Educator Resources

Watch as students show enthusiasm while they practice waiting patiently for their turn. Someone who possesses zest is full of life and approaches situations with eagerness. Read the book ZEST: Live It! and have students follow up with this exercise...

Students will display effort as they perform tasks and will gain an understanding of the advantages of delaying gratification. Students will also display grit by continuing to work at accomplishing tasks, even after experiencing failure. Enjoy the book...

Students will stay on task while trying to move a heavy object. They will have the opportunity to keep trying very hard to complete the task even after experiencing failure, which in turn, students will learn to practice self-control. Enjoy the book GRIT...

Students will gain an understanding of the power of a positive no when being pressured by peers by role-playing a real life situation about peer pressures. Have your class read and discuss Kip Jones' The Power of a Positive No from the Urban...

Students will learn that a team is only as strong as its individual members! From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can BE! series is an engaging activity to accompany her storybook Teamwork Isn’t My Thing, and I Don’t Like to Share! Extend...

Teach the skill of working as a team with this unique activity called “Spaghetti and Marshmallows.” This amusing exercise will keep students engaged through all three rounds. From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series is a fun activity...

This activity is designed to teach students to give more specific details and deliver them slowly. It can also teach students to listen more critically to instructions. From Julia Cook’s BEST ME I Can Be! series is an activity that accompanies her...

Students will gain the knowledge of learning how to ask for help to complete even the most simple of tasks. Get students up and out of their seat for this physical demonstration based off of Julia Cook’s storybook I Just Want to Do It My...

Students will have to determine whether certain scenarios demonstrate good or bad sportsmanship. Bryan Smith’s If Winning Isn’t Everything, Why Do I Hate to Lose? storybook explains the importance of teamwork and fairness. Put to use the...

Students will become creative when discussing and reminding them to always have good sportsmanship. Start off by reading Bryan Smith’s If Winning Isn’t Everything, Why Do I Hate to Lose? storybook to your class. Once the story has been...

This activity is designed to teach students to be aware of behaviors that are distracting. Use the tips laid out in Stephie McCumbee’s storybook The Garden in My Mind to help with this activity. Students will break into small groups, work together...

Students will learn to be verbally responsive, react to peer pressure situations, and also how to say “No” to the temptations of other people. Have your class read and discuss Kip Jones’ The Power of a Positive No from the Urban...