DeShawn Blanding – The Book of Life
“The Book of Life” is a 50-minute FFA personal growth lesson plan in which students watch a National FFA officer’s retiring address and reflect on the chapters of their own lives. Students complete worksheets dividing their life experiences into chapters with titles, descriptions, and illustrations, and an optional extension applies the same concept to an agricultural topic.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Recognize important life events and their effects on others.
- Evaluate their lives to determine who they are and who they want to be.
- Time required
- 50 minutes
- Materials
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- A copy of the "Book of Life" worksheet for each student
- A copy of the "My Book of Life" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Internet access for students
- Resources
- 1. FFA.org; 2. Video: "2016–17 National FFA Southern Region Vice President DeShawn Blanding's Retiring Address," https://vimeo.com/252531526/252080dc6c; 3. Appendix 1
- This Quick Lesson Plan Would Work Well As
- 1. An activity to have students reflect on their personal goals and ideals. 2. A personal growth development activity.
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Worksheet
Aligned Standards
AFNR Cluster Skills
- CS.02Evaluate the nature and scope of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster and the role of agriculture, food and natural resources (AFNR) in society and the economy.
Common Core – Writing
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.3Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.
- 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.PG-I.Professional GrowthAssume responsibility for attaining and improving upon the skills needed for career success.
- FFA.PG-J.Mental GrowthEmbrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PG-K.Emotional GrowthShare and express healthy feelings and emotions.
- FFA.PG-L.Spiritual GrowthDefine personal beliefs, values, principles and sense of balance.
- 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-C.VisionVisualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-D.CharacterConduct oneself appropriately in relation to others regardless of the situation.
- FFA.PL-E.AwarenessUnderstand personal vision, mission and goals.
- FFA.PL-F.Continuous ImprovementAccept responsibility for learning and personal growth.