Courage
Theme: The Power of Fear Film: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (PG) 0:49
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Years before the adventures of Luke Skywalker, young Anakin Skywalker, Luke's father, seeks to join in the ranks of the legendary Jedi knights, keepers of the peace and protectors of the galaxy. In the midst of an interview with Yoda and Mace Windu, key members of the Jedi Council, Anakin is taught an important lesson about the dark power of fear. Knowing that this young boy one day will grow up to become the dreaded Darth Vader, Yoda's warning to him sounds even more threatening.
This 1999 film from Twentieth-Century Fox and Lucasfilm LTD. is written and directed by George Lucas and produced by Rick McCallum. It stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Prenilla August, and Frank Oz.
Teaser Question: Describe a time when your fear kept you from doing something.
Going Deeper: Do you think most people who are angry are also afraid? Why? Why not? Has fear ever caused you to do the wrong thing? On the other hand, has fear ever caused you to do the right thing? Can fear be a good thing?
Making Choices: You are invited to a party by a person you do not know well, but with whom you would like to become better friends. You know that there will be drinking and no parental supervision at the party. You are afraid to go to an unsupervised party but also anxious about what this person will think of you if you don't go. Even if you go , you are afraid to drink but also afraid of what others will says if you don't drink. In the face of so many different fear, what would you do?
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.”
—Yoda
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." —Franklin Delano Roosevelt
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Years before the adventures of Luke Skywalker, young Anakin Skywalker, Luke's father, seeks to join in the ranks of the legendary Jedi knights, keepers of the peace and protectors of the galaxy. In the midst of an interview with Yoda and Mace Windu, key members of the Jedi Council, Anakin is taught an important lesson about the dark power of fear. Knowing that this young boy one day will grow up to become the dreaded Darth Vader, Yoda's warning to him sounds even more threatening.
This 1999 film from Twentieth-Century Fox and Lucasfilm LTD. is written and directed by George Lucas and produced by Rick McCallum. It stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd, Ian McDiarmid, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Prenilla August, and Frank Oz.
Teaser Question: Describe a time when your fear kept you from doing something.
Going Deeper: Do you think most people who are angry are also afraid? Why? Why not? Has fear ever caused you to do the wrong thing? On the other hand, has fear ever caused you to do the right thing? Can fear be a good thing?
Making Choices: You are invited to a party by a person you do not know well, but with whom you would like to become better friends. You know that there will be drinking and no parental supervision at the party. You are afraid to go to an unsupervised party but also anxious about what this person will think of you if you don't go. Even if you go , you are afraid to drink but also afraid of what others will says if you don't drink. In the face of so many different fear, what would you do?
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you.”
—Yoda
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." —Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Theme: Taking the First Step Film: Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade (PG-13) 2:09
He has fought Nazis, thieves, and killers. He has faced countless death traps, supernatural forces, sewer rats, and snakes. But now Indiana Jones faces his most fearsome challenge: to take a step of faith against all odds. The situation is desperate; his father, with whom he has recently been reunited, is dying from wounds that cannot be healed by normal means. Indy's only hope to save his father lies in the miraculous healing powers of the mysterious Holy Grail.
In order to retrieve the Grail, Indiana Jones must reach a cave from which he is separated by a huge chasm. Indy looks down and cannot see the bottom. One step and, surely, he is a dead man. Yet, it is precisely a step that he is asked to take. His father urges him on, knowing that one must step out in faith to make it to safety. Indiana has lived his whole life by common sense and reason; this makes no sense. There is, however, no other way. Either he watches his father die, or he trusts his father's advice and takes that dreaded first step...
This 1989 film from Paramount Pictures and Lucasfilm, Ltd. is directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Jeffrey Boam from a story by George Lucas and Menno Meyjes and produced by Robert Watt. It stars Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Allison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, and Julian Glover.
Teaser Question: What enables you to take the first step?
Going Deeper: How is the future like the invisible bridge that Indiana Jones had to step out on? What is the difference between a leap of faith and a leap of foolishness?
Making Choices: You've moved to a new school. For the first few weeks no one talks to you. You want desperately to make friends, but you are afraid to do so. What will give you the courage to talk to other students? How could others help you gain the courage to take that first step?
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” --Eleanor Roosevelt
“One man with courage makes a majority." —Andrew Jackson
He has fought Nazis, thieves, and killers. He has faced countless death traps, supernatural forces, sewer rats, and snakes. But now Indiana Jones faces his most fearsome challenge: to take a step of faith against all odds. The situation is desperate; his father, with whom he has recently been reunited, is dying from wounds that cannot be healed by normal means. Indy's only hope to save his father lies in the miraculous healing powers of the mysterious Holy Grail.
In order to retrieve the Grail, Indiana Jones must reach a cave from which he is separated by a huge chasm. Indy looks down and cannot see the bottom. One step and, surely, he is a dead man. Yet, it is precisely a step that he is asked to take. His father urges him on, knowing that one must step out in faith to make it to safety. Indiana has lived his whole life by common sense and reason; this makes no sense. There is, however, no other way. Either he watches his father die, or he trusts his father's advice and takes that dreaded first step...
