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Miriam Hoffman – Honor Tradition


Lesson Plans & Curriculum
High School
45 minutes

This lesson plan centers on a retiring address by 2020-21 National FFA Eastern Region Vice President Miriam Hoffman, in which she explains how honoring true traditions while making true change can lead to true progress. Students watch the video, complete an accompanying worksheet, and then examine a tradition in their own lives that they would change, walking through the steps to determine whether the change leads to true progress.

At a glance

Learning objectives
  • Describe tradition, progress and change.
  • Describe a change and the impact.
Time required
45 minutes (*Time requirements may vary based upon student understanding and class schedule.)
Grade level
Grades 9 and 10
Materials
  • A copy of the "Honor Tradition" worksheet for each student
  • Internet access to play the video in real time or embed it in a PowerPoint ahead of time
Vocabulary
1. Mantra 2. Tradition
Cross-Curricular Connections
English/Language Arts – Describe traditions and proposed changes.
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving; Flexibility and Adaptability; Initiative and Self-Direction; Leadership and Responsibility
Resources/References
Video: "Miriam Hoffman Retiring Address," https://vimeo.com/640539042
Related Resources
Retiring Addresses and Keynotes, FFA.org/ffa-video-center/convention-keynotes-and-retiring-addresses/
Virtual Instruction Ideas
Have students download and watch the video on a device of their choice and complete the worksheet.

Download Video

“Progress Born of Tradition” | Miriam Hoffman 2021 Retiring Address

Miriam Hoffman, the 2020-2021 National FFA Eastern Region Vice President, delivers her retiring address on the theme of balancing tradition and change to achieve true progress. Using personal stories—a flat tire on the way to a cattle show, her family farm, a friend named Lane who chose trade school, and the 1990 delegates who made small revisions to the FFA creed—she argues that meaningful progress comes from understanding tradition before changing it rather than making change simply to be noticed. The video opens and closes with tributes from her fellow national officers and teammates.

Downloads & Links

Lesson plan

Worksheet

Other

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-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.

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