WEEK 5
15
MIN
Flipchart paper and markers; Writing materials or student-made YOU MATTER Journals.
Total Prep Time: 5 mins.
As this is the fifth Monday of the month, please consider sharing the Monthly Kick-Off activity.
Additionally, a one-minute recap of the previous week may add extra context to this week and help
connect the dots around the monthly theme.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING
4 C’s
SERVICE LEARNING
Critical thinking
Self-awareness
Integrated learning
Communication
Self-management
High quality service
Collaboration
Social-awareness
Collaboration
Creativity
Relationship skills
Student voice
Responsible decision-making
Civic responsibility
Reflection
Evaluation
GOALS FOR THE WEEK
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•
•
•
Identify and describe the differences between positive and negative role models
Explore the characteristics and behaviors that make someone a positive role model
Identify opportunities to be a positive role for others at home, at school, and in the community
Understand why “BEING A ROLE MODEL” is an important part of this month’s theme, “MONDAY
GETS AWARE”
COPYRIGHT 2015 EVERY MONDAY MATTERS
15
MIN
STUDENT ACTIVITY:
“ROLE MODEL LINE UP”
1) SHARE THE NAME OF THIS ACTIVITY WITH STUDENTS:
“ROLE MODEL LINE UP”
2) ASK:
• What is a “ROLE MODEL”?
– Possible answers: Someone who shows and inspires others to be good to others, to accomplish great
things or do well at school, to reach for the stars or challenge oneself even when things seem
impossible, they have a unique sense of self and/or style, etc.
• Do you think it’s important to have “ROLE MODELS”? Why or why not?
• Do you have a “ROLE MODEL”? Who is it?
• Do you know your “ROLE MODEL”?
• What qualities does your “ROLE MODEL” have that make you admire or want to be or act like them?
• Are all “ROLE MODELS” positive? Why do you think that?
• Can you think of some “ROLE MODELS” that are negative? Who comes to mind and why do think
they’re negative “ROLE MODELS”?
• Is your “ROLE MODEL” a positive influence on you? How so?
3) SET UP THE “ROLE MODEL LINE UP” ACTIVITY:
• Explain:
- Let’s spend a bit more time thinking about our personal “ROLE MODELS”
- I’d like to invite each of you to create a special poem, called an “acrostic” poem, using the first name of
your “ROLE MODEL”
- Once everyone has completed their poem, we’ll share them aloud and talk about the characteristics our
“ROLE MODELS” have in common
4) START THE “ROLE MODEL LINE UP” ACTIVITY:
• Explain:
- An acrostic is a special kind of poem in which the first letter of each “LINE” starts a word or phrase
- For example, if my “ROLE MODEL’S” name is Jennifer, the “J” would stand for “Just always there;” “E”
could stand for “Energetic.”
• Ask students to give you some examples of characteristics of a special person that starts with “N,”
the next letter in Jennifer’s name
• Give each student 2 pieces of blank paper and a pencil
• Explain:
- Begin by writing the first name of your “ROLE MODEL” in a vertical “LINE” on one sheet of paper using
capital letters
- If a student cannot think of a “ROLE MODEL,” help them think about the people in their life they
appreciate, who are there for them, such as a teacher, older student or sibling, neighbor, etc.
- Next, on the remaining piece of paper brainstorm as many words and phrases you can think of that
describe your “ROLE MODEL”
• Allow students up to 3 minutes to generate ideas
• Ask:
- Do any of the words and phrases you came up with begin with the letters of your “ROLE MODEL’S”
first name?
COPYRIGHT 2015 EVERY MONDAY MATTERS
• Continue:
- If so, fill those in first by “LINING UP” the word or phrases horizontally with the appropriate letters in
the “ROLE MODEL’S” name
- Now, use your creativity to find ways to fill in the other letters' words or phrases that are fitting of your
role model
- You can also try to think of words that mean the same thing but that start with the letter you need a
word or phrase for
• Allow students up to 5 minutes to complete their poems
• Circulate and help students think of other characteristics and words as necessary
• Once the poems are complete, invite students to share their “ROLE MODEL LINE UP” poetry aloud
5) AFTER COMPLETING THE “ROLE MODEL LINE UP” ACTIVITY ASK:
• What were some of the qualities or characteristics our “ROLE MODELS” shared? What were some of
the words or phrases that describe those key qualities?
• Do you have any characteristics in common with your “ROLE MODEL”? What are they?
• Do you think of yourself as a “ROLE MODEL”? Why or why not?
• Do you have any traits in common with your classmates’ “ROLE MODELS”? What are they?
• What were some of the qualities that you admire in your “ROLE MODEL” you would like to also
“MODEL” for others?
• What can you do to adopt more of these positive “ROLE MODEL” characteristics as a way to be a
great “ROLE MODEL” to others?
6) THANK STUDENTS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO THOUGHTFULY REFLECT ON THEIR
“ROLE MODELS” AND FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SHARE THEIR POEMS WITH
THEIR CLASSMATES.
EXTENSION
IDEAS:
AT SCHOOL:
Allow students to use desktop publishing software or arts and crafts materials to “design and publish” their
acrostic poems. Afterwards, the poems may also be displayed in the classroom or combined to create a
class poetry book.
KEEP THOSE THAT INFLUENCE YOU
FOR THE BETTER CLOSE.
- SHANNON L. ADLER
COPYRIGHT 2015 EVERY MONDAY MATTERS