CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Perseverance - Young Students Discover "Magical" Rock

No matter the obstacles, it is important to practice perseverance and keep trying through any challenge. The results of persevering through situations are long-lasting and have the power to affect others.

Perseverance
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, others, and the world around them.

Diligent Learner 

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

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

Students will learn about perseverance from a group of students who uncovered a seemingly magic rock at their school. They will reflect on how perseverance is needed in their own lives and how to help others persevere.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What tools do you think you need to dig a giant boulder out of the ground?
    • What skills would it take? Think about physical skills and character skills.
  • What does perseverance mean?
    • Perseverance is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

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

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How did the students in the video demonstrate perseverance when they worked to dig the boulder from the ground?
  • Why do you believe the rock became a special place where students formed lasting friendships?
  • Describe a time when you pursued a goal with perseverance.
  • What is the difference between obsession and perseverance?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Paint
  • Rocks
  • Paint brushes
  • Permanent markers
  • Sealant
activity

Activity: Rock Painting

  • Each student will paint a rock to give to someone or leave it in a garden around the school or community.
  • Paint the entire rock and let it dry.
  • Add a positive message or word on the rock with a permanent marker.
  • Once it is dry, use a sealant to allow it to last longer.
  • Walk around the school or local community and leave the rock where someone else can find it, so they will be encouraged to persevere.
  • Optional: If paint and other materials are difficult to find, consider decorating index cards/paper to share messages about perseverance. Have students post these around the classroom and school.
  • Follow-up question:
    • How do you think someone would feel seeing your message?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Describe a time when someone you know showed perseverance.
  • Think of one of your goals. How can you use perseverance to accomplish it?

6-12

  • What can you do to help yourself persevere when things get difficult?
  • How would you encourage someone who is struggling to persevere?
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
Watch the video as a family: https://youtu.be/-9vnnQ6X6kU

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about perseverance.

  • Why is it important to have perseverance?
  • Share about a time you have had to persevere to overcome challenges or achieve a goal.

Activity

  • Go into your yard and find a rock.
  • Paint or color the rock and write encouraging words for others.
  • Take a walk as a family and leave your painted rocks in areas where other people can find them.
  • Discuss how the painted rocks may inspire others to persevere in the face of challenges.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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