MS.13 Trying New Ideas
This is a National FFA LifeKnowledge Middle School lesson (MS.13, “Trying New Ideas”) on the foundational leadership skill of open-mindedness and risk-taking. Through a seed-planting creativity activity, group card exercises, and a personal action plan, students learn the benefits of trying new ideas, the disadvantages of a closed mind, and how to integrate open-mindedness into their lives. The lesson includes a teaching master, activity sheet cards, and an assessment with answer key.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- List the benefits of trying new ideas.
- List the disadvantages of having a closed mind.
- Develop an action plan for trying new things.
- Time required
- 50 minutes
- Grade level
- Middle School
- Materials
-
- Overhead projector
- MS.13.TM.A
- MS.13.AS.A
- MS.13.Assess—one per student
- Seeds—larger varieties—beans, peas, corn
- 3 x 5 index cards
- Card stock
- Thin markers, crayons, colored pens, or other colorful writing utensils
- Unit
- Stage One of Development—ME
- Problem Area
- What Foundational Skills Do I Need for Leadership?
- Precepts
- A6 Take risks to get the job done.
- Key Terms
- Comfort zone; Creativity; Old habits
Downloads & Links
Lesson plan
Presentation
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- NL-ENG.K12.8Students use a variety of technological and information resources to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.