What is all the hype?
Fourth grade students are learning about perseverance. Ms. Logiudice did a lesson using some clips from Nemo and Class Do Jo to introduce the concepts.
Fourth graders welcomed Gabby and Jadyn from the Harvard Women's Basketball team to their classroom. Gabby and Jadyn talked to the students about perseverance and grit.
Their message is to set your goals for YOU. Think about what YOU care to accomplish. And even if you don't reach that goal, always give your best effort. It is great to know that you tried your hardest and prepared to the best of your abilities. Sometimes, you have to examine your goal and make adjustments. Roadblocks happen, like injuries. You have to adjust, and work even harder. Always give it your best effort. You may need to develop new strategies. Sometimes you run into frustrations, but don't be afraid.
Be willing to try new things and challenge yourself. By doing things, it will help you grow.
Never give up. Never let anyone tell you you're not good enough. Both G&J are considered small for basketball (Gabby is the smallest on the team). Starting in recreational basketball, and moving up to middle school, high school, and then college, always working harder and harder.
Write down your goals now. Put them in a dream book. Gabby wrote in 2nd grade that she wanted to go to Harvard. She didn't even know where it was. But she knew it was the best.
Don't compare yourself to others. We all have different purposes in life.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Jadyn had shoulder surgery. She has had to ask her mom for a lot of help. Now during rehab, she has to adjust her goals. Be sure to use the resources around you.
Don't forget to celebrate your victories along the way.
Questions from the kids:
- What position do you play? Jadyn plays forward. That is a position that generally has a taller player, but she is not tall.
- Who was the toughest team you faced? Notre Dame, the defending National champions. It was a very, very hard game, but we used it as an opportunity to get better. It was a great learning experience.
- What hurdles do you face? Physical size. Both are the shortest on the team. Need to work harder to prove themselves. Competing with people that are a foot taller than you forces you to stay mentally tough.
- What did you do to have what it takes? Hard work, focus, determination, learning from failures, perseverance and being courageous.
- How do you deal with the stress on the court in front of big crowds? As you progress in basketball, the crowds get bigger. You get used to it. You learn to zone in on your teammates.
- Why basketball? They've been playing since 5 years old. Played many other sports. You need to try out a lot of things. Finding what you don't like is as helpful as finding what you like.
- What are you learning in college? Gabby is learning how to think (philosophy), leadership, and how to write a good essay. Jadyn's concentration is economics, learning about how businesses operate and how people spend money.
- How do you handle sports and school?
Trying to stick so a schedule to keep a routine. Balance is key. The basketball court is across the river from school and they spend at least 4 hours a day there. You need to value time, have discipline, but you also have to listen to your body to factor in sleep. Invest your time versus spending your time.
- What advice do you have for 4th graders? Try a lot of new things, keep track of what you like and what you don't like, use the resources around you.
Some of the students shared their goals:
Abigail would like to be a mechanical engineer, building robots at MIT. Jeremy would like to be a politician. Isaac wants to become a math teacher. Remi wants to be a programmer. Kirubel wants to be a doctor.