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PBIS: Commitment

You can fear commitment, but don't fear Shmoop.

  • Course Length: 1 week
  • Course Type: Short Course
  • Category:
    • PBIS
    • Middle School
    • High School

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We want you and your students to be committed. No, put away the straight jacket...even though there are probably a few people you want to restrain.

We're talking about commitment as in setting goals and sticking to them. Following this course on commitment is more of a commitment than watching a video of a sloth on a skateboard, but less of a commitment than marriage, unless you're marrying Kim Kardashian. (Remember her first marriage? No, we don't either.)

In this course you will find

  • a reading quiz on self-discipline and procrastination. (No, you can't put it off until tomorrow.)
  • lessons on honoring social commitments, building confidence, and extracurricular activities.
  • discussion ideas like talking about the differences between realistic vs. unrealistic goals, or confidence vs. arrogance. (Finishing this course is realistic. Wanting to take over the world is both unrealistic and arrogant.)

We at Shmoop take this stuff seriously (unlike Kim and her first marriage). Some people might think we're crazy. We just like to say we're committed.

Unit Breakdown

1 PBIS: Commitment - Commitment

In this five-lesson unit, we'll consider what commitment looks like in a variety of different contexts:

  • Schoolwork
  • Social
  • Confidence
  • Extracurriculars
  • Community

You'll learn about the benefits of being committed, how to get committed, and how to keep it up. The first step? Commit to making it through this course.


Sample Lesson - Introduction

Lesson 1.01: Commitment and Schoolwork

 
This was literally the snow cone that killed Bjorn. Rest in peace, big guy. (Source)

Weekends are all about fun in the sun, and this one is no different. Or is it? It's been all over the news, at least the news you watch. This Saturday there's a snow cone-eating competition over at the park. The grand prize is a thousand bucks.

Since you are a master of the art of snow cone consumption, you figure you're a shoe-in. That cash would certainly come in handy.

The trick is, of course, eating quickly enough to win, but not so fast your head explodes from brain freeze. Sadly, this is what took out the former champ, Bjorn Snowconersson, at the prime of his career.

As you assess your eating strategy, your thoughts suddenly come to a screeching halt. Coffee. You haven't even started on your report on the history of coffee and it's due first period on Monday. Which, in an irony only suited for real life and great fiction, will require coffee to finish.

You could just blow the report off and head down to the park, but you know that's not the right choice. This report is worth twenty percent of your grade and bombing this class would lead to serious grounding. That could mean no more snow cones. Ever.

So, instead of hitting the park this weekend, you'll be hitting the books. Your dream of being the next Bjorn Snowconersson will have to wait.

Committing to your schoolwork isn't always fun, and it often means giving up something you'd rather do. That report on coffee might seem silly now, but it'll help you make a good grade. Colleges like good grades, and if you don't go to college, how will you ever become a professional snow cone chef?

Sample Lesson - Reading

Reading 1.1.01: Commitment to Schoolwork

Schoolwork is important. That's obvious, though. You are reading this lesson for school, after all (we know what we're about). An education is one of those things that you can't not get and expect to do well in this society.

Going to and graduating from school takes a hefty amount of commitment. It might not have been your idea to sign up for this whole school thing, but without it, you'll have a pretty tough time doing things like getting a job when you get older.

Imagine what would happen if none of your teachers showed up to school one day. You might be pretty excited for a little while, but then reality would set in. Hey, they made a promise to teach you, so where are they?

Committing to school requires more than just showing up every day (though that's pretty important, Shmoopers). It means participating in class, completing assignments at school and at home, and paying attention in class.

Showing commitment to your schoolwork takes a certain amount of self-discipline, or the need to get done what has to get done. The older you get, the more you have to rely on yourself to do what's right.

There are several different ways that you can demonstrate commitment to schoolwork. There's a nifty side effect to all of this commitment. When you follow through on school commitments, it usually means better grades. Here are some ways you can show your commitment to your schoolwork:

  • Finish homework and turn it in on time.
  • Pay attention and participate in class.
  • Learn how to study.

Let's start with homework. With so many temptations at home, it's easy to procrastinate. Everyone does it. Don't act like you don't. But when you do homework first rather than putting it off, you're more likely to get it done.

Getting homework done isn't the only thing you have to worry about when you make a commitment to school. You also have to get your work done well. It's completely okay to ask a friend, parent, or teacher if you're struggling with homework. Keeping up might seem like a pain, but it's worth the effort.

Paying attention in class is another obvious way to be committed. Taking notes and asking questions are two ways to really absorb all of that knowledge that the teachers want you to learn.

Finally, learning how to study can really pull you into a subject. Studying is a real art—and it's different for everyone. For some of you, making flashcards works. For others, reading up on a subject on the internet or re-writing notes does the trick. Cornell notes, anyone?

In the Real World

Check out this brief history of procrastination.

Sample Lesson - Activity

  1. Luke has decided that this is the year he's finally going to commit to his schoolwork, and he's going to start by paying attention in class. He's going to zero in on what his teachers have to say like a laser, and—oh, shoot. Luke fell asleep.

    If Luke wants to look alive in class, which of the following methods is the best way to keep his head in the game and off of his desktop?

  2. Which of the following scenarios is the clearest example of procrastination?

  3. German is Brenda's worst subject. She can't tell a strudel from a sprudel. If Brenda wants to commit to being an über-student, which studying strategy should she pick up faster than you can say glockenspiel?

  4. Chris and Adrienne bought tickets to see Florida Georgia Line at House of Blues six months ago, and they've been counting down the days until they can sing along with "This Is How We Roll" live. There's just one snag: they have their economics final the morning after the show.

    If Chris and Adrienne want to ace the exam, which of the following choices will most guarantee a good grade?

  5. It's Monday. Bryce has five sets of algebra problems due Friday. If Train A leaves Hartford going 60 miles per hour, and Train B leaves Detroit going 70 miles per hour, when should Bryce start on his math homework?