Mentorship - Buffalo Bills Rookie Honors “Big Brother” at Game

Mentorship is helping and encouraging others by sharing what you know and caring about their well-being.

Grade Level: K-12

Character Skills

Responsibility
Caring
Good Citizenship

SEL Skills

Relationship Skills
Social Awareness

Academic Skills

Diligent Learner
Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Trustworthiness

Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do.
Keep your promises.
Be loyal. Stand by your values.

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.

Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

Social Awareness

Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Effective Problem Solving

Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.

Share This Activity

Students will explore the concept of mentorship by identifying the qualities that make someone a good mentor, practicing mentoring through a role-play activity, and reflecting on how mentorship encourages growth in themselves and others.

Think about a time when someone helped you learn a new skill, like riding your bike, tying your shoes, or playing a new sport. Why do you think they helped you learn that skill?
Have you ever helped someone else learn something they didn’t know before? What did that feel like?
How does it feel when someone believes in you and encourages you?

Think about the video.

How did Ray’s mentor influence his personal and professional life?
What qualities make a good mentor? How did Ray’s mentor demonstrate these qualities?
How can you show appreciation to someone who has made an impact in your life?

Students will need access to typical school supplies (paper, writing utensils, etc.)

Pair students up for a mentorship role-play scenario.
One student will be the mentor, and one will be the mentee. Students will complete two rounds, so each person has a chance to play both roles.
The mentor will have 3 minutes to teach the mentee a new skill. They may need some time to brainstorm their special skill.
To help students choose a skill:
- Option 1: Allow the mentor to decide which skill they want to teach, giving them a chance to share their unique talents. You may provide a list of ideas for students who need inspiration.
- Option 2: Provide a list of skills for mentors to choose from. Examples include:
  - Draw
  - Juggle
  - Fold paper designs
  - Clap out a rhythm
  - Memorize words to a song or chant
  - Dance
  - Whistle
  - Make paper airplanes
  - Meditate
  - Tie a knot
  - Solve a math equation
Close the activity with a reminder: being a mentor is more than teaching a skill. Mentors encourage, guide, and care about the other person’s success and well-being.
Reflection Questions:
- What were the most challenging parts of being each role (mentor and mentee)?
- What things did your partner do that made them a good mentor?
- What did you learn about yourself as a mentor?

K-5

Think about a mentor in your life. What makes them a good mentor?
If you could mentor a younger person, what skill would you teach them and why?
You can mentor someone for big or small skills, and sometimes it’s just encouraging a friend to learn something new. How do you show encouragement to your friends?

6-12

Think of a mentor in your life. How did they impact you, and what qualities make them a great mentor?
How is mentorship different from friendship, and in what ways do they overlap?
Why might people sometimes be hesitant to be mentors? What could hold them back?

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

Watch

Watch the video as a family: https://youtu.be/Y-0n6d7PHps

Discuss

Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about mentorship.

How can we support each other in learning new things?
Why is it important to both teach and learn from each other in our family?
Why is it important to encourage each other to learn new skills?

Activity

Each family member chooses one small skill or talent they can teach the rest of the family.
Hold a show-and-tell night where each person demonstrates their skill and mentors the family members to learn it.
Ensure every family member has a chance to highlight their skill and mentor others.