have each group select a person in their
school or community that exemplifies diligence and
perseverance.
-Each group should create a product to showcase how that
person has persevered in their life. For example, groups
could create posters, songs, poems, etc.
-Invite the selected recipients to a recognition ceremony
where each group can present their ‘award.’
Friday
January 21, 2011
Try and Try Again
“People are about as happy as they make
their minds up to be.”
-Abraham Lincoln
-Read the above quote to students.
-Explain that our 16th President experienced great success in his life, but
also many challenges. For example, he lost a seat for the legislature in
1832, lost a seat in Congress in 1843, lost a seat in the
Senate in 1855, and was defeated for Vice President in
1856 before becoming President.
-Ask students to reflect on the above quote and to discuss
what qualities Mr. Lincoln must have had to continue to
work towards his goals despite setbacks.
Adapted from
http://www.kellybear.com/TeacherArticles/T
eacherTip58.html
Monday
January 24, 2011
I Wonder…
“Imagine what life would be like if we approached
each important task with discipline and focus.
If we always did our best. If we persevered even
when things became difficult or discouraging.
So much more could be accomplished if we were
diligent.”
Read the above quote to students.
Ask them to brainstorm what would be different
about the world if people were more diligent.
Adapted from:
http://webinstituteforteachers.org/~theborg/activities
/1chareddiligence.html
Tuesday
January 25, 2011
A Lesson in
Diligence
Pass it On…
Now that students understand what
being diligent requires, have
them create an activity, lesson, story,
or game to explain diligence to younger students.
Present these activities to younger students in
your school, your cluster, or a community
organization.
Make Diligence CONTAGIOUS!
Wednesday
January 26, 2011
A Guide to Diligence
Visit GoodCharacter.com’s
Guide for Perseverance and Diligence
(http://www.goodcharacter.com/ISOC/Diligence.html)
An online resource containing:
-self evaluation quizzes
-discussion questions
-writing assignments
-students activities
Thursday
January 27, 2011
It’s Our Duty
Diligence…
Do Your Duty to the Best
of Your Ability
Have students use the above slogan to create a poster, song,
public service announcement, etc. about diligence.
Remind students that being diligent
means giving 100% of their talents and
efforts to accomplish a goal!
Friday
January 28, 2011
Cut It Out
Have students use recycled magazines
and newspapers to cut out pictures,
articles, advertisements, etc. that
depict diligence.
Then, have students hang
the cut-outs on a bulletin
board or wall to showcase
what diligence means.
Monday
January 31, 2011
What’s Next?
Thank you for viewing the January Leadership and Character
Development Calendar. We hope that you have gained valuable
resources and ideas regarding student leadership and character
development.
Don’t forget to download next month’s tips by visiting:
http://tinyurl.com/AACPSLead
Submit your own resources by emailing [email protected]
Please share this calendar with family, friends,
students, etc.