Life Skills:

• Social & Civic Responsibility
• Employability

Time Frame:
4 class periods that run 60 minutes each.

Group Size:
Individual

Summary:
These activities address the importance of a positive attitude in life and on the job.

Main Curriculum Tie:
Administrative Procedures
Standard 4 Objective 2
Explain the attitudes that contribute to a successful job experience.

Materials:
A great reference is "How to Get and A in Attitude" article from Career World, January, 1998.

Web Sites

• Weekly Reader
  To subscribe to a teen magazine called Career World (excellent) go to this site. Career World has wonderful articles about related topics.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
As a result of these activities, students should have a greater understanding of how attitude influences their effectiveness and the attitudes of people around them.

Instructional Procedures:
Initially, students are given the worksheet for terms, to be used like a listening log. They are to fill in the column named "Your Definition" individually based on common knowledge, before class discussion. All of these terms are familiar, but often students have the varying definitions in mind. This is effective for assessing prior knowledge. Then as a class, we discuss the technical definitions of terms so they are familiar with them when they are explored in detail. One activity that the kids enjoy is making a T-Chart of characteristics of positive and negative people. I first have them think of the most positive, happy, energetic person they know, then list that person's characteristics. Then do the same for the most depressing, pessimistic person they can imagine. Using visualization brings this to life. They design the T-chart individually, share with a partner, then we make a class chart on the board. See attachments. Another fun activity when discussing positive self talk is to read "The Engine Who Could." They love to make connections with the book about how they talk to themselves and the outcomes.

Attachments

• Attitude_and_Self_Concept_Jeopardy_PowerPoint.ppt
  Jeopardy game on self esteem and attitude issues and terms.
• Attitude_Terms.pdf
  Introduction activity where students define terms based on prior knowledge, then write the technical term as they are discussed. Can be used as a listening log.
• Positive___Negative_Attitude_Traits.pdf
  T-chart handout for Think-Pair-Share activity.
• Internet_Activity_on_Self_Esteem.pdf
  Assignment sheet for internet activity.

Web Sites

• Barksdale Self Esteem Evaluation
  This is a quick self evaluation that helps students reflect on how they feel about themselves. Great introductory activity for self esteem.

Bibliography:
Office Skills, The Finishing Touch, South-Western Educational Publishing. Barrett, Kimbrell, Odgers. ISBN 0-318-20550-0.

Author:
Traquel Dayley

Created Date :
Sep 18 2003 16:41 PM