Laughter triggers positive thinking and can give an individual a more optimistic perspective when faced with problems, stress, and difficult situations. From Tamara Zentic's 13 & Counting: Rescue Me?, this activity will allow students to display zest...

Students will identify ways to stop a negative or harmful thought with this exercise from Tamara Zentic's 13 & Counting: Rescue Me? Start the morning off with smelly trash in a trash can in the classroom without saying anything to your...

In this activity, students will practice goal setting, which can be a difficult task for some. Often times, students only see the problems in their life and not the opportunities for growth and development. As adults, we need to encourage them to look...

Students will understand the importance of completing their work even when it becomes difficult, they will also learn to identify how zest can influence others. For this exercise, from ZEST: Live It! Activity Guide, candy will represent zest and...

Individuals who possess higher levels of zest tend to be energetic and a source of motivation to those around them. Zest is thought to bring out the best and most positive qualities in a person. It enables a person to approach life as an exciting...

The more people focus on the positive things happening in their lives, the more zest they will have. All students should be encouraged to find ways to look at their world through a positive lens. In this activity from ZEST: Live It! Activity Guide,...

By identifying areas within the school that they could improve, students will gain the knowledge of the steps needed to stay on task and work effectively as a group. Place students in groups and ask them to search for the top "100 Best Of..." This...

One way to avoid Zest Zappers is to be proactive instead of reactive. Being proactive leads to positive emotions while being reactive can generate negative emotions. In this activity, students will recognize the moods of others and use self-monitoring...

The goal of this activity is to show how zest and enthusiasm are decreased by our lack of organization and the ability to maintain a sense of order. Energy is wasted when we spend our valuable time searching for items that we need. Frustration mounts and...

Watch as students show enthusiasm while they practice waiting patiently for their turn. During class, students will be asked to brainstorm definitions or ideas of the word "zest." Once that step is completed, the next step in the lesson is an activity...

Students will exhibit zest by actively participating and making decisions on what items to take to a deserted island.  Start the lesson by leading the class into a discussion with the provided questions. The purpose of this activity is having...

Students will display zest by showing enthusiasm and optimism while finding various “wonders” in nature. They will practice keeping property in its place and utilize strategies to self-correct their behavior if needed. The activity...

Students will practice zest by showing enthusiasm, optimism, and pride in their accomplishments when creating and sharing their “Zest Books.” This activity will help to identify what zest is and is not. Read the book ZEST: Live...

This activity will allow students to clarify their values and beliefs by starting out the lesson listing the top 7 to 10 most important things in their lives. Once they think of what they are thankful for, they can build on that to identify their values...

Whether we are aware of it or not, we constantly compare ourselves to others. This lesson is designed to get students to view themselves apart from others and to judge only their own growth in comparison to their own self. From Tamara Zentic's 13 &...

Self-esteem is more than just body image or how an individual feels about his or her appearance. Self-worth is influenced and shaped by our minds (thoughts and intellect), our emotions, our values, and our relationships with other people. It is important...