#Maya angelou quotes about life changes how to
#Maya angelou quotes about life changes free

It would be interesting to hear some examples from the kids about a time when they persisted at something. Instead of changing your attitude and thinking you didn’t really want this anyway, keep going, persevere. You tried 10 approaches, but maybe that 11th one is going to be the successful one. Well, if you can’t change it, instead of changing your attitude, get more clever. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” What’s another way to look at the world that calls this claim into question? Let’s go to the counterclaim to see if we can create some tension in this conversation. I would even push it and ask if there is something in their life right now that isn’t going the way they want, and it’s making it difficult for them to stay positive.

How did they respond? Did they give up, get angry, do something negative, or did they do what Maya Angelou is suggesting? Did they change their attitude about it and move on? That would be a fascinating conversation. Then have them talk about things that they didn’t like, and wanted to change. Have kids talk about times when they didn’t like something, so they changed it, and it worked out. If you have a class of kids, what’s a good prompt for the conversation? What’s a good way to get this conversation going? What experiences could you draw out of them? You can still be determined and frustrated, but you can’t be a Negative Nelly, someone who is always talking about how things aren’t going their way. She’s not necessarily saying to forget about what you were trying to change, go about your day, and pretend you’re happy. Don’t think of it as a complete failure, instead think this isn’t going to work, and change your attitude to go after something else. It’s about changing the way you’re thinking about it. I don’t think she’s saying give up, necessarily. This is advice from someone who has credibility as a civil rights activist. If that doesn’t work out, then change your attitude. A very empowering quote.ĭo you like this for the claim? Like you were saying, if you don’t like your situation, go out and change it. We also need to understand that when we can’t change things, then we have to change the way we think about them. It motivates us to do things to make our situations better. What’s interesting is this idea of self-improvement. Maybe get a little more creative or divert your energy somewhere else. But, then she says, if you can’t change it, you have to change your way of thinking. She was a civil rights activist, so this quote makes a lot of sense, given her life trajectory. If you don’t like something, go out and change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” What claim would you say she’s making? “If you don’t like something, change it.

#Maya angelou quotes about life changes how to

She’s giving advice on how to approach things when they aren’t going your way. We all find ourselves in these types of moments throughout life. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” She’s offering straightforward advice about how to react to situations in life that aren’t going your way, or that you don’t like. We are teaching different with poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou with a quote about determination. Image source: Flickr | York College ISLGP Membership includes access to our robust library of resources, conversation plans, and lively discussions among teachers and faculty.

#Maya angelou quotes about life changes free

Whether you are a teacher, school leader, or simply someone interested in experiencing the joy and fulfillment of challenging kids with big ideas, join our worldwide Community of Educators FREE for 30 days. Join Steve and Dan Fouts for a conversation about determination using the Teach Different 3-Step conversation method. Knowledge of when to work towards change and when to accept the status quo is a form of wisdom only gained through experience. In those situations it is our attitude that needs fixing. We also tell children that it’s important to know when you can’t change things and to accept the world the way it is. If you don’t like your situation, then change it. We’re always telling children that it’s important not to complain about things and that it’s always better to be part of the solution, rather than the problem. How do we know when to give up on change?