Warm-Up Activity: Challenge Ice-Breaker

Overview

This ice-breaker sets the tone for our session on the power of persistence. By sharing personal experiences with overcoming challenges, students create an open and supportive environment where it's safe to fail and learn. This warm-up encourages them to reflect on past challenges and see them as opportunities for growth.

Instructions

1. Introduction: Briefly explain that today's session is about persistence and that every challenge is an opportunity to learn.
2. Sharing Time: Ask each student to think of a moment when they faced a difficult problem or challenge and how they worked to overcome it. Remind them that it's okay to try and fail because every attempt is a learning experience.
3. Guiding Questions:
   • What was the challenge you faced?
   • How did you feel when you first encountered the challenge?
   • What steps did you take to try and overcome it?
   • What did you learn from this experience?
4. Facilitation Tips:
   • Encourage honesty and emphasize that there are no right or wrong experiences.
   • Acknowledge every student's contribution with positive reinforcement.
   • Highlight common themes related to persistence and creative problem-solving.
5. Wrap-Up: Summarize the key message that challenges help us learn and grow, setting the stage for the rest of the lesson.

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Discussion: The Role of Persistence in Problem Solving

Introduction

Today, we are going to talk about persistence. Persistence means not giving up, even when things get tricky. It’s about trying different ways to solve a problem until you find one that works. Before we start, let’s think about a time when we faced a challenge and did not give up.

Guiding Questions

1. What does persistence mean to you?
   • Think about a time you had to keep trying even though it was hard. What did you do?

2. Why do you think it’s okay to fail sometimes?
   • Can failing help us learn something new? How?

3. How do you feel when you finally solve a challenging problem after several attempts?
   • Share any personal experiences where persistence led you to a solution.

Discussion Prompts

• Real-Life Connection: Can you think of any famous stories or characters (real or fictional) that show persistence? What can we learn from them?

• Problem-Solving Strategies: What are some strategies you use when you hit a roadblock? Do you ask for help, try a different method, or take a break and come back later?

• Teamwork in Persistence: Sometimes working in a group can help when solving a difficult problem. How can sharing different ideas help everyone learn?

Follow-Up Points

• Summarize the idea that persistence leads to learning through failure and eventual success.
• Invite students to share one new idea they learned about persistence during this discussion.
• Ask the class to think of one challenge they might face this week and how they could apply persistence to overcome it.

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Activity: Puzzle and Brain Teaser Challenge

Overview

In this activity, students will work together to solve puzzles and brain teasers. This hands-on challenge encourages them to apply the concept of persistence by exploring different approaches and strategies to overcome obstacles. The activity reinforces the idea that trial, error, and creative problem-solving lead to success.

Instructions

1. Group Formation: Divide the students into small groups of 3-4. Ensure each group has a mix of abilities to encourage collaboration.
   
   
   
2. Puzzle Distribution: Provide each group with a set of puzzles or brain teasers. These can include picture puzzles, logic problems, or riddles. You may use Puzzles and Brain Teasers Printouts to support the exercise.
   
   
   
3. Challenge Brief: Explain that the goal is not only to solve the puzzles but also to discuss the different strategies used. Encourage groups to document their process:
   • What was your first approach?
   • Did you have to change strategies? Why?
     
     
     
4. Time Management: Allow the groups 15 minutes to work on their puzzles. Remind them that it's okay if they don’t solve every puzzle -- the key is to keep trying and learn from each attempt.
   
   
   
5. Reflection: After 15 minutes, bring the groups together. Ask a few groups to share their experiences, the strategies they used, and what they learned about persistence during the challenge.
   
   
   

Reflective Questions

• What was the most challenging part of the puzzles?
  
  
  
• How did your group work together to overcome hurdles?
  
  
  
• How does this activity show that trying different approaches helps you succeed?
  
  
  

Follow-Up Discussion

• Highlight that persistence sometimes means changing your approach when one isn't working.
  
  
  
• Emphasize that the skills practiced in this challenge can be applied to other subjects and real-life problems.
  
  
  

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Game: Persistence Challenge Game

Overview

In the Persistence Challenge Game, students work in teams to complete a series of puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty. This friendly, competitive game encourages learners to persist through challenges, strategize with teammates, and celebrate the process of trial-and-error.

Instructions

1. Team Formation: Divide the class into small teams of 3-4 students each. Make sure teams have a mix of abilities to promote collaboration and peer support.
   
   
   
2. Challenge Rounds: The game consists of multiple rounds. In each round, teams receive a new puzzle or challenge (this can be a riddle, logic puzzle, or hands-on STEAM related task). Each round is designed to require a different approach or strategy.
   
   
   
3. Rules of Play:
   • Teams have a set time (about 2 minutes per round) to work together and try solving the puzzle.
   • If a team is stuck, they may ask for a hint, but doing so will cost them a small point deduction.
   • Emphasize that the point is not only to win but to engage with the challenge and learn from the attempts.
     
     
     
     
4. Scoring and Encouragement:
   • Award points based on completion time and creativity in problem-solving.
   • After each round, gather teams briefly and ask a couple of teams to share what approaches worked best and any adjustments they made when they encountered difficulties.
   • Keep the atmosphere positive and celebrate persistence and teamwork, regardless of whether the puzzle was solved on the first try.
     
     
     
     
5. Final Reflection: Once all rounds are complete, tally the points and announce the winning team. Conclude with a short reflection on how persistence and creative group problem-solving led to success during the game.

Discussion Points After the Game

• What strategy did your team find most helpful during the challenges?
  
  
  
• How did it feel when a persistent approach eventually led to solving a puzzle?
  
  
  
• How can the skills practiced in this game help you with other problems in school and everyday situations?

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Cool Down: Reflect and Recharge

Overview

This cool-down activity is designed to help students wind down after an engaging session on persistence. It encourages them to reflect on what they've learned and to recognize that the journey through challenge and failure is a vital part of growth and success.

Instructions

1. Reflection Circle: Have the students sit in a circle. Ask them to take a deep breath and think about the activities of today.
2. Guided Reflection: Prompt the students with the following questions:
   • What is one thing you learned about persistence today?
     
   • How did you feel when you faced a challenge during the activities?
     
   • Can you share a moment where you felt proud because you didn’t give up?
3. Personal Journaling: Give each student a couple of minutes to write down their thoughts in a journal or on a piece of paper. Encourage them to focus on how persistence can help them tackle challenges in the future.
4. Group Sharing: Invite a few students to share their reflections with the group. Remind everyone that each response is valuable and that every experience of trial, error, and eventual success builds strength.

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Puzzles and Brain Teasers

This worksheet provides a variety of puzzles to challenge your problem-solving skills. Remember, the goal is not to get it right on the first try but to persist through challenges and learn by trying different approaches!

Puzzle 1: The Riddle

I have keys but no locks, I have space but no rooms. You can enter but you can't go outside. What am I?

Write your answer here:

Puzzle 2: Word Scramble

Unscramble the following words to reveal a motivational phrase related to perseverance:

GNT'O ,VEIG, UPP

Write your answer here:

Puzzle 3: Advanced Math Challenge

Identify the next number in this pattern:

1, 3, 8, 18, __

Hint: The pattern involves multiplying the previous term and then adding a constant number. Think about how each term relates to the one before it.

Write your answer here:

Puzzle 4: Lateral Thinking

Imagine you are in a room with three light switches on the wall. Only one of them controls a light bulb in the next room. You can only enter the room with the light bulb once. How can you figure out which switch controls the light?

Write your strategy here:

Good luck, and remember to keep trying different approaches if you get stuck!