Behavior

Students will stay on task while trying to move a heavy object. They will have the opportunity to keep trying very hard to complete the task even after experiencing failure, which in turn, students will learn to practice self-control. Enjoy the book GRIT...

Students will practice zest by showing enthusiasm, optimism, and pride in their accomplishments when creating and sharing their “Zest Books.” This activity will help to identify what zest is and is not. Read the book ZEST: Live...

Students will display effort as they perform tasks and will gain an understanding of the advantages of delaying gratification. Students will also display grit by continuing to work at accomplishing tasks, even after experiencing failure. Enjoy the book...

From Tamara Zentic's, 13 & Counting: Rescue Me?, this activity will help students to improve their ability to define problems by asking for clarification when needed in an appropriate way. Students will practice self-control by paying attention,...

The goal of this activity is to show how zest and enthusiasm are decreased by our lack of organization and the ability to maintain a sense of order. Energy is wasted when we spend our valuable time searching for items that we need. Frustration mounts and...

Students will display zest by showing enthusiasm and optimism while finding various “wonders” in nature. They will practice keeping property in its place and utilize strategies to self-correct their behavior if needed. The activity...

Combine a history lesson of the Olympic torch with the social skill of "rewarding yourself" for students in grades 5 through 10. The purpose of this activity is that students will learn to adopt and practice a new good habit that displays grit,...

Students will understand the importance of completing their work even when it becomes difficult, they will also learn to identify how zest can influence others. For this exercise, from ZEST: Live It! Activity Guide, candy will represent zest and...

Laughter triggers positive thinking and can give an individual a more optimistic perspective when faced with problems, stress, and difficult situations. From Tamara Zentic's 13 & Counting: Rescue Me?, this activity will allow students to display zest...

Whether we are aware of it or not, we constantly compare ourselves to others. This lesson is designed to get students to view themselves apart from others and to judge only their own growth in comparison to their own self. From Tamara Zentic's 13 &...

Self-esteem is more than just body image or how an individual feels about his or her appearance. Self-worth is influenced and shaped by our minds (thoughts and intellect), our emotions, our values, and our relationships with other people. It is important...

Our society has become very child-centered, with many adult schedules revolving around children's schedules. Everything is done for the comfort of the child. Adults rescue them at every turn and try to make their lives perfect and wrinkle-free. Children...

The internet has become an integral part of our lives. It has improved communication speed and provides us a wealth of information right at our fingertips. However, it does have its drawbacks; making it easier for people to say negative things online...

Watch as students show enthusiasm while they practice waiting patiently for their turn. During class, students will be asked to brainstorm definitions or ideas of the word "zest." Once that step is completed, the next step in the lesson is an activity...

Individuals who possess higher levels of zest tend to be energetic and a source of motivation to those around them. Zest is thought to bring out the best and most positive qualities in a person. It enables a person to approach life as an exciting...

Students will learn the skills of accepting 'No' for an answer and disagreeing the right way. This activity accompanies Julia Cook's storybook I Just Don't Like the Sound of NO!, part of the BEST ME I Can Be! series. This fun and unique exercise is...