Building for Sustainability

Lesson Context

Grade Level: 12th Grade (High School Juniors and Seniors)
Subject Area: English (Focus on Applied Non-Fiction)
Curriculum Framework: Pennsylvania Common Core Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) – Writing, Reading Nonfiction, and Critical Thinking
Book Focus: Built to Last by Jim Collins
Lesson Duration: 15-minute micro-lesson for a class size of 2 students
Objective: Develop an understanding of organizational sustainability and its application to real-life projects, specifically their FIRST robotics club.

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Understand and analyze the core concept of "visionary companies" and how this applies to the sustainability of their robotics team.
2. Demonstrate critical thinking by connecting abstract concepts from Built to Last with the practical needs of maintaining and sustaining a club.
3. Use reflective questioning strategies to assess the long-term vision and core values of their team.
4. Practice effective communication by analyzing the book and applying its principles in a cooperative activity.

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Materials Needed

• Two copies of Built to Last
• Whiteboard or large sheet of paper for brainstorming
• Markers/pens and notebooks
• Pre-made Visionary Framework Worksheet (teacher will provide)

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Lesson Structure

Step 1: Introduction (2 minutes)

1. Start with a Hook:
   Pose this question to the students:

   If your robotics club were a company, would it still exist 20 years from now? Why or why not?
   Allow them to think and jot down brief answers in their notebooks for 30 seconds. Encourage them to think in terms of leadership, goals, and team values.

2. Tie in the Book's Theme:
   Briefly explain that in Built to Last, Jim Collins studies why some companies sustain themselves for decades while others fail, and today’s lesson will focus on key ideas from the book. Highlight that this matters to their robotics team, as they need to think about leaving a legacy.

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Step 2: Key Concept Analysis (5 minutes)

Focus Section of the Book: Chapter Two, "Clock Building, Not Time Telling"
Explain that this chapter introduces the idea that visionary organizations focus on building a solid system or structure (clock building) rather than relying on momentary successes (time telling).

1. Read Aloud & Think-Pair-Share (3 minutes):

   • Have one student read a short excerpt (pre-selected by the teacher) from Chapter Two that defines visionary companies' focus on sustainability.

   • Direct students to reflect briefly and then discuss the following question with their partner:

     What systems or traditions does your robotics club currently have in place to keep it running smoothly? Would they still work if key members graduated or left the team?

2. Lead Back to the Principles (2 minutes):
   On the whiteboard, summarize a few key points from the discussion to reinforce important principles:

   • A successful organization looks beyond individual leaders.
   • Systems, processes, and shared values keep it strong.
   • Sustainability requires alignment to a long-term vision.

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Step 3: Application Activity (5 minutes)

Goal: Help students actively apply the book’s ideas to their team.

1. Visionary Framework Worksheet:
   Present students with a worksheet that prompts them to fill out the following for their robotics club:

   • Core Purpose: What is the robotics team’s true purpose beyond competitions?
   • Core Values: What values guide how the team operates?
   • Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG): What’s one bold, long-term goal for the team?

2. Discuss and Share:
   After 3 minutes of completing the worksheet, have each student share one response from their worksheet. Encourage them to reflect critically and offer constructive feedback to one another.

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Step 4: Closing Reflection (3 minutes)

1. Connect Back to the Book:
   Ask the students the following reflective question:

   How can you, as leaders, “build clocks” for the robotics club? What systems or traditions can you establish that will remain even after you graduate?

   Encourage them to think of one tangible action they’d like to take this semester (e.g., creating a mentoring system, writing a club handbook, or setting up committees).

2. Exit Ticket:
   Have the students write down this action on a slip of paper and hand it to the teacher as their "exit ticket." Ensure they understand this will serve as a foundation for future discussions.

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Teacher Notes

Adaptations for Small Group:

• Because the group consists of only two students, use their personal experiences in the robotics club to build rich, detailed discussions. Allow ample time for each student’s input.

Standards Alignment:

• CC.1.2.11–12.A: Determine central ideas of a text; provide an accurate summary.
• CC.1.4.11–12.G: Write arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and sufficient evidence.
• CC.1.5.11–12.D: Present information with clear perspective and reasoning.

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Extensions and Homework

1. Reflection Journal:
   Assign each student to write a 300-word response reflecting on the sustainability of their robotics club and how they can incorporate a “core ideology” similar to what Collins describes into their leadership.

2. Reading Assignment:
   Assign students to finish reading Chapter Two: "Clock Building, Not Time Telling," and to flag one example in the chapter that they think is most applicable to their team.

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Assessment

• Mastery of Concepts: Evaluate mastery based on the depth of responses in the Visionary Framework Worksheet and exit tickets.
• Class Participation: Gauge understanding based on the clarity and thoughtfulness of their responses during group discussions and share-outs.
• Reflection Journal: Use written assignments to assess their ability to synthesize and apply concepts from Built to Last to real-world examples.

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End Note to Teacher:
This lesson plan is intentionally designed to foster critical thinking and personal engagement by blending literary analysis with applications to real-world projects. Feel free to modify the Visionary Framework Worksheet to include elements specific to your school's FIRST robotics culture!