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“Motivation” Video, Success Highways Lesson 13, Part 1
What does it mean to be motivated? How does motivation help us to achieve our goals? Kick off Success Highways, Lesson 13, Part 1 discussions with this short video filled with quotes and engaging visuals.
Ideas for using the video:
- Have students watch the video, then create their personal definitions in the activity journal.
- Have students watch the video, then write their personal definitions as a script for a video similiar to this one.
- Have students use a legitimate Internet resource to find a different quote they like that is related to this definition. Have students evaluate the quote/source using guidelines such as http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html.
- Have students pick the timestamp for part of the video they want to react to. Have students explain why that’s their favorite part or why they dislike it.
- Have students select a quote from those in the video and explain whether they agree or disagree with the statement, and why.
- Have students analyze the images used in the video; why might the video include these types of images? What visual themes are emerging? How do specific images relate to both the word being defined and similar themes?
What Motivates You?
What Motivates You? Student Opinion Page piece from the NYTimes. Link
Description
In this blog, the author references another journalist’s column about “How Insults Spur Success.” The piece addresses how disappointments or setbacks can fuel later achievement.
Curriculum Integration Ideas
Have students read the piece and complete the student activity described there. Students may also identify a personal experience like this – where an insult spurred them to succeed. Lead a discussion about the examples students identified. See if students can highlight some of the traits that are exemplified by turning a bad experience into a source of motivation. Ask students (per the blog), “How common do you think it is to respond to failure not with discouragement but a renewed ‘I’ll show ‘em’ spirit’?”

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What special tools, skills, knowledge, or abilities does an underdog need to succeed? (grit, determination, supportive connections, motivation)
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What are the obstacles an underdog often faces in his/her path? (people not believing in him/her, hardships like poverty, perilous living conditions, or family loss, differences such as lack of hearing)
Lolo Jones: 12 Years of Work / 12 Seconds of Hurdles
Lolo Jones 12 Years of Work for 12 Seconds of Hurdles. Video Link
Description
From YouTube: “Some people simply refuse to accept limits or listen to conventional wisdom. Instead of merely existing in history, they have the daring and courage to change it. Their drive takes them beyond the ordinary, and their sense of purpose propels them far beyond the boundaries of reason… For athlete Lolo Jones it’s putting 12 years of work into 12 seconds of hurdles.” This video dramatically and realistically shows commitment to achieving a goal.
Curriculum Integration Ideas
Watch the video with your class. At 1:23, Lolo talks about having a dream. Replay this part for your class. Next, ask students to create a collage using images and text (at least 8.5” x 11”) based on the following criteria:
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Students should pick as the subject of their collage the one single dream they can imagine pursuing for 12 years, even if the dream only came true for 12 seconds.
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Students must include at least 12 different images and at least 12 different key words or phrases in their collage.
Looking for a Change
What Made You Give Up? Rap Video Link
Description
This video self-identifies as “YouTube’s Greatest Motivational Video” and offers a montage of images, voiceover, and music to create a rhythmic, uplifting message about taking on challenges.
Curriculum Integration Ideas
Ask students to watch the video and identify the part they find most inspiring. Have students note a specific duration – start time and end time – using a video time code, such as 1:02-1:32. Tell them to submit that duration to you in writing, along with an explanation of why specifically they found that part of the motivational video most inspiring. Ask students who want extra credit to go through all the submissions and find the top three favorite parts of the video to share back with the class.
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