Synergizing - Chairs for Charlie

Click here for video: Chairs for Charlie
*How does this neighborhood use habit 6 to synergize and help Charlie? How do they show that together is better than what just one person can do?
*Explain how this story is also a good example of habit 5, seek first to understand.
*This community creates a win-win situation.  Explain how each of the following win:
1.  Charlie
2.  Charlie's neighbors
3.  The dogs

Opportunity Looks a Lot Like Hard Work - Begin with the End in MInd

Video: Ashton Kutcher Teen Choice Awards Speech
Lately I have been talking to other parents about our teens and jobs.  There are a few that embrace working, but others just don't want to do it.  Or, once they are working, they want to quit when it becomes boring or before they have another job lined up.  Sometimes they feel like the job they have is "beneath them."
It reminded me of Ashton Kutcher's four minute speech that he gave at the Teen Choice Awards one year.  Although he uses the words sexy and crap in his message, he uses them in a way that is appropriate for teens.
The highlights of his message:
     *Opportunity looks a lot like hard work. (Be proactive)
     *He was always lucky if he had a job, and he never had a 
      job he was better than.
     *Every job was a stepping stone.
     *He never quit a job until he had another one lined up. (Put first things first)
     *The sexiest things in the world are being smart, thoughtful, and generous. (Win-win)
     *Build your life, don't just live it. (Begin with the end in mind)
I just may need to use this video before the next "job discussion" at my house.

Youtube Clip - The Lost Generation - What it means to be proactive...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42E2fAWM6rA

When we are proactive, we are in charge of our lives.  If we are not proactive, we let others make our decisions for us.  When using this youtube clip with my leaders, I ask the following questions:
1.  In the first part of "Lost Generation," how are people told to be "victims?"
2.  How does the second part of "Lost Generation" change to being proactive?
If you use this clip with your leaders, let me know what they think!

Quote and Book Recommendation of the Day

"What is right is not always popular 

and what is popular is not always right."

-Albert Einstein

This is such a timeless quote.  If you have not yet read Wonder by R.J. Palacio, it makes for a wonderful read aloud to your class.  This quote by Albert Einstein is perfect to refer back to while reading.  There will be many opportunities to talk about Habit 5, "Seek first to understand, then be understood."

Big Styrofoam Leadership Letters

We wanted to put up big "Leadership" letters in our school.  Last year my husband went to Lowe's and bought thick styrofoam.  He then glued two layers together to get some nice, thick letters (although I used a single layer in my own classroom).  We chose a font on the computer, and blew up the letter sizes to get patterns he could follow with his jigsaw.  We love how they turned out.  If you would like to see them painted and on display, go to the provided link of our school.  You will also see the "Lead" letters I mounted above my white board.  Leader in Me - Leadership Letters

A Fourth of July Reflection

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door

These words from The New Colossus, written by Emma Lazarus, can be found on a plaque on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.
Reflect
What do your student leaders think these words mean?
What are some ways that individuals can show leadership with the poor and homeless?
Can a nation be a leader?
Create
Have students make a sketch of the Statue of Liberty's lamp.  In the flames, have them write their ideas of ways individual leaders can be welcoming to people who are from other countries.

Kids These Days

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G22Q92VCFyY
Are your leaders preparing to write personal mission statements?  To get their juices flowing and help them begin with the end in mind, show this video clip.
Discuss before the video:
*When people say, "Kids these days," is it usually positive or negative?  Can you give an example?
Discuss after the video:
Why do you think this phrase was chosen for the video?
*People are waiting. Will you wait or lead?
*You will fail.  Why is this phrase included in the video?