Bright Ideas in CITW
October 2015
Welcome Back
Effort Videos
Moonshot Thinking
Submitted by Chris Campbell
In history, great achievements, inventions, and challenges overcome, have started with ideas that seemed impossible. Think going to the moon or exploring America. Moonshot Thinking is thinking up seemingly impossible ideas and saying we can't do this yet, but thru persistence and hard work we're going to figure it out.
Chirs has used this video and term, in a variety of activities and in how he talks to students.
Bruno Mars sings "Don't Give up"
Bruno Mars sings on Sesame Street about not giving up when you can't do something at first.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWp6kkz-pnQ&feature=player_embeddedUnderstanding Talent
Effort Books
Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
When Pigs Fly
Leo the Lightening Bug
Submitted by Shannon Orzel.
Leo works very hard to get his light to light up. He keeps practicing and doesn’t give up. Appropriate for K-5.
Effort Activity
An Effort Activity
Starting last year, Kristina created an Effort Wall of Fame above her student's cubbies. Her students were invited to bring an item to symbolize something they had worked hard to acheive. They then could share with the class about how they worked hard and what they accomplished. After each student shared, the class repeated “Wow, states their name, you must have worked really hard on that.”
Personal Effort Story
Sit Down or Keep Running
During 3rd Grade's PLC Emily shared a story she's used with her students. A few months ago, Teresa and Emily were running together along a trail. Teresa was running faster and ended up far ahead of Emily. At this point, Emily realized she would never catch up to Teresa. She decided she had two options, sit down in the middle of the trail and wait for someone to carry her (which would not happen) or keep moving in order to finish and maybe along the way she could get some encouragement and support. She may never catch up but if she kept running, she could finish. However, she had to be the one to make herself keep moving, no one could do it for her. Finishing the run would require just as much hard work, if not more hardwork, for her as it did for Teresa. She chose to keep running and finish, because she realized even though they wouldn't finish at the same time, no one could finish the run but her.
Emily uses this as a metaphor for her students. Other students may finish their work faster and more easily. You can choose to "sit down" and give up OR realize you can do the same work, it will just take you longer. Finishing the "run" will make you stronger and faster next time, "sitting down" will keep you where you are now.
Emily says that she asks her students when they struggle, "Are you going to sit down or keep running".