Stick To It!
Stick To It!
Topic: Crafting Motivational Messages to Inspire Hard Work
Empowerment Video: Work Ethic
Basic Supplies:
- Parchment paper, one section per student
- Clear packing tape
- White printer paper or another type of paper with a similar weight
- Markers or colored pencils
- Black marker
- Scissors
Video Discussion:
Before the beginning of the lesson, write the following quotes on the whiteboard or overhead:
- “I never dreamt of success. I worked for it.” - Estee Lauder
- “You can have unbelievable intelligence, you can have connections, you can have opportunities fall out of the sky. But in the end, hard work is the true, enduring characteristic of successful people.” - Marsha Evans
- “Everyone talks about age, but it's not about age. It's about work ethic. Winning never gets old.” —Lisa Leslie, former professional basketball player
- “You get what you give. What you put into things is what you get out of them.” —Jennifer Lopez, singer, actress, and dancer
- “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” —Madame C.J. Walker, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a political and social activist
- “Dreams are lovely but they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It's hard work that makes things happen. It's hard work that creates change.” —Shonda Rhimes, television producer, screenwriter, and author
Give students a few minutes to read and think about the quotes written on the whiteboard or overhead.
Working one quote at a time, allow students to briefly chat with a partner about the quote’s meaning. Then bring the class together to discuss the students’ thoughts.
After the class has had a chance to discuss all three quotes, ask, “What do all of these quotes have in common?”
Guide the students to the understanding that all of these quotes deal with work ethic and its relationship to success.
After watching the video “Work Ethic”, use some or all of the following questions to discuss the video content:
- What is the relationship between work ethic and success?
- Family is one place that someone might learn about having a strong work ethic. Where else do you think people learn about work ethic?
- Are there some situations where it is harder to display your work ethic than others? Explain your answer.
- What are some words, phrases, or quotes that inspire you to push through challenges or stay focused?
Activity Instructions:
Students will be creating motivational stickers to inspire themselves and others. These stickers will showcase encouraging messages and creative designs that highlight the importance of perseverance, determination, and other qualities essential to building a strong work ethic.
Part of having a strong work ethic is staying motivated and pushing through challenges, even when things feel tough. By designing your own stickers, you’ll create a fun and inspiring reminder to keep going, work hard, and never give up. Your stickers can help you and others stay focused on your goals and celebrate the power of determination.
- Gather your sticker supplies: packing tape, parchment paper, scissors, and colored pencils or markers.
- Brainstorm the type of sticker that you want to make. Use some or all of the following questions to help you select a sticker design:
- What does it mean to have a strong work ethic?
- What words, phrases, or quotes inspire you to stay focused and work hard? For example, “Never Give Up” or “Work Hard, Dream Big”.
- What images or designs remind you to keep going when things get tough? For example, a medal, trophy, or checkmark.
- Once you’ve selected at least one sticker design to focus on, lay your sheet of parchment paper flat on your desk.
- Decide how large you would like your sticker to be. Then, tear off a piece of packing tape that is the length of your sticker design.
- Stick the packing tape to your parchment paper.
- Optional: If you want to make a sticker that is taller than the height of the packing tape:
- a. Tear off a second piece of packing tape that is the same length as your first piece.
- b. Stick the second piece of packing tape next to the first. Your second piece of tape should overlap the first piece by about ¼ inch.
- Draw your sticker design on the printer paper. Use bright colors to make it really stand out!
- Outline the edges of your sticker design with a black marker.
- Use scissors to cut out your design. Leave a small white border around the edge.
- Place your sticker design on top of your packing tape. You should try to leave at least a ½ inch packing tape border around the edges of your design.
- Cover your design with another piece of packing tape. Check to make sure that the entire design is covered. If you need to use a second piece of packing tape to completely cover your design, do so.
- At this point, you should have a “sticker sandwich” in this order: parchment paper, packing tape, colored printer paper design, packing tape.
- Use scissors to cut through all the layers of your “sticker sandwich”. Leave at least ¼ inch of clear packing tape around your design.
- Peel off the parchment paper backing and apply your sticker somewhere that will remind you to stay focused, determined, and committed to building a strong work ethic!
