My Daily Spark: Warm-Up

Instructions: Take a moment to think about one thing that has already sparked your motivation today, or one small goal you feel driven to accomplish in the next hour. It could be anything! Write it down and be ready to share if you feel comfortable.

My Daily Spark: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Why this motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Teacher Script: Your Motivation Mix

Warm-Up: My Daily Spark (3 minutes)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Let's kick things off with a quick warm-up called 'My Daily Spark.' I'm handing out a short worksheet. On it, I want you to think about one thing that has already sparked your motivation today, or one small goal you feel driven to accomplish in the next hour. It could be anything! Write it down and briefly explain why it motivates you. You have about 3 minutes for this."

(Distribute the My Daily Spark Warm-Up. Circulate to ensure understanding. After 2-3 minutes, bring attention back to the front.)

Teacher: "Would anyone like to quickly share their 'Daily Spark' with the class?"

(Allow 1-2 students to share briefly. Validate their responses.)

Introduction (4 minutes)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "Great insights everyone! Today, we're going to dive even deeper into something really important for all of you, especially as you look towards your future: motivation. What you just shared about your 'Daily Spark' is a perfect lead-in to understanding the 'why' behind our actions, behaviors, and choices. It's that drive that pushes us to achieve our goals. Think about it: why is it important to understand what motivates you? How can knowing this help you, especially as you prepare for what comes after high school?"

(Allow 1-2 students to share brief responses. Validate their ideas.)

Understanding Motivation Types (10 minutes)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: "There are generally two main types of motivation. Let's start with 'Intrinsic Motivation: The Inner Spark.' When you're intrinsically motivated, you're doing something because it's inherently satisfying or enjoyable. It comes from within you. Can anyone think of an example of something you do purely because you enjoy it or for a personal challenge, not because someone told you to or because there's a reward?"

(Solicit a few examples from students. Guide them if needed with examples like learning a new instrument for fun, reading a book just because you're curious, or helping a friend because it feels good.)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Teacher: "Now, let's look at the other side: 'Extrinsic Motivation: Outside Influences.' This is when you do something to earn a reward or avoid punishment. It comes from external factors. What are some things you do primarily because there's an external reward or consequence?"

(Solicit a few examples. Guide them with examples like studying for a test to get a good grade, working a job to earn money, or cleaning your room to avoid your parents getting upset.)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: "The truth is, most of us are driven by a mix of both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. It's rarely one or the other exclusively. For example, you might study for a test because you enjoy learning (intrinsic) AND because you want a good grade for college applications (extrinsic). Your task now is to explore your unique mix."

My Motivation Menu Activity (8 minutes)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 6)

Teacher: "I'm going to hand out an activity called the My Motivation Menu Activity. On this worksheet, I want you to identify 3-5 intrinsic motivators in your life and 3-5 extrinsic motivators. Then, take a moment to reflect: which type feels more powerful for your long-term goals? There's no right or wrong answer, just honest reflection. You have about 8 minutes to complete this."

(Distribute the activity. Circulate the room to answer questions and provide support.)

Group Discussion & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 7)

Teacher: "Alright everyone, let's bring it back together. I hope that activity gave you some good insights. Now, using our Discussion Guide: Fueling Your Future, let's share some of our thoughts. Who would like to share one intrinsic motivator they identified, and why it's important to them?"

(Facilitate discussion using the prompts from the Discussion Guide: Fueling Your Future. Ensure multiple students have a chance to speak.)

(Display Our Motivation Mix Slide Deck - Slide 8)

Teacher: "Excellent insights, everyone! To wrap up, remember this: understanding your motivation is a truly powerful tool. By cultivating your inner spark (intrinsic motivation) and strategically using external boosts (extrinsic motivation), you can better achieve your goals. Keep exploring what truly drives you! Thank you."

My Motivation Menu

Introduction: What truly drives you? Let's explore your personal menu of motivators! Understanding what makes you tick can help you achieve your goals and stay resilient.

Part 1: My Intrinsic Motivators (The Inner Spark)

These are the things you do because they are inherently satisfying, enjoyable, or meaningful to you. They come from within.

List 3-5 intrinsic motivators in your life. For each, briefly explain why it motivates you.

1. Motivator: ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Motivator: ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Motivator: ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Motivator (Optional): ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Motivator (Optional): ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 2: My Extrinsic Motivators (Outside Influences)

These are the things you do to earn a reward, avoid punishment, or meet external expectations. They come from outside yourself.

List 3-5 extrinsic motivators in your life. For each, briefly explain why it motivates you.

1. Motivator: ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Motivator: ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Motivator: ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Motivator (Optional): ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Motivator (Optional): ____________________________________________________
   
   
   
   Why it motivates me: _________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
   
   
   
   

Part 3: Reflection

1. Think about a current goal you have. How could you use both intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to help you achieve it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Why might understanding your own motivation be especially helpful as you prepare for life after high school (college, career, etc.)?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What's one new strategy you could try this week to boost your motivation for a task you're not excited about?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Discussion Guide: Fueling Your Future

Introduction: Now that you've reflected on your own motivators, let's share our insights and discuss strategies for truly fueling your future. Remember to listen respectfully to your classmates' perspectives.

Discussion Questions:

1. Based on the "My Motivation Menu" activity, what was one intrinsic motivator you identified, and why is it particularly important to you?

2. What was one extrinsic motivator you listed? How do you feel about its influence on your actions? Is it a positive or negative influence?

3. Can you think of a goal you have (academic, personal, or future-oriented) where both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations play a role? How do they work together?

4. How can understanding the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation help you stay motivated when facing challenges or setbacks?

5. What are some strategies you can use to cultivate more intrinsic motivation in your daily life or for your long-term goals?

6. Looking ahead to college or career, why will it be important to understand and manage your own motivation?