Dedication

Itsy Bitsy Spider

For my K-1 students, we read The Itsy Bitsy Spider. We reflect on how hard the spider worked to climb up the waterspout, even when it became challenging. Students discuss how they can act like a spider at school. 
Spider Worksheet
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File Type: pdf
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We Are Dedicated
For older students (3-6), I start by showing a video clip about the Hoyt family, a father and son who are dedicated to each other. There are a variety of Team Hoyt videos on YouTube to choose from.

We reflect as a class, then discuss what we are dedicated to. Students write, draw, and share.

The Little Engine that Could

With my first graders, I did a lesson about dedication that focused on the little engine that could. Instead of reading the story, we acted it out on the SMARTboard. However, you can definitely read it to your students. A free electronic version of the book can be found here. After discussing the story, we talked about what we are dedicated to at school. What do we work hard at and never give up on? I write "I am dedicated to" on the board and as we brainstorm our ideas, I write them below the sentence starter so that students can easily copy the sentence they want. Then, students receive their piece of construction paper ("car on the train") to write and draw on. The result is ADORABLE and the students love it!
Conductor (Pattern)
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Don't Give Up
This is a great video from Sesame Street! It is a cute and catchy song that your youngest students will love.

I would use this video before or after a lesson on dedication; it really just depends on what I still need for the lesson (an intro or closing). Either way you choose to present it, the video will help inspire and energize students.

You can find more Sesame Street videos on their YouTube channel AND you can visit ESC.org's YouTube channel, which is organized by school counseling topics.
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The Grasshopper and the Ant

To discuss the importance of hard work and dedication, I read this fable. As a class, we reflect on how we would handle things differently as both the grasshopper and the ant.
Worksheet
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Never Give Up
This is an amazing video that older students may appreciate. It's about a man who was told that he would never walk without assistance, but with hard work and dedication, he was able to run. 

Be ready to wipe away some tears, because this video is quite inspiring.

One of my favorite quotes from the video is: "Just because I can't do it today, doesn't mean I'm not going to be able to do it someday." That is such a wonderful message to
share with our students. School isn't always easy (and it shouldn't be), because we are challenging ourselves to be better, stronger people.

Let's live this message: Never, EVER give up!
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