MOTIVATION OPTIONAL
True or False: You have to feel motivated before you can start something.
False. Sometimes motivation comes after starting.
A teacher asks everyone to put their phones away.
You think the rule is annoying. What's the best option?
A. Argue until the teacher changes the rule
B. Put it away and move on
C. Refuse because you disagree
D. Leave class
Answer: B
Following a rule doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with it.
A student sits with their head down and doesn't begin an assignment.
The teacher thinks: "They don't care."
Name one other possibility.
Examples: Confused, overwhelmed, tired, distracted, doesn't know where to begin, low motivation.
Which student probably needs fewer reminders?
Student A: Waits until Dad asks about every assignment.
Student B: Checks the school portal independently.
Student B: Checks the school portal independently.
You have four assignments.
Which should you probably look at first?
A. The easiest one
B. The one due soonest
C. The most interesting one
D. A random one
B. The one due soonest
Jordan has absolutely no interest in a worksheet but needs to finish it. What's the best first goal?
A. Become interested in it
B. Finish the entire thing immediately
C. Open it and do the first question
D. Wait until motivation appears
C — open it and do the first question
True or False:
"If I stop arguing, that means the other person was right."
False
A student doesn't understand the directions.
Which communicates more useful information?
A. "This is stupid."
B. "I don't understand what I'm supposed to do."
B. "I don't understand what I'm supposed to do."
True or False:
Independence means nobody ever tells you what to do.
False.
An assignment feels huge and you don't want to start.
What's the best question?
A. "Why am I like this?"
B. "How will I ever finish all of this?"
C. "What's the first step?"
D. "Why did the teacher assign this?"
C. "What's the first step?"
Taylor says: "I don't care about this assignment."
Does that automatically mean Taylor can't do it?
No.
You can decide something isn't interesting and still decide that completing it benefits you.
A teacher gives Morgan a consequence that Morgan believes is unfair.
Which situation is probably the better time to discuss it?
A. During class while Morgan is furious
B. Later, when Morgan can explain what happened calmly
B. Later, when Morgan can explain what happened calmly
Upgrade this:
"Leave me alone!" into something that communicates the same basic need more effectively.
Examples:
"I need a minute."
"Can we talk about this later?"
"I need some space right now."
Sam hates when his parents repeatedly remind him about homework.
Name one thing Sam could do that might eventually result in fewer reminders.
Examples:
A student thinks: "I have to finish this entire project tonight."
Name a smaller first step.
Examples:
Name three reasons someone might do schoolwork even if they don't care about the assignment itself.
Examples:
Sort this situation:
A teacher wants you to use a pencil instead of a pen for an assignment.
🔴 Actually important
🟡 Annoying but manageable
🟢 Probably not worth the battle
Usually 🟢 Probably not worth the battle.
A teacher says: "You need to participate more."
The student has no idea what that actually means.
What's a useful response?
"What specifically do you want me to do?"
or
"Can you give me an example?"
*Asking for clarification is a skill.
Which is actually more independent?
A. Never asking anyone for help
B. Trying to solve problems yourself and knowing when you need help
B. Trying to solve problems yourself and knowing when you need help
You have:
Put them in a reasonable order.
Answer:
Prioritize by urgency/importance rather than trying to hold everything equally in your head.
Complete this sentence:
"I don't care about ________, but doing it could help me ________."
Any logical answer earns the points.
Bonus: Award extra points for identifying something the person actually does care about.
A student thinks:
"This rule is ridiculous."
Give a response that lets the student keep that opinion without creating a bigger problem.
Examples:
"I still think it's ridiculous, but I'll do it."
"Not worth arguing about."
"I'll deal with it and move on."
Why might saying: "I don't know where to start"
work better than simply doing nothing?
It gives the other person information they can actually use to help solve the problem.
Complete the equation:
More responsibility + showing you can manage things = ________
More independence/freedom/trust
A student has had a terrible day and now has homework.
What's a reasonable plan that is neither "do absolutely everything immediately" nor "do nothing"?
Examples:
Recharge briefly → check what's actually due → choose the most important task → break it down → start one piece → ask for help if needed.