Psychological Corollary

Certain behaviors demonstrate that a person is making an effort.

Lesson Objective

Students will be able to identify behaviors that show effort. For example, being systematic, learning new skills, and working carefully show that a person is trying to do well on a job.

Social Behavior

This lesson shows students that successful people:

Social Vocabulary

• paces
• wisely
• concentrate

Other Vocabulary

• computer
• warehouse
• labourer
• aisles

Suggested Lesson Plans

Introduction

• Introduce vocabulary.

Group Use of Student Workbook

• Have students read the 12 stories, underlining the examples of effort.
• Discuss answers:
• Mara offers to work nights.
• Terry goes to night school.
• Alice repeats what the boss says in her own words.
• Linda tries every task her boss asks her to do. She asks for help only if she needs it.
• Stan takes a checklist with him on his rounds.
• Carrie made a sign that says SMILE.
• Pedro offers to help others.
• Frank checks the files each day and keeps them neat and in order.
• Jackson sits alone to do his work.
• Fran looks at a map to plan her stops
• Min lists the right order for putting parts together.
• Juan paces himself.
• Have students complete the list of things to do if they want to succeed.
• Have students look at the list again and choose the two efforts they consider most helpful.
• Have students complete that section.
• Discuss responses; ask students to justify their choices.

Follow - Up

Ask students to describe other behaviors that show effort and would impress employers (e.g., keeping a workplace neat with materials organized).

Behavior Development Activity

To encourage students to approach tasks systematically:

• Discuss with students steps involved in approaching tasks systematically, for example:
• Identifying the whole task
• Breaking the task into specific subtasks
• Figuring out the right order for completing subtasks
• Working in order and completing each task in sequence
• Organize students into groups to put the following subtasks into sequence. Tell students they are to determine how the overall task can be most efficiently and effectively accomplished. Task: Change oil in auto engine. Subtasks:
• Pour in new oil.
• Close valve after draining oil.
• Charge the customer for the work.
• Get correct number of cans of oil.
• Get proper equipment (i.e., funnel, can opener, drip pan, pliers).
• Dispose of old oil.
• Ask customer which kind of oil should be used.
• Place drip pan under engine.
• Open valve to drain oil.
• Ask students to add any steps in the process that they can think of.
• Ask each group to present its sequence and describe what could happen if the subtasks are done out of order.
• In a follow-up discussion, ask students to describe other behaviors that demonstrate effective and efficient use of time (e.g., planning, pacing, and making a list so that each step is spelled out).

Review

Ask students to identify five efforts that would help a person succeed on the job (e.g., to approach tasks sytematically, learn new skills, work carefully, listen carefully, attempt all tasks, concentrate, and be nice to customers and co-workers).

Homework (Optional)

Ask each student to identify and put into sequence one complex task (e.g., making nachos, baking a cake, or rotating tires).