Josiah Cruikshank – The Life That’s Chosen Us
This is a National FFA leadership lesson plan built around the 2021-22 National FFA Western Region Vice President Josiah Cruikshank’s retiring address, “The Life That’s Chosen Us.” Students watch the video and complete a worksheet exploring how facing obstacles and discomfort leads to growth, then develop a personal action plan for building a tough mindset. The resource includes the lesson plan, a student worksheet, and an answer key.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Identify the growth and rewards that are achieved through discomfort.
- Develop a plan of action to help them build a tough mindset.
- Time required
- 60 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
- Grade level
- Grades 9 and 10
- Materials
-
- A copy of the "The Life That's Chosen Us" worksheet for each student
- Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
- Vocabulary
- Despair; Discomfort; Entitlement
- Cross-Curricular Connections
- English/Language Arts — Students write an action plan for developing a tough mindset.
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Communication; Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Flexibility and Adaptability; Initiative and Self-direction; Leadership and Responsibility; Think Creatively
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Josiah Cruikshank-The Life That's Chosen Us (PDF)
Josiah Cruikshank-The Life That's Chosen Us (DOCX)
Worksheet
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.02Apply appropriate academic and technical skills. Career-ready individuals readily access and use the knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education to be more productive.
- 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.
- CRP.06Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- CRP.08Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Career-ready individuals readily recognize problems in the workplace, understand the nature of the problem, and devise effective plans to solve the problem.
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-MCommunication: Effectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.CS-NDecision Making: Analyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
- FFA.PG-JMental Growth: Embrace cognitive and intellectual development relative to reasoning, thinking and coping.
- FFA.PL-AAction: Assume responsibility and take the necessary steps to achieve the desired results, no matter what the goal or task at hand.
- FFA.PL-CVision: Visualize the future and how to get there.
- FFA.PL-EAwareness: Understand personal vision, mission and goals.