"Goal Quest: Unlocking Your Growth Mindset!"

Design for Mastery Kit

NEW

6th Grade Project 2 weeks

"Goal Quest: Unlocking Your Growth Mindset!"

Jennifer B

6.6.1.A

6.6.1.M

P1.1

Self Directed Learning

Academic Mindset

+ 1 more

1-pager

Purpose

The purpose of this learning experience is to cultivate a supportive environment where 6th-grade students recognize and harness their unique strengths to enhance their academic and personal growth. Through engaging, hands-on activities involving family collaboration, students will develop self-directed learning skills, build a strong academic mindset, and engage in critical thinking. This project aims to empower students to create meaningful connections between their strengths and their ability to manage stress and set personal goals for a drug-free lifestyle, fostering a sense of identity and community involvement.

Learning goals

The learning goals for this project are to help students recognize and apply their personal strengths to enhance their academic and personal growth, develop strategies to manage stress effectively, and foster a drug-free lifestyle. Students will engage in self-directed learning by using feedback and reflection to guide their progress, while also exploring their sense of identity and belonging within the classroom community. They will employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to address real-world challenges collaboratively, with the support and insights of family members.

Standards

[California] 6.6.1.A - Develop personal goals to remain drug-free.
[California] 6.6.1.M - Make a plan to prevent and manage stress.
[California] P1.1 - By the end of grade twelve, students should be able to include the unique perspectives of others and reflect on one’s own perspectives when designing and developing computational products.

Competencies

Self Directed Learning - Students use teacher and peer feedback and self-reflection to monitor and direct their own learning while building self knowledge both in and out of the classroom.
Academic Mindset - Students establish a sense of place, identity, and belonging to increase self-efficacy while engaging in critical reflection and action.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving - Students consider a variety of innovative approaches to address and understand complex questions that are authentic and important to their communities.

Products

Students will collaboratively construct a 'Strengths Quilt,' with each student and family member contributing a fabric square that symbolizes a personal strength. Additionally, they will organize a 'Strengths Showcase,' performing skits or musical pieces that highlight their unique skills, with family members involved in costume design or music selection. These projects will be presented at the Skills Celebration Fair, allowing students to share their strengths through creative expression and hands-on activities.

Launch

Kick off the project with a 'Strengths Swap Meet' where students and their families bring in objects or artifacts that symbolize their individual strengths. Each participant shares stories and insights on how these strengths can be utilized in collaborative classroom activities. This interactive launch encourages students to recognize and appreciate diverse skills, setting the stage for a strengths-focused learning journey.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Skills Celebration Fair' where they set up interactive booths to demonstrate their unique strengths through engaging activities or performances. Family members will actively participate, offering feedback and joining in the hands-on experiences. The event will also feature the unveiling of the 'Strengths Quilt' and a 'Strengths Showcase,' where students perform skits or musical pieces, with family members contributing to the creative process. This exhibition will be a vibrant celebration of student growth, collaboration, and community involvement.

Plan

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Activities	Strengths Swap Meet Introduction - Introduce the project and explain the concept of the 'Strengths Swap Meet.' Students and their families are encouraged to think about objects or artifacts that symbolize personal strengths to bring in for the next session. Discuss how these strengths can be utilized in collaborative classroom activities. (15 min) Setting Personal Goals - Guide students in setting personal goals related to staying drug-free and managing stress. Facilitate a short discussion about how personal strengths can support these goals. (15 min)	Strengths Swap Meet - Conduct the 'Strengths Swap Meet' where students and family members share their chosen objects or artifacts and the stories behind them. Explore how these strengths can be applied in classroom activities. (30 min)	Reflection Circle - Facilitate a 'Reflection Circle' where students share personal stories about overcoming challenges using their strengths. Family members can offer insights and celebrate the students' growth. (15 min) Strengths-based Learning Journal Introduction - Introduce the concept of a strengths-based learning journal. Guide students on how to document their reflections on using their strengths to overcome challenges and align them with personal goals. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Students complete a strengths-based learning journal with entries on using strengths to overcome daily challenges. 2. Participation in the 'Strengths Swap Meet' with stories and artifacts representing personal strengths shared. 3. Engagement in the 'Reflection Circle' sharing personal stories and reflections on strength application. 4. Students rotate through skill-building stations, documenting skills developed and challenges encountered. 5. Students contribute a fabric square to the 'Strengths Quilt' representing one of their strengths. 6. Scheduled one-on-one mini-conferences with the teacher for personalized feedback on the learning journal.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for the 'Strengths Swap Meet' including tables, chairs, and display boards. 2. Invite family members to participate in the 'Strengths Swap Meet' and provide guidelines for bringing symbolic items. 3. Prepare reflection prompts for the 'Reflection Circle' focusing on overcoming challenges using strengths. 4. Organize skill-building station materials such as art supplies, musical instruments, or sports equipment. 5. Create a template for the strengths-based learning journal for students to record daily reflections. 6. Coordinate schedules for mini-conferences with students to review learning journals. 7. Arrange space and materials for the 'Strengths Quilt' creation, including fabric squares and sewing supplies.

Week 2	Day 4	Day 5	Day 6
Activities	Skills Review and Goal Setting - Students review their strengths-based learning journals to identify personal growth and areas for improvement. They set new goals to remain drug-free and manage stress effectively. (15 min) Strengths Quilt Assembly - Students and family members collaborate to design and assemble their fabric squares into a collective 'Strengths Quilt,' sharing stories behind each square. (15 min)	Creative Showcase Preparation - Students rehearse skits or musical pieces for the 'Strengths Showcase,' with family members assisting in costume design and music selection, ensuring each performance highlights unique skills. (15 min) Reflection Circle - Students and family members participate in a 'Reflection Circle,' sharing personal stories of overcoming challenges using their strengths, and discussing strategies to apply these strengths in future scenarios. (15 min)	Skills Celebration Fair Setup - Students organize interactive booths for the 'Skills Celebration Fair,' finalizing displays and activities that demonstrate their strengths and planning how family members will participate. (15 min) Skills Celebration Fair - Students host the fair, presenting their 'Strengths Quilt' and performing in the 'Strengths Showcase,' with family members providing feedback and engaging in the hands-on activities. (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed fabric squares for the Strengths Quilt, representing each student and family member's personal strength. 2. Strengths-based learning journals with documented reflections and feedback from mini-conferences. 3. Skill-building station outcomes, showcasing enhanced student strengths through hands-on activities. 4. Performance pieces for the Strengths Showcase, with family assistance in costume and music selection. 5. Interactive booths at the Skills Celebration Fair, demonstrating student strengths with family participation. 6. Completed Strengths Quilt assembled and displayed at the Skills Celebration Fair.
Preparation	1. Ensure supplies for the Strengths Quilt are available, including fabric squares, fabric markers, and sewing materials. 2. Organize stations for skill-building activities with necessary materials and instructions. 3. Coordinate with family members to assist with skill-building stations based on their expertise. 4. Prepare reflection journals for students to continue documenting their experiences and insights. 5. Set up the venue for the Skills Celebration Fair, ensuring booths have necessary materials for student presentations. 6. Arrange for a sound system and seating for the Strengths Showcase performances. 7. Create a schedule for teacher-student mini-conferences to review learning journals and provide feedback. 8. Prepare materials for costume design and music selection for the Strengths Showcase skits or musical pieces. 9. Send reminders to families about their roles and participation in the Skills Celebration Fair.