Amara Jackson – The Invitation We Miss
This National FFA lesson plan, “The Invitation We Miss,” uses 2023-24 National FFA President Amara Jackson’s retiring address to teach students about living an undistracted, aware, and connected life. Students watch the video and complete a worksheet, then work in pairs through speaker/listener rounds to experience how distractions affect relationships and personal growth.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Explore the impact of what it means to be present.
- Understand how distractions affect relationships and personal growth.
- Time required
- 60 minutes
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "The Invitation We Miss" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Vocabulary
- Aware; Connected; Distracted; Invitation
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- English/Language Arts — Role play scenarios that build public speaking skills and practice active listening.
- Description of Lesson
- An undistracted, aware and connected life is important. In her retiring address, 2023-24 National FFA President Amara Jackson shares her story on the invitation we miss because of distractions.
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Worksheet
Undesigned Student Activity Sheet Amara Jackson- The Invitation We Miss (DOCX)
Student Activity Sheet Amara Jackson- The Invitation We Miss (PDF)
Student Activity Sheet Amara Jackson- The Invitation We Miss (DOCX)
Other
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.04Communicate clearly, effectively, and with reason. Career-ready individuals communicate thoughts, ideas and action plans with clarity, whether using written, verbal and/or visual methods.
Common Core – Speaking and Listening
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.6Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4Produce clear and coherent writing the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.PL-A.ActionAssume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-D.CharacterConduct oneself appropriately in relation to others regardless of the situation.