What’s a Mentor
This “Soft” Skills Integration lesson from the National FFA Organization, titled “What’s a Mentor?”, helps students recognize the importance of having a mentor and understand the mentor-student relationship. Through reading an article, small-group discussion, and writing a letter using the “A Mentor for Me” template, students identify potential mentors in their lives and practice reaching out to them.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
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- Recognize the importance of having a mentor.
- Demonstrate the relationship between a mentor and a student.
- Time required
- 45 minutes
- Materials
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- Internet
- Computer
- Access to this website: https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/10-reasons-why-a-mentor-is-a-must.html
- A copy of the "Mentor for Me" letter template for each student
- Resources
- FFA.org
- Suggested Use
- Incorporate any of these activities into the class curriculum before and during the following: 1. Collaborative or group projects. 2. Communication activities.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
AFNR Career Ready Practices
- CRP.01Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee.
- 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.
- CRP.09Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management.
- CRP.12Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence.
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.9-10.4Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
FFA Precept
- FFA-CS-M.CommunicationEffectively interact with others in personal and professional settings.
- FFA.CS-O.Flexibility/AdaptabilityBe flexible in various situations and adapt to change.
- FFA.PG-H.Social GrowthSuccessfully interact with others and adapt to various social situations.
- 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-B.RelationshipBuild relationships, work as a team player and appreciate the talents of others.
- FFA.PL-D.CharacterConduct oneself appropriately in relation to others regardless of the situation.
FFA Precepts
- FFA.CS-N.Decision MakingAnalyze a situation and execute an appropriate course of action.
Next Generation Science
- HS-ETS1-3Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.