Every Monday Matters

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Three reasons to shift your attitude to gratitude: 1.Gratitude shifts your mindset. 2.Gratitude creates solutions. 3.Gratitude is contagious.

 We need two volunteers to come to the front of the room and sit back to back without looking at each other. Each student needs to name the other student’s eye color, shirt color, type of shoe, whether they are wearing a watch, whether they have on jewelry.  You will probably notice that you won’t get much of the information correct, since they haven’t really paid attention to each other.

 Study each other for one minute, taking note of what we asked you to describe.  Now sit back to back again and ask the same questions.

 We have a special part of our brains that helps us reach our goals. It’s called the Reticular Activating System, or RAS for short. It’s a network-like set of cells that acts as a screen that lets in information we need and filters out what we don’t need.

 An example is listening to announcements over the intercom. We may only pay partial attention until we hear our name or bus number called.

 We need a volunteer to describe how the RAS works when we are looking for specific items in a grocery store (if we are looking for Hot Fudge Sundae Pop Tarts, our RAS screens out Strawberry, Vanilla Crème and other varieties and focuses on finding our goal).

 How do you think the RAS can help you develop a winning attitude?

 it can help us focus on positive thinking and people and filter out negative/stinking thinking

 Students may answer with a thumbs up or thumbs down.  Look at each goal and determine which statements strengthen the RAS and which ones are stinkin’ thinking. Put a thumbs up for a RAS strengthener and a thumbs down for a stinkin’ thinking example.

 GOAL: To earn honor roll this grading period  __ I’m not a good reader.  __ I can get help from a teacher, parent or friend.  __ I attend class every day.  __ I can’t take the time to study.

 GOAL: To graduate high school  __ I’m not as smart as other kids.  __ I can see myself walking in my cap and gown.  __ I’ve got better things to do.  __ I am able to balance free time and studying.

 GOAL: To manage my anger safely.  __ Nobody messes with me and gets by with it!  __ I won’t give anybody my self-control.  __ I can get through this and keep my cool.  __ It feels good to hit her! She deserves it!

 GOAL: To be at my best in a game or competition  __ I see myself making a great play.  __ He looks much tougher than me!!  __ I am well-rested and ready to go!  __ I’m gonna freeze up and miss it.

 GOAL: To communicate better with my parents or caretakers  __ I don’t have to listen to what they say!  __ I am learning to be patient.  __ I feel better when there is less tension between us.  __ I can’t stand these rules!

 Have someone take notes on the following discussion questions and turn it in to Mrs. Hernandez.  1. What did you learn about RAS in this lesson?  2. How can changing your thinking change your attitude?  3. Are there some areas where you need to change your thinking? If so, what are they?  4. What was the most important part of this lesson? Why?