Students reflect on the meaning of contentment and how it is different from the meaning of complacency.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- understand that contentment is a sense of acceptance of the self, the present moment, and of life
- understand that complacency, apathy, laziness, and boredom are not contentment
- articulate the difference between contentment and complacency
- learn through the story of a historical figure that we can feel contentment about ourselves and of life while still be action- and change-oriented
Materials
Dictionary and internet, computers for research (or historical figure bios)
Exercises
Time | Activity | Notes |
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2 mins |
OpeningBegin class with a short journal prompt to activate students’ prior knowledge of contentment (possibly referring back to lessons 1 and 2) or a short mindfulness exercise. |
You can use this quote in the opening or another appropriate point of the lesson, as it is extremely applicable:
“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. |
10 mins |
IntroductionShare with students the meaning, history, and etymology of the word contentment. Have students engage with the word so that they have a deep understanding of its definition beyond just “happiness”. Contentment: A state of happiness and satisfaction: he found contentment in living a simple life in the country; synonyms: contentedness, content, satisfaction, gratification, fulfillment, happiness, pleasure, cheerfulness; ease, comfort, well-being, peace, equanimity, serenity, tranquility. Etymology: Contentment originates from the Latin contentus meaning “contained, satisfied” and has evolved through “contained,” “restrained,” to “satisfied,” as the contented person’s desires are bound by what he or she already has. (Source: Online Etymology Dictionary) |
Depending on the needs of your students, you can ask them to practice with the word contentment in various ways to fully understand it.
Examples:
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5 mins |
Contentment vs. ComplacencyDepending on your students, ask them to untangle the meaning of contentment and complacency through one of the following means (listed from most to least challenging/rigorous):
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Guiding questions to help students articulate the difference between the words:
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10-15 mins |
ApplicationShare with students a list of historical figures who clearly demonstrated a sense of contentment but not complacency. Have students do a short burst of research to explain why one of these figures is a good example of contentment without complacency, using examples from their life. Examples:
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Differentiation: Provide students with a short explanation of one or more of the historical figures with a list of their actions that demonstrate contentment but not complacency. Ensure that the content is accessible for students based on their level of skill/reading ability/other needs. |
10 mins |
DiscussionLead students in a discussion of how these historical figures demonstrated contentment without complacency, encouraging students to:
Suggestions for discussion key points:
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8 mins |
ReflectionAsk students to answer the reflection question prompt in the “formative assessment” below. |
Criteria for Success/Formative Assessment
Students will be able to define contentment and complacency correctly and be able to articulate the differences between the two concepts
Students will be able to identify the values and actions in the lives of historical figures that demonstrate contentment without complacency
Formative Assessment Prompt
Ask students to write a journal entry or short written response to the following prompt. This should be an extended writing task (8-10 mins).
How can one find contentment while avoiding complacency? Give examples from our research and discussion today.