Daily Leadership and Character Development Resources

1. Leadership/ Character Development Calendar Daily Leadership and Character Development Resources Provided by the AACPS Office of Student Leadership Development and Office of School Counseling January 2011 Diligence

2. Leadership/ Character Development Calendar 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.

3. 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.

4. 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: What is your goal? What steps need to be taken to meet your goal? What roadblocks are there to accomplishing your goal? How can you overcome these roadblocks?

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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!

9. 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?

10. 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?

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.’

17. 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/TeacherTip58.html

18. 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

19. 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!

20. 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

21. 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!

22. 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.

23. 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 hjenkins@aacps.org Please share this calendar with family, friends, students, etc.