Sometimes, we all just need a little pep talk!
Find short, engaging media to inspire with, teach about star qualities, or just use as a settle activity to get students refocused and ready to learn. Search for the best graduation speeches here. Have something to add? Email us.
From Disney movie "Miracle" about the 1980 Olympics semifinal hockey game that saw the U.S. upset Russia during the Cold War
Click image to learn more!
(song) What are the messages we get from society? Are they always true?
(documentary) The true story of the largest water evacuation in world history, September 11, 2001.
(song) "Instead of claws, they whisper lies. Sinking fear in quiet steps, So I will fight in the light 'til I give my final breath."
(song) Video features American gymnast John Orozco, 2012 Olympic gymnast.
From movie "Rudy" about real-life football player Rudy Ruettiger, the first player to be carried off the field at Notre Dame. He played only two defensive snaps recording one sack.
18-year-old artist Kendrell Daniels, who was born with no arms, surprises his favorite player, Dak Prescott, with a piece of artwork at Cowboys practice.
(graduation speech) "Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks... I want to FALL FORWARD... I didn't quit: I didn't fall back..."
Celebrate leadership as the everyday act of improving each other's lives!
It's good to remind 9th graders that they learned how to do really hard stuff in the past, like walking or riding a bike ;)
The puzzle of motivation.
Advice about how to reframe bad situations, from a retired US Navy Seal.
Rocky Balboa's inspirational (movie) speech to his son.
"Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something..."
From the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" - Our Deepest Fear.
From the movie "Dead Poet's Society" - Seize the Day.
"This is Water" (graduation speech) about everyday choices.
“You have to act as if it's possible to radically transform the world.
And you have to do it all the time.”
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What high schoolers can do.
Short geography videos:
Need a vacation for a minute? Sometimes, we'll use these to start or end class as a "settle" activity (now they're calling it mindfulness). Work in places around the world and it becomes a quick geography lesson too!