CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Courage – Diving into the Unknown, Student-Athlete Proves the Merits of Hard Work

When faced with new challenges, it can be difficult to overcome roadblocks we have not experienced before. However, small acts of courage add up and can help us find success in the most challenging of moments.

Courage
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
SEL Skills
  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management 
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion 
  • Diligent Learner 

Definitions

Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.
Self-Awareness

Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes. 

Self-Management

Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions and resist negative emotions and impulses.

Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them.

Diligent Learner

Have a growth mindset and is willing to learn from mistakes.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
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The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Gerald Hodges, a high school swimmer, shows responsibility in this video by persevering through challenges to grow and find success. Students will learn the importance of having courage in difficult moments.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What does it take to be successful?
  • What does courage mean?
    • When we show courage, we have the mental or moral strength to persevere through difficulty.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

Click here for the shortened video (best for secondary students).

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • In the video, Gerald Hodges says, “If I couldn’t handle not being good at something, then how could I consider myself a successful person?” What does that mean to you?
  • What are the challenges of not feeling confident in yourself? What things help you move past those challenges and continue to try?
  • How is failure the key to future success, as Steve Hartman says in this story?
  • How does Gerald show responsibility? What lesson in responsibility can you take away from him?
  • What does Gerald show us about courage?
activity

Activity: Clap, Snap, Stomp

  • Place students into pairs, facing each other.
  • Instruct students to count to “3” by alternating numbers. Continue until you tell them to stop (about 30 seconds).
    • For example: Player A: 1, Player B: 2, Player A: 3, Player B: 1, Player A: 2, Player B: 3, and so on.
  • Practice this and increase the speed. Once they get this, replace the “one” with a clap (clap your hands).
    • Player A: Clap, Player B: 2, Player A: 3, Player B: Clap, Player A: 2, Player B: 3, and so on.
  • Once everyone has done that several times, replace “two” with a snap (snap your fingers or mimic the action).
    • Player A: Clap, Player B: Snap, Player A: 3, Player B: Clap, Player A: Snap, Player B: 3, and so on.
  • Finally, replace “three” as well with a stomp (stomp your foot).
    • Player A: Clap, Player B: Snap, Player A: Stomp, Player B: Clap, Player A, Snap, Player B: Stomp, and so on.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • How difficult did the activity seem at first? How did it compare to adding in the actions?
    • Much like Gerald, you were tasked with doing something new. What helped you find success?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Write about a time when something was hard for you. How did that feel? What helped you work through that challenge?
  • What makes you feel courageous?
  • How can you show responsibility like Gerald did?

6-12

  • Describe a time when you were not good at something. How did that feel? What did you do about these feelings and the activity you were trying?
  • What is something you want to be successful at, but the fear of failure is getting in the way? What can you do to help yourself?
  • What will you take away from Gerald’s story?
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents, or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch
Watch the video as a family: https://youtu.be/pVWZqNis9Mc

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about courage.

  • Talk about a time when something did not come easily for you, but you were able to be successful. What did it take to find success?
  • When is it challenging to show responsibility?
  • What have you learned from failure and making mistakes?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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