Finding Support From Others

Lesson:

Full Group (discussion by teacher with student participation)

1.   Explain to students that achieving dreams isn't something they need to do all on their own.

2.   Explain that support comes in all shapes and sizes. Ask students who it is that supports them in their lives.

Possible answers:
• Parents
• Sister or brother
• Friend
• Teacher
• Someone at church
• Babysitter


3.   Ask students what kind of help these people provide.

Possible answers:
• Transportation to and from band practice, a movie, school, a friend's party, etc.
• Compliments, notes, cards and other things that make me feel good about myself
• Help learning a new skill such as how to use a computer
• Motivation to keep on trying
• Help studying
• Money for things I want to buy
• Help getting to school on time


 
Grade Levels: K-6 (with alternative activity for younger students)

Time: 1-2 class periods

Materials:

Handouts -- Help I Need

Objectives:

Students will:

* Realize that people who achieve their goals don't do so on their own.
* Understand what help they need to achieve their own goals.
* Understand why and how to develop a support system.


Ann’s mom has always been her biggest fan!

4.   It might seem that Ann and Liv skied across Antarctica alone. But did they? They actually had a lot of support:

• yourexpedition
• Their families
• Students around the world who inspire them
• Volvo and other sponsors who have given them the money they need


Individual Exercise

1.   Distribute the "Help I Need" handout and ask students to complete it for one of their goals. Encourage them to ask at least one person for help before the end of the day.
 
a. Option for younger students: Work as a class to complete "Help I Need" for a class goal.


Additional Exercises:

1.   If students selected a "goal buddy" in Lesson 5, have them sit down and talk about additional ways that they can offer one another support in pursuit of their goals.
2.   If students didn't select a "goal buddy" in Lesson 5, have them do so now.


Resources:

  * Visit the following Web sites, each of which has information about the support they provide and ideas for how students can find their own support: --Big Brothers Big Sisters of America --National Mentoring Partnership --YMCA of the U.S.A. --YWCA of the U.S.A.


Teachers will assess:

  * Student's understanding of what getting support means (for themselves, as well as for Ann and Liv).
  * Student's understanding of how they can recruit their own support in pursuit of their goals



 

 

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