Lesson Title: STAAR learner
Unit: First RPM Lesson
Date: 9/19
Objectives
 Understand the importance of achieving academic success.
 Understand the 5 points to becoming a “STAAR Learner”
Do Now
Introduce yourselves to the class.
Divide the class into Advisory Groups (put the advisory brake down under the document camera)
Activity I Small group introductions (5 min)
 Ask your mentors how they are doing so far in high school (have each person share out)
 Share a quick story about yourself or someone you know who did not get off to a good start in their first
year of high school
 Ask your mentors if they have experienced any challenges so far in keeping up with everything you
have to do for classes
 What is one thing going well with your classes?
 Explain to them that the focus of today is to continue to help them in becoming STAAR learners
Activity II Group Juggling
Round 1 (7 min)
Materials: 12 pieces of paper
 Divide up the 12 pieces of paper among yourself and your mentees
 Have the mentors name some areas in their day to day life they have to try and balance (family, school,
friends, work, etc..)
 Have the mentees write some of these things on their paper
 Have everyone crumple the paper into balls, collect the balls and have everyone stand in a circle
 Toss someone the first ball and have that person pass it to someone else, and so on, until everyone in the
group has thrown and caught the ball
 Tell the mentees to remember whom you throw the ball to and whom you catch it from. Through out the
activity, everyone will toss the ball to the same person and receive it from the same person.
 Now that they have the patter start adding balls.
 Keep adding the balls very quickly until there is mass chaos.
Debrief 1
Ask your mentees
1) What the purpose of the activity was?
2) How does it relate to everyday life?
3) In life, do you ever feel like everything is coming at you all at once and you keep “dropping the ball?”
When does this happen
4) How can we do this better? What can we do to get a faster rhythm or juggle more balls at the same time?
5) What can we do differently?
Round 2 (5 min)
Start the juggling game again. Once students remember that pattern start adding one ball at a time –slowly. Give
everyone a change to get his or her rhythm down and not lose focus. Once all of the balls are in the circle and
the group is through and catching easily challenge them to speed it up.
Activity III
Group the student as a whole class. Have one of the mentors count the students off by 3. (1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 etc)
Have all the 3 stand up and explain the following
“Look around the room. The number standing represents the average number of freshmen passing all of
their classes first semester. Those sitting down represent the average number of freshmen failing at least
one class, during their first semester.”
Ask the students “Any thoughts as to why?”
Share with them that the biggest reason this happens is that students get behind and don’t ask for help.
“Lets think back to the number of student standing. What are some things you think these students do to
pass all their classes?” Have a mentor make a list on the board”
Have a mentor write the following on the board during the share out
Study in the same place – your carefully chosen “study spot” S
Turn in all your homework T
Attend all your classes A
Ask for Help A
Review before a test and review before you turn in your homework R
“We would like to review with you what being a STAAR learner is” Review what each letter stands for.
Then have the student complete the STAAR learn Question sheet
As the students work on the STAAR learner Question sheet the mentors should check in with their mentees.
After everyone has finished collect the mentors should collect THEIR mentees papers.
Closing
“It was great being here today. We look forward to supporting you and helping you become a STAAR
Learner…Speaking on behalf of your mentor team, we want you to know we are here for you. We will continue
to help you become a STAAR Learner
STAAR LEARNER QUESTIONS HANDOUT
1) How will these actions help you pass all your classes?
2) Which part of STAAR do you already do on a regular basis?
3) Which part do you want to start doing? Who can help you with this new goal?
4) What will it take to make sure you are a STAAR Learner? What will help you keep up with it?
5) Write down your plan for following the STAAR system.
To help you succeed at being a STAAR Learner and at high school in general, give your mentor a little information about
yourself so they can get in contact with you later in the year to check in and help you.
Name:________________________________
Schedule: 1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Phone Number:______________________
E-Mail:_____________________________
STAAR LEARNER QUESTIONS HANDOUT
1) How will these actions help you pass all your classes?
2) Which part of STAAR do you already do on a regular basis?
3) Which part do you want to start doing? Who can help you with this new goal?
4) What will it take to make sure you are a STAAR Learner? What will help you keep up with it?
5) Write down your plan for following the STAAR system.
To help you succeed at being a STAAR Learner and at high school in general, give your mentor a little information about
yourself so they can get in contact with you later in the year to check in and help you.
Name:________________________________
Schedule: 1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
Phone Number:______________________
E-Mail:_____________________________