Motivation Engagement Lesson Plan Motivation & Engagement
Instructional Facilitation Guide
Teacher Resource
Time
30 Minutes
Audience
Grades 9-12
Approach
Game-Based, Active, Restorative
Goal
Combat School Disengagement
01 Rationale
This lesson addresses school disengagement by exploring the concept of motivation through a video and interactive activities. Students will learn about the importance of an internal locus of control and how it can impact their motivation and engagement in school. This is crucial for helping students understand factors influencing their drive and providing strategies to take control of their learning experience.
02 Required Materials
Video Slide: How to Stay Motivated
Activity: Locus of Control Game
Quiz: Motivation & Engagement
Answer Key: Motivation Quiz
03 Step-by-Step Procedure
5 MINS
Introduction & Warm-Up
Open with a brief discussion: "What does it actually feel like to be motivated? What does it feel like when you're not?"
Introduce the core theme: Beliefs about control directly impact effort and success.
6 MINS
Video Viewing
Play the video: "How to Stay Motivated" .
Instruction: "As you watch, note down one definition for 'Internal' and 'External' Locus of Control."
10 MINS
Activity: Locus of Control Game
Divide students into small groups.
Provide scenario cards (see Activity sheet). Groups must categorize each as "Internal" (personal effort) or "External" (luck/fate/others).
Groups must justify their choices to the class.
5 MINS
Assessment: Quiz
Distribute the individual quiz to check for understanding of the key concepts from the video and game.
4 MINS
Closure & Reflection
Review quiz answers using the Answer Key.
Final Question: "Think of one area in school where you feel 'unlucky' or 'out of control.' How could shifting to an internal locus of control change your approach?"
Motivation Engagement Slides Take the Wheel
Motivation & Engagement
Warm Up
What does it actually feel like to be motivated?
What does it feel like when you're not?
The Big Idea
Locus of Control
The degree to which you believe that YOU have power over the events in your life.
"Am I in the driver's seat, or just a passenger?"
Video: How to Stay Motivated
Watch & Learn
Embedded media
Pay close attention to the difference between Internal and External control.
Internal
Believing your effort and actions determine your success.
"I worked hard and studied, so I got an A."
External
Believing success is due to luck, fate, or other people.
"The teacher was just being nice today."
Game Time
Your Mission:
1 Review the scenarios on your worksheet.
2 Decide: Is this Internal or External?
3 Be ready to justify your choice!
Focus on the WHY.
Locus of Control Game Activity Locus of Control Game
Activity Sheet
Name
Date
Instructions
Read each scenario below. With your group, decide if the outcome is primarily due to Internal Factors (effort, choices, actions) or External Factors (luck, fate, other people). Circle your choice and provide a brief justification.
01
"I got a bad grade on my math project because the teacher's instructions were confusing and they just don't like me."
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
Why?
02
"I made the varsity basketball team this year because I went to the gym every morning all summer to practice my shooting."
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
Why?
03
"I didn't get the lead in the school play. I guess I'm just unlucky when it comes to auditions."
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
Why?
04
"The presentation went great because I spent three days researching and rehearsing my speech."
INTERNAL
EXTERNAL
Why?
Taking Control
Choose one of the "External" scenarios from above. How could a student re-frame that situation to have an Internal Locus of Control? What actions could they take next time?
Motivation Engagement Quiz Check Your Drive
Motivation & Engagement Quiz
Name
Date
1
What is an internal locus of control?
Believing outcomes are due to external factors
Believing outcomes are due to personal effort
Believing outcomes are due to luck
2
How did the students who believed in hard work perform in the study?
They focused on easy puzzles
They focused on hard puzzles
They did not enjoy the experiment
3
Why is having an internal locus of control important?
It helps you blame others for failures
It keeps you motivated
It makes you dependent on others
Drive Forward
In one sentence, how can you apply "internal control" to a subject you find difficult?
Motivation Engagement Answer Key Answer Key Master
Motivation & Engagement Assessment Support
Teacher Resource
Motivation Quiz Answers
Question 1
What is an internal locus of control?
Believing outcomes are due to personal effort
An internal locus of control means believing that personal effort and actions determine outcomes, rather than luck or external pressure.
Question 2
How did the students who believed in hard work perform in the study?
They focused on hard puzzles
Students who believed effort was the key to success (growth mindset/internal locus) sought out challenges rather than staying in their comfort zone.
Question 3
Why is having an internal locus of control important?
It keeps you motivated
When you believe you have power over your outcomes, you are more likely to persevere through difficulties because you know your effort matters.
Locus of Control Game Guide
Scenario Category Reasoning Teacher's instructions were confusing/teacher doesn't like me. EXTERNAL Blames outside factors (teacher) instead of seeking clarification or studying harder. Went to the gym every morning all summer to practice. INTERNAL Direct correlation between personal effort/discipline and the successful outcome. Just unlucky when it comes to auditions. EXTERNAL Attributes failure to chance/fate, which leads to "learned helplessness." Spent three days researching and rehearsing. INTERNAL Preparation and work ethic are cited as the reasons for success.