Academic
Performance
Cheating
Yourself — Surveys of American students indicate
that cheating has become a big problem in our nation's
schools. The attitude that cheating is okay brings with
it consequences that can damage the future of individual
students, as well as our nation as a whole. Students consider
the natural consequences of cheating.
Key Idea: Cheating in School
Character Traits: Honesty - Integrity - Trustworthiness
Education:
Doorway to Success * — Every student is fortunate
to be able to come to school each day, an opportunity
many children around the world do not have.
Key Ideas: Love of learning - School pride
- Choices - Teacher appreciation
Character Traits: Responsibility - Gratitude
Note: This message and lesson plan also work well
for American Education Week or National Education Week.
Learning
to Learn * — Learning how to study not only
helps students become better learners, it can help them
become better people. This message and lesson plan provide
students with the opportunity to consider all the great
benefits that come with learning strong study skills.
Key Ideas: Being a successful student requires
strong study skills - Learning how to study
Character Traits: Responsibility - Self-discipline
- Perseverance
Note: This message and lesson plan also work well
for National School Success Month in September.
The
Power of Knowledge — As a young person, Ben
Carson overcame many obstacles, including an academic
challenge. He eventually became a world-renowned pediatric
neurosurgeon. His story can inspire all of us to broaden
our knowledge with books and reap the many rewards that
come from making a lifelong habit of reading.
Key Ideas: Importance of academic achievement -
Knowledge as a key to success - Ben Carson
Character Traits: Responsibility - Perseverance
Standardized
Testing: Getting Ready — It can be difficult
not to worry or get stressed about standardized tests.
This message and activities help students identify ways
to "let advance worrying become advance thinking
and planning" (Winston Churchill). Students think
about ways to take charge of their worries, think ahead,
and plan in advance so they are better equipped to do
their best at crunch time.
Key Ideas: Test anxiety - Planning ahead
Character Traits: Responsibility - Self-discipline
- Confidence
Standardized
Testing: What's Up with Testing? — "All
of us perform better and more willingly when we know why
we're doing what we have been told or asked to do."
- Zig Ziglar. Students examine the reasons behind standardized
testing and give voice to some of the thoughts about it.
Key Ideas: Standardized testing - Test anxiety
- Understanding the reason for tests
Character Trait: Responsibility
Staying
on Task — How many times have you said,
"Let's get back to work" or "Pay attention,
please." Learning to pay attention can be a difficult
skill to learn for some kids. The best place to start
is to explore classroom distractions, how to block them,
and how to create a "question safe environment."
Key Idea: The importance of learning to focus and pay
attention
Character Traits: Self-responsibility - Self-control
- Discipline
|
