Dreams+-+Aspirations

=This lesson for the Dream unit is under development.= = = = = Image retrieved from [], 1 August 2011.

Why should we think about aspirations?

 * ====Everyone has aspirations or dreams of some kind====
 * ====Dreams or aspirations give a person hope, something to look forward to and work towards, and can lead to great creative ideas====
 * ====Without aspirations people would not strive to change things for the better====

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Post your ideas to these questions on the discussion board.

 * 1) === What does it mean to aspire to something? What is an aspiration? ===
 * 2) ==== Do you think it is important that we each have aspirations? ====
 * 3) ==== What or who do you believe might influence what we aspire to? ====
 * 4) ==== Do you think people are more effective working individually towards their aspirations or collectively with others? ====
 * 5) ==== Do you think that all aspirations achievable? Is this important? ====
 * 6) ==== Do aspirations change over time or stay the same? ====

= = ====1. Find out the translation for **//aspire//** or **//aspiration//** in at least five other languages. Have you found any languages which do not have a word for this?====

3. Interview another classmate to find out about their own personal aspirations. Record your interview, both questions and answers, either as a sound file, video or as written notes.
==== 4. Have a go at some of the interesting games and puzzles on the website 'Brainsteasers and Puzzles - a site to raise young people's aspirations'. ====

5. Create a piece of artwork in response to the poem below.
**Dare To Dream** Let nothing hold you back from exploring your wildest fantasies, wishes, and aspirations. Don't be afraid to dream big and to follow your dreams wherever they may lead you. Open your eyes to their beauty; open your mind to their magic; open your heart to their possibilities.

Dare to dream. Whether they are in color or in black and white, whether they are big or small, easily attainable or almost impossible, look to your dreams, <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">and make them become reality. <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">Wishes and hopes are nothing <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">until you take the first step <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">towards making them something!

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial;">Dare to dream, <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">Because only by dreaming, w<span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">ill you ever discover <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">who you are, what you want, <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">and what you can do. <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">Don't be afraid to take risks, <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">to become involved, <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">to make commitment. <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">Do whatever it takes to make <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">your dreams come true. <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">Always believe in miracles, <span style="font-family: verdana,arial; font-size: small;">and always believe in you!

<span style="font-family: verdana,arial;">~ Julie Anne Ford ~

Poem retrieved from [], 1 August 2011.

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 * ====How important is the role of freedom, free choice and the ability to express yourself in developing and following your dreams?====
 * ====What impact do you think war, poverty and famine have on people's dreams? Do you think if these were not global issues more people would be free to dream and follow their ideas and use their creativity that the world would be different in any way?====
 * ====Do you think that it makes any difference whether we express our aspirations and dreams or keep them to ourselves?====
 * ====Do you believe that having the opportunity to follow our personal dreams makes an impact on us as individuals? If so, what do you think the flow on effect of this might be to others around us?====