Story Name:  Your attitude is your compass:  With the right attitude you can be on top of the world

Teacher’s Notes:

a.  Key Topic

This story will help kids understand how their attitude can guide their actions.  Within the story plot we will describe why it is important to think for themselves and how to accomplish that.  Moreover, we will discuss the importance of positive thinking which can make all the difference in the world.

b.  Concepts Introduced to the kids through the Story

• Realize that everybody looks at life in a different way
• Understand that how we look at life has an effect on how we live life
• Learn the positive thinking is something that can be practiced and learned.

c.  Learning Objectives for the Kids

• Understand the connection between their attitude and their life
• Realize that they can change their attitude into a more positive one
• Discover how they can become better persons through positive thinking

d.  Tips for Teaching through Storytelling

When teaching youngsters, we need to use a slightly different approach than when teaching adults, meaning that youngsters relate better to visuals, examples and stories (real life examples/stories are even better) and interactive technology.  Also, young kids do not need a lot of jargon, they need a much simpler vocabulary that they can understand.  In addition, the teacher has to figure out a way to relate to the kids and there are a number of things that can be done in this direction from the type of clothes the teachers wear, to the language they use, the way they move about in the class, etc.

Storytelling is more than just reading the words of a story out loud.  It takes other skills as well.  It is important for teachers to use different tones in their voice when they are telling a story.  If the teacher’s voice stays at the same level, it becomes boring!  The teacher will want their voice to go higher and lower, louder and softer.  Teachers should try to use different voices for different characters and make sure that they speak loud enough so that everyone hears them, and say the words clearly so that everyone can understand them.

Teachers should also have in mind that storytelling is not just words; it is motion as well.  They will have to move around when they tell their story; they should use their arms, legs, hands and their face to tell the story.  In addition, they have to make sure to maintain eye contact with their audience.  Eye contract is one of the most important non-verbal ways to connect with other people.  It helps keep the attention of the audience and it also conveys a sense of confidence and truthfulness.  It is best that teachers always look directly into the kids’ eyes; they will connect with them and keep their attention longer.

e.  In-class discussion after the storytelling

• Define negative thinking and ask the kids for some examples from their daily life.  Follow with a discussion of their examples.
• Define positive thinking and ask the kids for some examples from their daily life.  Follow with a discussion of their examples.
• Ask the kids the following questions and discuss their answers.  Usually there is time to take and discuss the answers of 2 to 3 kids.

• • What was the problem with Leopold?
  • Do you think Leopold can change and if yes in what way?

The Story

It’s the weekly get-together of the Soccertopia Eagles kids and Mr. Soccerball along with the kids are gathering in their usual place and taking their seats.  Madya, Lucius and Fiducius, the “three musketeers” as Mr. Soccerball calls them, come in together as usual.  Fiducius seems to be annoyed at something as he is talking to his two friends.

-I am telling you guys, this Leopold kid is driving me nuts, he is driving our whole group crazy with the way he acts, said Fiducius.

-It cannot be that bad Fiducius, said Madya, you must be exaggerating, making things bigger than they actually are.

-No Madya, I am telling the truth said Fiducius.  We are five in our geography project group and the four of us cannot stand this guy’s behavior.  Anything and everything the rest of us say or do is no good for him.  He always finds something negative in everything, and the thing is that he never suggests what we should do to make things better.  His opinion just stops with making a nasty comment!

-I see, said Lucius, this guy has a bad attitude!

Mr. Soccerball overheard the kids’ conversation and asked Fiducius:

-What is the matter Fiducius?  Who got you upset and why?

-Well, sir, said Fiducius, we have a group project in geography at school and we are five kids in our group.  The four of us are trying hard to do a good job because we want to get an A in the project, but there is this kid, Leopold, who not only does not do his part, but he is always criticizing everything the rest of us do.

-Aha, said Mr. Soccerball.  I see that you have a problem here!  He turns to the kids and says:  “Guys can you guess what this kid’s problem is?”

-He has an attitude Mr. Soccerball, that’s what his problem is, said Lucius.

-You got that right Lucius, said Mr. Soccerball.  You see kids, our attitude influences all of our actions.  But let’s stop for a minute and try to understand what “attitude” is all about.

-It is how we feel, act and think towards something sir, said Madya.  We can have a negative attitude and see the worst in everything or we can have a positive attitude and see the best in everything, even in the worst situations.  My mom always says that attitude is a choice.  It is up to us to choose our attitude.

-This is so right Madya, said Mr. Soccerball, our attitude is one thing we can always control.  So kids, let’s do a little experiment said Mr. Soccerball, which will show us a thing or two about our attitude towards life.

Mr. Soccerball reaches for his backpack and brings out his water bottle and a clear plastic cup.  He fills the cup halfway and puts in on a desk, in the middle of the room.  He turns to the kids and asks:  Kids, tell me what do you see here?

One of the kids says “a cup half empty sir”.  Fiducius jumps in and says “it is a cup but it is not half empty, it is half full”.

Mr. Soccerball turns to all the kids and say: “And what is the difference between a cup half empty and a cup half full?”

The kids are rather confused as they are trying to figure out the difference between a cup half empty and a cup half full.  To them it is the same thing.

-But sir, said Lucius, isn’t it the same thing, just said in a different way?

-The thing is Lucius, Mr. Soccerball replied, that indeed a cup that is half full is the same with a cup that is half empty.  However, the big difference is how we see the cup.  If we see the cup as half full, we have a more positive attitude.  But if we see the cup as half empty then it means that our attitude is rather negative.

-Can we change our attitude Mr. Soccerball? asked Lucius.

-Of course, Lucius, replied Mr. Soccerball. It is on you how you want to be.  You can choose to be happy and see things in a positive way or you can choose to be unhappy by seeing something bad in everything.  Our attitude is a choice, a personal choice.

-So, we can change our attitude by turning negative thoughts into positive ones? asked Fiducius.

-You certainly can my boy, said Mr. Soccerball.  A good attitude is a habit which you can develop.

-It looks like we can use the superpowers of self-awareness and discipline to develop a positive attitude, said Lucius.

-Yeah, you are so right Lucius, said Madya.  If we want a great life, we can use our superpowers to work on our attitude so we don’t end up being losers as grown-ups.

-That’s absolutely true Madya, said Mr. Soccerball.  A happier and more positive attitude is important if you want to succeed in life.  Have a good attitude and you’ll be on top of the world; have a bad attitude and you’ll end up with problems and probably without friends.  A positive attitude is another superpower kids!

-Yes Mr. Soccerball that’s right said Madya.

When you think of good things

You always make the best of things

That’s when good thing come about

And life gets better without a doubt

-That’s exactly what I am going to say to Leopold tomorrow, said Fiducius with an excited voice.  Perhaps, this will get him thinking into changing his attitude.  And if he becomes happier, he will probably see the brighter side of things and he will probably want to spread happiness to others.

-That is right my boy, said the coach.  It usually takes a miserable person to spread misery.  Happy people always spread happiness and joy to those around them!