Be Proactive

Objective: Students will recognize they hold the power to make a

difference in their lives. Good self-esteem will help students have
success during their work based learning experience.

Supplies: 7 Habits handout

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens, by Sean Covey
Living the 7 Habits by Stephen R. Covey on audio cassette
tape
I Knew You Could by Craig Dorfman (picture book ISBN
0448431483)

1. Read the first four pages of “I Knew You Could”, by Craig

Dorfman
Discuss: We are all on journey. Our journey is life. Each of us
can make a huge difference in our own lives, if we will be
proactive and take charge of our actions.
“Life is a book and you are the author. You determine its plot
and pace and you—only you—turn its pages.” --Beth Mende
Conny
If you are a proactive person you are “response-able”. This
means you don’t blame others for what happens to you. You
choose your behavior. If your boss schedules you to work the
weekend shift after you requested it off for the Senior Ball, you
choose your behavior that you will respond with. Are you going
to be nasty, and mean? Or will you approach your boss with a
winning attitude to work out the situation?

2. Activity.
Give each student the 7 Habits handout. Have them turn it over
and fold it in half. Read a list of words. Students will need to
write down the word that is read, and respond by writing an
opposite meaning word on the other half of the paper.
Love Hate
Peace Anger
Read Success Bankruptcy
this Security Insecurity
side Humble Arrogant
Kindness Mean
Honest Dishonest
Valuable Cheap
Patient Impatient

Discuss:
o What are the differences between the two sides of the paper?
 o How do these qualities play out in our lives?
o Which side of the paper are you going to choose to live?

3. Introduce the 7 Habits book.

Show book to students and briefly tell them about it.
Have students turn their handout over and go over the 7 habits.

4. Living the 7 Habits by Stephen R. Covey on audiocassette tape.

(I have students listen to the first 10 minutes of this cassette after Dr. Covey
has been introduced. He lists the 7 habits, and then talks about the opposites
of those 7 habits. I listen up to the end of the third habit, this is about 10
minutes. I pause the cassette often and have students write notes that are
included in the key.)
Students will listen to Stephen R. Covey talk about the opposite
of the first of the three 7 habits. Have them pay close attention
to how the negative effects can affect our lives.
Discuss:
o Habit 1- What does Proactive mean? What are the
opposites? (see key)
o Habit 2- What are we living for when practicing the
opposite? (see key)
o Habit 3- What is scarcity mentality? (When a person
believes there is only a set amount of something. People
who possess this mentality have a really hard time
celebrating and embracing other’s successes.)
o What will give us true liberation? (We can gain true
liberation when we realize our control lies within us. We
have the power to choose.)
5. Activity.
Scenarios.
Have students get into groups of 2-3. Each group needs to read
through their scenarios and role-play how they would proactively
respond in the situation.
Have each group share what they would do as you go through
these on the power point.

6. School of Rock Movie Clip

In this movie the students are unsure of their abilities to make
good rock music. Their teacher Mr. Schneibley tells them to set
aside the beliefs of their parents and other teachers and to
believe first and foremost in themselves. They believe him and
put on an amazing show.

7. Quote.
“You have control over three things: what you think, what you
say, and how you behave. To make a change in your life, you
 must recognize these gifts are the most powerful tools you
possess in shaping for form of your life.” --Sonya Friedman

Students should complete the Writing assignment on their

handout.

8. Book.
Finish reading, “I Knew You Could” by Craig Dorfman