Self Direction
You look at the whiteboard and realize you don’t understand step three of the math instructions. What should a self-directed learner do?
Reread the prompt, check an example, ask a peer quietly, or raise their hand to ask the teacher for clarification.
True or False: Having self-control means you never get distracted by things around you.
False (Everyone gets distracted; self-control is about catching yourself and refocusing).
A group of friends is laughing at a mean meme about another classmate. Even though you want to fit in, you choose not to laugh or share it. What did you just use?
Self-control (or integrity).
What are two physical signs that your body might give you when you are starting to lose your temper?
(Any two) Face feels hot, muscles/fists tense up, breathing gets faster, or heart beats faster.
How many hearts does an octopus have?
AND
What color is their blood?
3 hearts and BLUE blood
You finish your classwork 15 minutes before the bell rings. Instead of sitting idly or bothering neighbors, what is a self-directed choice you can make?
Read a book, study for an upcoming test, or check your grades/missing assignments online.
A student at your table keeps whispering jokes to you while you are trying to complete a graded assignment. What should you do?
Quietly tell them you need to finish your work, or move to an empty desk if allowed.
Your partner for a science lab is slacking off and trying to get you to do all the work. What is a constructive way to handle this using self-control?
Calmly review the task division with them, or speak to the teacher privately if they refuse to help.
You just received a bad grade on a quiz that you studied hard for, and you feel like crying or ripping up the paper. What is a healthy first step to handle this emotion?
Take a few slow, deep breaths to calm your body down before reacting.
2 100 point questions:
In Cinderella, the cruel Stepmother has a pampered, wicked cat. What is the cat's name?
In Pixar's smash hit Toy Story 5, Bonnie becomes completely obsessed with a modern electronic device. What is the name of this high-tech frog tablet?
1- Lucifer
2- Lilypad
What is the term for breaking a massive, multi-week school project down into smaller, daily chunks so you don’t cram at the last minute?
Time management (or goal-setting / planning).
Name two physical adjustments you can make to your classroom environment to remove a distraction when doing independent work.
(Any two)
You are tired and want to sleep in, but you get out of bed anyway because you know you need to catch the school bus. What is this quality called?
Self-discipline.
If a teacher corrects your behavior in front of the class and you feel embarrassed and defensive, what is the best way to respond in the moment?
Listen without interrupting, nod or say "Okay," and talk to the teacher privately after class if you disagree.
In the Heros of Olympus series of Percy Jackson, the 7 demigods are attemoting to put Gaea back to sleep. In the end, only 3 demigods defeat her. Who are these demigods and how did they do it?
Include Greek parentage, power, and last name.
Jason Grace- Son of Jupiter, lightning and sky based powers
Piper Mclean- Daughter of Aphrodite, charmspeak and convincing methodic magic
Leo Valdez- Son of Hephaestus, "fire user" can summon fire with hands, good at tinkering and mechanics
They defeated Gaea by essentially taking her away from her main power source (the Earth aka the ground) and quite literally putting her to sleep.
Peer pressure can sometimes work in a positive direction. Give an example of how a peer group can use positive social pressure to help a student increase their self-control and academic success.
A group of friends can practice positive peer pressure by organizing a study group, encouraging each other to get good grades, motivating a teammate to stay focused during practice, or holding each other accountable to avoid getting into trouble.
-Find things you can see
-Find things you can feel
-Take a deep breath
What is the 3,2,1 shift method?
Someone keeps tapping their finger repeatedly on the table. It's mildly annoying you.
Politely ask them to stop or try to distract yourself from the noise.
What is the difference between experiencing an emotion and acting on an emotion?
Emotions are automatic feelings you can't always control; actions are choices you can control.
How many sports does Lanier have?
11
1.Cheer, Softball, Soccer, Tennis, volleyball, track and field, cross-country , basketball baseball, Swimming and Football
What is the definition of "Grit" or a "Growth Mindset," and how does it connect to self-direction?
It is the determination to keep trying even when a task is difficult; a self-directed learner uses it to push through hard assignments without giving up.
A student receives a harsh, unfair comment on their social media post from a classmate. Instead of immediately typing a mean reply back, the student closes the app, takes a deep breath, and decides to talk to the classmate privately the next day. What specific type of social self-control did this student use to override their immediate emotional impulse?
Impulse control (or emotional regulation / delayed response).
Imagine a student who wants to study for a big final exam, but their friends keep messaging them to join an online video game. If the student uses proactive self-control, what is a strategic action they can take before the situation even happens to protect their self-direction?
They can remove the temptation in advance—such as turning off their phone notifications, leaving their phone in another room, or telling their friends ahead of time that they will be offline until a certain hour.
You are telling a student in your class about a movie you liked last night during a lesson. The student keeps looking away from you and concentrates on doing their work. What is their facial expressions saying?
They aren't interested in talking right now as they are busy working and want you to do the same.
3 Percy Jackson questions:
Based on the book House of Hades, how many days does Annabeth recall it takes to land in Tartarus? (at the beginning of the book from her perspective)
In The Battle of the Labyrinth, Percy accidental triggers an explosion at Mount St. Helens. What type of ancient, sea-dwelling blacksmith monsters was he fighting there?
What is the name of the mortal girl who can see through the Mist and eventually becomes the Oracle of Delphi?
1- 9 days according to a Greek poet.
2- Telkhines
3- Rachel Elizabeth Dare