CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Enthusiasm – Texas School Bus Driver Gives More Than Just a Ride

Finding enthusiasm, even in the routine parts of our day, can go a long way in creating a life filled with purpose and joy.

Enthusiasm
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Fairness
SEL Skills
  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion 
  • Diligent Learner

Definitions

Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.
Fairness
  • Play by the rules.
  • Take turns and share.
  • Be open-minded. Listen to others.
  • Don’t take advantage of others.
Self-Awareness
Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes.
Self-Management
Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions and resist negative emotions and impulses.
Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves.

Diligent Learner 

Have a growth mindset and is willing to learn from mistakes.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
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The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Students will explore the concept of enthusiasm, how it motivates us, and how it can help us succeed.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What is something that brings you joy?
  • What does it mean to show enthusiasm?
    • Enthusiasm is an energetic interest in a topic and an eagerness to be involved in it.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

Click here for the shortened video (best for secondary students).

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • In the video, how did Curtis show he cared for the kids?
  • What is something that you learned or felt while watching this story?
  • Do you think you can make yourself feel enthusiastic about something? Why or why not?
  • What would it feel like to go through your day with enthusiasm?
  • Curtis says, “Everybody can find purpose in everything they do.” How does finding purpose in what you do relate to enthusiasm?
activity

Activity: Enthusiasm in Action

  • Tell students they will play charades, but they must be enthusiastic in their acting and gestures.
  • Ask students to stand in a circle. If you have a large group, students can break into small circles.
  • Assign a category, and each student will pick something from that category they can act out. For example, a student could act out being a cat if the category were “animals.”
    • Students should act out with as much enthusiasm as possible.
    • The rest of the circle tries to guess what they are acting out.
    • Example categories:
        • Animals
        • Movies
        • Songs
        • Sports
        • Historical figures
        • Emotion
  • Now, assign each group a new category. Ask students to act out their words with little enthusiasm.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • How did it feel to participate in the activity when others used a lot of enthusiasm versus little enthusiasm?
    • How can enthusiasm impact how well we perform a task?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • How can you show enthusiasm at school?
  • When you are enthusiastic, what impact do you have on other people? Use examples from the video in your answer.

6-12

  • How can having enthusiasm motivate and empower you?
  • What is the impact of enthusiasm on others? Use examples from the video in your answer.
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents, or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch

Discuss
Use these questions to start a meaningful conversation on enthusiasm.

  • How would the world be different if everyone had enthusiasm for their work like Curtis Jenkins?
  • How can we help each other be more enthusiastic in our work, school, and activities?

Activity

  • Play Chores with Enthusiasm.
    • Each person selects a chore in the house (washing dishes, taking out the trash, feeding animals, etc.).
    • While completing the chore, set a timer and see if you can complete all the chores well in the allotted time (to build excitement).
    • Each person must do the chore while:
      • Smiling
      • Shouting or singing the steps you are taking aloud
      • Giving a round of applause or dancing when they are finished
    • As a family, discuss:
      • How did doing the chore enthusiastically change the way you felt about it?
      • Do you think you perform a task better or worse when you are enthusiastic about it?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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Des Moines, IA 50311

515-271-1910

RayCenter@Drake.edu

Character Counts
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