This is the time of year when we need a bit more motivation.
... to be nice to each other.
... to work as hard as we can.
... to not give up.
... to persist when the going gets tough.
My friend Stacey over at The Learning Lab posted her favorite quote that she has posted in her classroom.
This reminded me of one I share with my students at the beginning of the year - from Michael Jordan's "Become Legendary" campaign.
We always watch this video (below), talk about the enormous struggle Michael Jordan went through to get where he is today, and we tie it back to our own life.
Then we watch this video, and answer some questions and discuss...
Re-watching these videos and thinking about that quote inspired me to create a game to hook my boys and inspire my class to look out for the GOOD things about our day, rather than the bad ones. {I love our Peace Window, but I've found myself saying, "Take it to the Peace Window...." one too many times.}
Introducing .... MOTIVATIONAL MADNESS!
Basically, it's a game that centers around kids noticing other kids using seven core values - responsibility, respect, persistence, compassion, teamwork, creativity and sustainability. There's a de-brief about the MJ videos and a chance to assess their choices (and "trash" the negative choices).
The meat of the game is that earn points which move them either a) along a bracket to a final match-up or b) earn points for their team once they're out of the bracket. How do they earn points? By noticing others use their core values, of course! It's a new twist on "bucket filling."
Introducing .... MOTIVATIONAL MADNESS!
Basically, it's a game that centers around kids noticing other kids using seven core values - responsibility, respect, persistence, compassion, teamwork, creativity and sustainability. There's a de-brief about the MJ videos and a chance to assess their choices (and "trash" the negative choices).
The meat of the game is that earn points which move them either a) along a bracket to a final match-up or b) earn points for their team once they're out of the bracket. How do they earn points? By noticing others use their core values, of course! It's a new twist on "bucket filling."
If you're interested in using this in your own class - head on over to my TpT store. There's a FREEBIE for de-briefing the MJ videos - just download the preview and it's right at the end. Enjoy!
Sounds like a great way to increase motivation and effort! I love those over the door shoe organizers! I have them all over my house filled with various things but I never thought about using them in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteTara
Thanks Tara! They're GREAT for organizing the classroom. I'm going to do another one for school supplies next year, I think. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! Love it. So great to infuse the classroom atmosphere with the spirit of kindness and respect. We do similar things at our school and it's made a huge difference!
ReplyDeleteSusanna
Whimsy Workshop
This is a great idea! We do bucket filling in our classroom and my kids get a chance to earn warm fuzzies when they are kind to one another. I bet your boys love this though! I love how you have added a bit of competition to it, seeing who can be the most kind to their classmates. What a great motivator! I am your newest follower. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteJessica
Hanging Out in First!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing-I'm your newest follower, Heather
ReplyDeleteAre students competing against members of their own team? If not, and you're using the bracket, how do you keep them from ending up competing against their own team when the next day's competetion starts?
ReplyDeleteSo it's broken up into two sections - the bracket and the tab competition. They do end up competing against people from their own team, but it's okay - their main goal in the bracket is to get someone from their team to win (that person wins 50 points for their team in the end). *Everyone's* tabs count toward their team's score, though (even if they got kicked out of the bracket) so there's still incentive for them to earn lots of tabs. Even with the +50 point bonus from winning the bracket, the other team could win if they had a TON of great behavior.
ReplyDelete