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Persistent Drop of Water

Grades: 
6, 7, 8
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Character Education: Perseverance
Graphic Organizer

Learners analyze the meaning of personal best and recognize the value of persistence in doing their best.

Duration 
PrintOne 20-minute lesson
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • complete a chart of the Frayer Model that defines personal best.
Materials 
  • online photo of the Grand Canyon
  • one sheet of chart paper for each group of four 
  • markers
  • one copy per group of the handout Frayer Model, below
Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set

    Show a picture of the Grand Canyon and ask if they know what mighty force carved that deep rocky gorge that is over one mile deep, up to 18 miles across and nearly 300 miles long. The gorge was carved by the persistence of water eroding away the rock for millions of years. Read the following quote by Lucretius: "The drops of rain make a hole in the stone not by violence but by oft falling."

    Ask, "What can we learn from water about how to get difficult things done?"

  2. Tell the learners they will work in small groups to analyze what it means to do their personal best. They will complete a Frayer Model on the chart paper and fill in characteristics of personal best, examples, non-examples, and a definition of personal best. They may be creative in their Frayer Model design.

  3. Give them ten minutes to complete the chart.

  4. Post the charts and have the groups walk by all the charts and read one another's models. Discuss observations.

Handouts

Frayer Model

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 01. Self, citizenship, and society
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Describe the characteristics of someone who helps others.
  2. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.5 Describe the responsibility students have to act in the civil society sector to improve the common good.