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Volume 3, Issue 5

Volume 3, Issue 5

September 29, 2003
Document
Topic: 
MAXIMize the Moment

Aspiration

Story

Mr. Caesar is in a particularly good mood today: "These papers hold the key to unlocking a dynamic adventure in science. It's a chance to imagine and explore, to develop a theory and test it out," he says with a smile.

I read the paper. It 's a project sheet for the Science Fair. Ugh!

"Why are we starting this already?" I ask.

"Colin, I'm glad you asked," Mr. Caesar responds. "Would you please read the quote at the top of the assignment sheet?"

"'Well begun is half done.' Aristotle. How is that supposed to make me feel better?"

He explains his point: "Take the time to find a topic that you're really interested in and the project will be easier and more fun. Thoughtfully design your experiment and create a reasonable work schedule and everything will go smoother. 'Well begun is half done.' Once you see what a difference it makes when you start things off right, you'll find that phrase to be true for a lot more than your Science Fair project."

Over the next few weeks, we work through the process Mr. Caesar described. I come up with an experiment comparing how well plants grow under different color light bulbs. It ends up being a lot better than I'd imagined. Mr. Caesar was right. Starting right made the whole project easier.

Maybe that lesson will help me with the Social Studies project Miss Rose just gave us….

This week's maxim is "Well begun is half done." 

Teacher Information

Maxim

  • "Well begun is half done."
    Aristotle

Featured character trait

  • Aspiration - I have goals and ideals which I work towards.

Character points (for substitution if this week's trait isn't one of your school's core values)

  • Commitment - I stay focused on my goals and work hard.
  • Dedication - I put in the effort and energy to do my best.
  • Excellence - I work hard to do my best.
  • Motivation - I am determined; I work to put forth my best effort.

Discussion starters / journal writing prompts

  • Why is it a good idea to take the time and plan things early?
  • Is it hard to start projects early and work on them regularly? Why or why not?
  • What do you think is harder-taking the time to start things off right or sticking with the plan you've made?
  • Why is it helpful to know the strengths and weaknesses of the way you do school work and big assignments?
  • Have you ever waited to start something until the last minute and then wished you'd started sooner? How do you think that effected the job you did?
  • Have you ever gotten started on something early? What was that experience like?
  • How do you feel about your work and yourself when start on big assignments early and work little by little instead of trying to get everything done at the last minute?
  • What can I, as your teacher, do to help you work on assignments in an organized way?
  • Do you agree with this week's maxim? What other kinds of situations could it apply to? (e.g. a sports team planning for a big game, a family getting ready for a holiday or birthday party, etc.)

Related Links

Extending the Conversation

The next time you assign a project or announce a big test, take the time to have students develop time management plans. Before they create a management timeline, have small groups brainstorm that various considerations (what work needs to be done, what order should it be done in, how much time do you have, what competing commitments need to be taken into account, etc.) that go into planning for a big project or studying for a major test. You can come up with a schedule as a whole class and have students revise it to better meet their needs or you can have students work on the plans individually or in pairs.