Overview For Teachers

ATTITUDE: The ability to demonstrate a positive, optimistic outlook; take responsibility for actions; use appropriate language; avoid gossip; show politeness; smile on a regular basis; to be enthusiastic and self-confident; take direction; to be eager and motivated to complete tasks.
 

PURPOSE:
Upon completion of this module, the student will understand the importance of bringing a good attitude to the
classroom and the workplace. In addition, the objectives listed below should be met.
 

OBJECTIVES:
 Ability to recognize the difference between a positive and negative attitude
 Ability to understand and demonstrate the characteristics of a good attitude
 Ability to understand how your attitude affects your daily life and future
 

OVERVIEW:
This module concentrates on teaching students to recognize and display the proper personal attitudes and develop
realistic expectations for themselves in school and at work. The key to obtaining the proper attitude is to always strive to do the best job at every task. It is also important to recognize that attitudes are not set in stone. Students (and teachers) have the ability to change their attitudes. Positive thinking will do much to improve how students feel about themselves and their abilities. In addition, students will have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the importance of a good attitude by participating in various activities designed to stimulate thought and discussion.
 

TEACHERS: WHAT ARE YOU OBSERVING?
What does attitude look like in the classroom or in school in general? A great way to answer this and get things going is through engagement with the students. Ask your students these questions:
1. What does positive attitude look like in class?
2. How does your attitude affect other students? Example: student activities, sports, or hallway/lunchroom
interactions
3. What does positive attitude look like within your learning?
 

RELEVANCY OF ATTITUDE Why is this important to your students?
Employers have ranked good attitude as one of the most significant employability skills needed in the workplace.
 

 

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LESSON:

The Hot Seat!
Time Allocation: 20 minutes
Materials/Resources: paper, pens/ pencils, computer with internet access/ projector (teacher), computers / tablets/ smartphones (students - optional)

 

WATCH THE OVERVIEW VIDEO:

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ANTICIPATORY SET IDEA:

 Show students the following video: 

     o STOP the video at 8:00 minutes

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 Ask students to share their thoughts about the video and then ask them what they believe is the over- arching theme of her speech.

     o Hopefully you get answers such as being positive, having a positive attitude, having self - confidence, etc.

DIRECT INSTRUCTION

 Start by telling students that the main focus for the lesson is about having a positive attitude.

     o How do you get a positive attitude?

     o Are we born with them? Do we have to learn how to be positive?

     o What’s the benefit of being positive at school or at work ?

 Explain that one aspect of attitude is self - confidence.

     o Ask students how self - confidence plays a part in a person’s attitude?

 Share the following quote with them:

     o “When you feed your mind with positive affirmations, information, books, conversations, audio programs, and thoughts, you

          develop a more positive attitude and personality. You become more influential and persuasive. You enjoy greater self - esteem

          and you learn how to be confident.” - Brian Tracy

 Ask students what this quote means to them? How can they simplify it?

GUIDED ACTIVITY:

 Have students either sit or stand in a circle (sitting would be preferred) shoulder to shoulder with their classmates next to them.

 Have one student to volunteer to be in the “hot seat” which is located in the middle of the circle.

 Choose one student to start and they will say a word or short phrase about something they like about the person in the hot seat.

 Each student should get a turn being in the hot seat.

     o If you run out of time, continue the activity the next class period or trying doing one student at the end of every class.

     o This can be very affirming to students who may not hear enough positive things about themselves.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING
 Technology Use: You could create a Kahoot ( Kahoot.com ) which is an interactive game that students can log into from their computers or phones and it will give you instant feedback.
 Non-Technology Use: “Take and Pass” – Students will get in groups and will have one piece of paper per group. Then pose the question , “How does your self - confidence affect your attitude ?” One student will start and will write their response on the piece of paper. When they finish, they will pass it to the person on their right and they will then write down their response. Students will continue to write down their responses and pass the piece of paper until time is up. When time is up, students will debrief and will then share their responses with the class.

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ETHICAL SCENARIO--Optional (if not using, skip  to "review and closing")

The Ethical Choice Scenarios have been developed to provide teachers with the ability to make the material applicable to real-life and relevant to the students. Within this guide, directions and prompts for the teacher will be in BLUE for ease of facilitation.

 

READ THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO OUT LOUD TO THE STUDENTS:

JUST A JOB

You had been recommended for this position by a dear family friend and after an impressive interview, and some humility, you were given the job! However, now that you are actually doing job … it’s not fun. You are having to work really hard and you aren’t sure why you want to continue since you know your mom will pay your bills, if necessary. You are thinking of quitting. You think to yourself, “What does it really matter anyway?” This evening, your job is to clean the supply room . You’re asking yourself – “how is this an important job?” As you are contemplating things, a new employee comes in and starts cleaning. You think to yourself, “Have at it! This is just a job.” You then pull out your phone and start playing your favorite game as you sit on a container in the supply room . The next day as you are coming in to work the manager stops you saying, “Great job cleaning the supply room yesterday . That kind of work ethic will get you my job! Thanks for having a great attitude about it, I know sometimes we don’t do the most glamourous tasks around here, but these things are important.” The manager then looks to you and asks , “Were you able to show our newest team member the ropes in cleaning up back there?”

ASK THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: (display them to the class if necessary)
1. How many of you have already been faced with this scenario, or a similar one, in real life?
2. What impact do you think your attitude had on this situation?

3. With this situation in mind, what could be some of the long- term consequences of your attitude?

4. In your opinion, is it just a job?

5. What impact does your attitude have on others in this situation?

GUIDED DISCUSSION: ASK STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE SITUATION AND HOW THEY
ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS.
NOTE 1: To help facilitate discussion, share any personal experiences you may have encountered with this same
sort of issue.
NOTE 2: Another option to foster further critical thinking is to then ask students, “Would you want to hire someone with this kind of attitude?”
NOTE 3: Another option to foster further critical thinking is to then ask students, , “What might have been an impact to your dear family friend, who recommended you? ”

CLOSING DISCUSSION: ASK THE STUDENTS, “HOW DOES YOUR ATTITUDE AFFECT YOUR OPPORTUNITIES?"

REVIEW AND CLOSING:

 Have students answer the following questions either on a piece of paper to turn in at the end of class, or verbally as a class discussion or pair - share.

     o How did it feel being in the “hot seat?”

     o How did it feel sharing your positive word or phrase with the class about t he student in the “hot seat?”

     o How did hearing all the positive things your classmates had to say about you make you feel?

     o What can you take away from this lesson today to help you build your self - confidence and positive attitude?

 

CORRELATION TO OBSERVATION TOOL:

The Frequency Observation Tool (FOT) has a category where students will be observed and rated on their positive attitude. This lesson will help them understand that self - confidence can affect their positive attitude.

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION IDEAS
-Visual: Visual learners will benefit from having the questions posted on the whiteboard.
-Auditory: Auditory learners will benefit from all the group and class discussions.
-Kinesthetic: Kinesthetic learners would benefit from taking notes of important aspects. 
-ESL: ESL students would benefit from having a partner to assist them in the writing activity in case they have questions or need clarification.
-At-risk: At -risk students will benefit from the interaction they have with their group to help keep them focused and on task.
-Advanced: Advanced learners could benefit from helping other students write down their schedules, or by assisting ESL or At -risk students who may need additional help.

 

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