6th – 12th Literature for Vision, Goal-setting, and Self-Reflection

6th – 12th Literature for Vision, Goal-setting, and Self-Reflection

All Ages

What Do You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada 

Plot Summary: A young boy has an idea. The idea starts as a small golden  in the boy's colorless world. It follows him everywhere. He can't get rid of it. The boy is afraid that his idea will not be liked by others, so he protects his idea and hides it. But soon, the idea starts to grow and the boy starts feeling better about his idea. He starts nurturing it and one day it breaks open, free, and adds new colors to the boy's life. The final line of the story is, "So what do you do with an idea? You change the world."

What To Do With An Idea Lesson Plan  3-4th grades
What To Do With An Idea  video  2:53 min.  Read Aloud of book

Grades 6 – 8th

• CHAINS   Anderson, L. H. (2008). New York: Simon & Schuster.
  As the Revolutionary War begins, thirteen-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom.
  Lesson Plan with Discussion Guide
• A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. New York: Clarion Books.
  A Long Walk to Water is a short novel by Linda Sue Park. It  the true story of Salva Dut, a Sudanese Lost Boy, and the fictional story of Nya, a young village girl.

  A Long Walk to Water Book Trailer video  1:33 min.
  Resources about the true story
  Author, Linda Sue Park - TED TALK - Can A Children's Book Change the World?  

Grades 6 – 12

Jar of Life: Put Important Things First   8:18 min.

Big Rocks Planning Article

I Can't Accept Not Trying": Michael Jordan on the Pursuit of Excellence   Michael Jordan 

Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to three NBA Championships. When he retired from professional basketball in 1993 he stunned the sports world by announcing his intention to begin a professional baseball career. 'I Can't Accept Not Trying' is Jordan's personal creed and a message for anyone who aspires to greater heights or grander dreams.

Excerpt from " I Can't Accept Not Trying": Michael Jordan 

Michael Jordan I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying."  video  1:00 min.

Work Before Glory - Michael Jordan  1:04 min.