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.
Share This Activity
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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RayCenter@Drake.edu

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