I now have a professionally written user guide for “ACHIEVERS”. I wanted it to be the best it could be so hired an experienced teacher to write it. She did a great job! It is available for classrooms or clubs, anywhere the book is being used. Please email me for more information. I will be happy to send you some excerpts and an outline for your perusal. I will provide it for free when accompanied by an order for 10 books or more.
USER GUIDE for ACHIEVERS ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
by Mary Linda Sather, B.S. M.Ed. educator, educational consultant, speaker, writer, and author and Rob Severson, B.A. former bank finance company president, financing coach, entrepreneur, speaker, and author
ABOUT THE GUIDE
This Guide was developed to use with the book, Achievers Ordinary People Who Do Extraordinary Things. Together they provide a valuable resource for teachers, counselors, and group leaders who teach about college, other post-secondary options, and career readiness. The lessons and supporting materials motivate and inspire students to reflect on their own dreams for the future, learn how to set goals to reach those dreams, and challenge them to apply lessons learned from the Achievers stories to their own lives. The framework and details of the lessons intentionally have been left open so that users can creatively modify them to best meet the unique needs of their students and to allow for flexibility in scheduling. If more time can be devoted to this unit of study, individual lessons could be subdivided.
To set the tone for an environment where students can feel safe to explore and share, and to build connections that create trust, it is suggested that the teacher/leader participate in activities and assignments and share his/her examples and ideas as appropriate.
LESSON 1
DREAMS & POSSIBILITIES
“We all begin our education at birth and continue with the process throughout our entire lifetime.”
Rob Severson, author of Achievers: Ordinary People Who Do Extraordinary Things
“Every achievement, big or small, begins in your mind.”
Mary Kay Ash, American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney, American movie and TV producer
OUTCOMES
Students will:
– examine copies of the book, Achievers Ordinary People Who Do Extraordinary Things
– learn how reading, reflecting on, and discussing the stories in the book can motivate and inspire them to start planning for their futures
– identify the differences between a fantasy and a dream
– explain their concept of “dream” as it relates to their futures
– understand that with goals a dream can become a reality
– participate in a guided visualization exercise
– share and discuss in class examples of the dreams they have for their futures, both short and long-term
– create a “dream vision” that captures the essence of their dreams
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES
I. Introduction to the unit and the book
II. Class discussion about the differences between a fantasy and a dream
III. Guided Visualization
“ I believe that visualization is one of the most powerful means of achieving personal goals.”
Harvey Mackay, contemporary American businessman
Students will participate in a guided visualization exercise that focuses on how they might see themselves 6-8 years from the present relative to their future education, activities, and interests. Cue them to move from the imagination of dreams to the concrete actions required to turn a dream into reality. Encourage them to use sensory cues, sense of place, interaction with others, etc. to make the visualization more real and meaningful.
IV. “Dream Vision”
Students create a personal “dream vision” that expresses their life
dreams by making a collage with pictures and/or words, creating a drawing or painting, writing a poem or brief essay, singing a song, performing a pantomime or using another means of self-expression. Finish outside of class if more time is needed.
