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Today's Objective:
  • To learn the word of the week
  • To familiarize the advisees with a current event

Class Format: Whole-Group

Time Allotment: One 15-minute session

Word of the Week: Moxie
[mok-see] - nown Slang
Origin: 1925–30, Americanism ; after Moxie, a trademark (name of a soft drink)
1. vigor, verve; pep.
2. courage and aggressiveness; nerve
3. skill; know-how
**learn more about Moxie on dictionary.com**

Current Event: Discuss this week's current events, locally and from around the world. Click here to link to MSNBC U.S. and World News.

Essential Questions/Topic Starters: If someone told you that you had a lot of moxie, would you feel offended or feel complimented?

Today's Suggested Activities:
  • 1 minute
    • Define Moxie (and write or display definition on the board). Definition: (Use one of the above definitions.)
  • 5-10 minutes
    • Discuss Essential Question: If someone told you that you had a lot of moxie, would you feel offended or feel complimented?
    • Role-Play: Choose six advisory students to act out this role-play by showing moxie in their actions or words...While waiting for the school bus after school, a group of students notice two nearby students making fun of and picking on another student who was obviously getting his feelings hurt. Acting quickly, one of the students in the group walks up to the bullies and explains that they are being mean and should stop. -- Moxie can be defined as having courage and nerve. Did the student that helped display Moxie? If you were in this situtation, what would you do? What would have been another method of helping without getting directly involved face-to-face with the bullies? Are there times when having moxie could get you in trouble?
  • Remaining Session - (if time remains)
  • Homework: Strive for more excellence.


Key Terms: moxie, courage, grit, nerve, gumption, guts, backbone

Quote: "...These kids showed a lot of moxie. These kids can't be stopped." - Teri Rosinski, Basketball Coach

Resources: Dictionary.com, Quotesea.com MSNBCNews

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