CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Persistence – Boy Who Walked Six Miles to Middle School Graduation Gets a College Scholarship

Persistence is the steadfast commitment and determination to achieve a goal despite facing obstacles or challenges. It includes taking responsibility for one’s actions through any adversity.

Persistence
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
Academic Skills
  • Effective Problem Solving
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

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.
Good Citizenship
  • Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.
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.

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
The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Students will learn about persistence from Xavier Jones, who walked to his middle school graduation. Then, students will practice persistence and discuss the impact of persistence in reaching their destination.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • How many miles would you be willing to walk to school?
    • Chart the numbers on a whiteboard or chart paper.
  • What is the definition of persistence?
    • Persistence is the steadfast commitment and determination to achieve a goal despite facing obstacles or challenges.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • In the video, how did Xavier Jones show he was persistent?
  • Why did the University President offer a scholarship to Xavier?
  • How do others help you persist when you are facing a challenge?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Open space for activity (gym, classroom, or long hallway)
  • Pennies (one per student)
activity

Activity: Penny Relays

  • Create a starting point and an ending point about fifteen feet apart in an open space.
  • Split students into relay groups, or let all students complete as individuals if you have enough space.
  • Give each student a penny and tell them to roll the penny from the starting point to the endpoint and then back to the start.
    • If you do this in relay groups, have students roll the penny to the next person. Repeat until everyone has completed the relay.
  • If the penny falls, they can pick it up and continue rolling it. They do not need to start over.
  • They must stay persistent to reach the finish line.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • What challenges did you experience when pushing the penny?
    • How did pushing the penny require persistence?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Describe a time when you had to keep trying, even when things were difficult.
  • How did Xavier Jones’ story inspire you to never give up?

6-12

  • Reflect on a personal goal you’ve achieved through persistence and determination.
    • What helped you be persistent?
  • What lessons can we learn about persistence from Xavier Jones’ journey?
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/DreDid-yAPk

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about persistence. 

  • How did Xavier Jones show he was persistent?
  • What is the importance of persistence in achieving long-term goals?

Activity

  • Take a walk as a family and take turns talking about a time when persistence helped you reach an important goal.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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Des Moines, IA 50311

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RayCenter@Drake.edu

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