CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Sacrifice – Jason Brown Gave Up His NFL Career to Feed Food Insecure​

Giving up something important is not always easy, but making a sacrifice can help us care for others.

Sacrifice
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills 
  • Responsible Decision-Making
Academic Skills
  • Effective Problem Solving
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

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.
Citizenship
  • Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.
Relationship Skills 

Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.

Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

Effective Problem Solving

Make rational, ethical, and effective decisions to find the best solutions to problems.

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community.

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

Students will learn about sacrifice from Jason Brown, a former NFL player, and how it impacts their lives.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What does the word sacrifice mean to you?
    • When we sacrifice, we give up something important to us in order to help others.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • What do you gain from sacrifice?
  • What did Jason Brown gain?
  • Why does sacrifice bring out the best in us?
  • Jason Brown stepped away from his NFL career to become a farmer and give back to his community. What would you give up to help your community? 
materials

Activity Materials

  • Checkers sets
activity

Activity: Checkers

  • Play checkers.
  • When one player takes their opponent’s piece, the other player shares a sacrifice someone made for them.
  • When a piece becomes King by making it across the board, that player shares a sacrifice they have made for someone.
  • Follow-up question:
    • How does it feel to make a sacrifice?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What sacrifice has someone made for you?
  • What was your takeaway from the video?

6-12

  • Jason Brown said, “When I think about a life of greatness, I think about a life of service.” What does this mean to you?
  • When is sacrifice difficult? Why?
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/E73wA_ELbpE

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about sacrifice.

  • What does sacrifice mean to you? To our family?
  • How do you see sacrifices in our family?
  • When is sacrificing something challenging for you? How can we support you in those difficult moments?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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