Lesson plan
Perseverance to Achieve Goals
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to define the word "perseverance" and set goals for themselves in a classroom task and activity.
Introduction
(10 minutes)
- Gather the class together in a circle, either seated or standing.
- Divide them into groups of four.
- Tell them that you will give each group a quote, and they are supposed to read the quote three times.
- Ask them to text code (underline and circle important words or phrases) on the piece of paper.
- Pass out one quote to each group.
- Give groups 3–4 minutes to read through the quotes and text code.
- Ring chime after time has ended.
- Ask each group to share their quote, their text coding, and what stood out for them.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(15 minutes)- Collect quotes.
- Gather students together in a circle, seated or standing.
- Write the word "perseverance" on the board.
- Ask, "What does perseverance mean to you? Can you give an example of someone who has persevered?"
- Write the following definition of perseverance on the board: "persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success."
- Ask students to answer the following questions with a partner, giving them one minute for each question:
- How can perseverance help us in school?
- How can perseverance help us in life?
- How can you stay motivated and persevere amidst challenges?
- Bring the class back together.
- Invite students to share what they discussed in pairs with the whole class. Remind them of the prompt: How can you stay motivated and persevere amidst challenges?
Guided Practice
(5 minutes)- Explain that setting goals and monitoring these goals can support perseverance, motivation, and grit.
- Tell students that they will be creating a Perseverance Journal to generate and monitor goals.
- Share that we can have both personal and academic goals. Offer examples of personal goals from your life. For example, maybe you are trying to learn how to swim faster or eat healthier. Share an example of an academic goal you had before you were a teacher, such as getting good grades.
- Show the class the sample Perseverance Journal you made before class.
- Explain that they will design the cover with inspirational images and words, and they'll use their journals to keep track of goals and motivational quotes.
- Pass out materials to make journals.
- Review the Perseverance Journal worksheet with the class.
Independent working time
(15 minutes)- Dismiss students back to their seats to work on making their Perseverance Journals.
Differentiation
Enrichment: Have advanced students set more than one goal.
Support: Work one-on-one or in small groups with some students while making their Perseverance Journals.
Assessment
(5 minutes)- During the independent working time, walk around to observe students one-on-one and check for understanding of the term perseverance.
Review and closing
(10 minutes)- Join the class back in a circle, and ask them to bring their journals.
- Ask if anyone would like to share their journal design, one goal, and one motivational quote.
- Ask, "When would be a good time to check back in with your goals?"
- Explain to the class that they will have time every week to check back in with the progress of their goal, and to write more goals in their journal.
- Ask students where they can keep their journals.
- Ask, "How can we stay motivated to persevere?"
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