This 1989 film from Paramount Pictures and Lucasfilm, Ltd. is directed by Steven Spielberg, written by Jeffrey Boam from a story by George Lucas and Menno Meyjes and produced by Robert Watt. It stars Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott, Allison Doody, John Rhys-Davies, and Julian Glover.
Teaser Question: What enables you to take the first step?
Going Deeper: How is the future like the invisible bridge that Indiana Jones had to step out on? What is the difference between a leap of faith and a leap of foolishness?
Making Choices: You've moved to a new school. For the first few weeks no one talks to you. You want desperately to make friends, but you are afraid to do so. What will give you the courage to talk to other students? How could others help you gain the courage to take that first step?
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” --Eleanor Roosevelt
“One man with courage makes a majority." —Andrew Jackson
Theme: Pretending to be Brave Film:The Wizard of Oz (G) 2:40
She's not in Kansas anymore! A tornado sweeps Dorothy and her dog Toto out of Kansas and into the land of Oz. As they search for the way home Dorothy and Toto encounter a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who yearns for a heart and a Cowardly Lion who desires above all else...courage! It will not be that easy, however. The lion pretends to be fierce, but breaks down in tears when Dorothy slaps him.
This 1939 film from MGM is directed by Victor Fleming, written by Moel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Alolan Woolf and produced by Mervyn LeRoy. It stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, BIllie Borke, Margaret Hamilton, and Charley Grapewin.
Teaser Question: Describe a time when you pretended to be brave but you were actually scared.
Going Deeper:In a scary situation, what helps more: to pretend that you are brave while inside you are truly scared, or to admit that you are afraid, yet go on? What do others think of us when we say that we are afraid? How do you think Dorothy summoned the courage to stand up to the lion? Would she have done so if her beloved dog Toto were not in danger? Some people say that love casts out fear. Do you agree? Disagree? Why?
Making Choices: You and a group of friends are about to take the biggest test you have ever taken. You get together to study, but no one is able to concentrate because everyone is distracted by fear of failing the test. Should you:
A. Try to take their minds off of their fear by telling them that they really do know the material?
B. Encourage your friends to talk about their fears?
C. Leave the group and study by yourself?
“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.”
--Eddie Rickenbacker
“You don't have to be great to start. But you have to get started to be great." —Keith Davis
She's not in Kansas anymore! A tornado sweeps Dorothy and her dog Toto out of Kansas and into the land of Oz. As they search for the way home Dorothy and Toto encounter a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Man who yearns for a heart and a Cowardly Lion who desires above all else...courage! It will not be that easy, however. The lion pretends to be fierce, but breaks down in tears when Dorothy slaps him.
This 1939 film from MGM is directed by Victor Fleming, written by Moel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Alolan Woolf and produced by Mervyn LeRoy. It stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, BIllie Borke, Margaret Hamilton, and Charley Grapewin.
Teaser Question: Describe a time when you pretended to be brave but you were actually scared.
Going Deeper:In a scary situation, what helps more: to pretend that you are brave while inside you are truly scared, or to admit that you are afraid, yet go on? What do others think of us when we say that we are afraid? How do you think Dorothy summoned the courage to stand up to the lion? Would she have done so if her beloved dog Toto were not in danger? Some people say that love casts out fear. Do you agree? Disagree? Why?
Making Choices: You and a group of friends are about to take the biggest test you have ever taken. You get together to study, but no one is able to concentrate because everyone is distracted by fear of failing the test. Should you:
A. Try to take their minds off of their fear by telling them that they really do know the material?
B. Encourage your friends to talk about their fears?
C. Leave the group and study by yourself?
“Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.”
--Eddie Rickenbacker
“You don't have to be great to start. But you have to get started to be great." —Keith Davis
Theme: Overcoming Fear Film: Monsters, Inc. (G) 2:29
Behind the closet door lies your greatest fear, a nightmarish monster created especially for you. At least that is the way that Monsters, Inc. has set up the system. The creatures, who work for Monsters, Inc. steal the screams of children and convert them into energy for the monster city in the otherworld beyond the closet.
The problems start when Sully, a big, blue, shaggy monster goes through the wrong door and encourages a little girl he names "Boo." Sully is not the monster created especially for Boo by Monsters, Inc. Far from fearing him, Boo comes to love the big guy. But this does not mean that Boo is free from fear. Her custom-made monster, the one who can terrify her, is coming for Boo. Her only hope is to find a way to overcome her fear.
This 2001 computer animated film from Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios is directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by Lee Unkrich and David Silverman. The screenplay is written by Andrew Stanton and Daniel Gerson from an original story by Pete Docter, Jill Culton, Jeff Pidgeon, and Ralph Eggleston. It is produced by Darla K. Anderson and stars the voice talends of BIlly Crystal and John Goodman.
Teaser Question: What helps you overcome your fear?
Going Deeper: How does Sully help Boo deal with her fears? Have you ever been afraid of someone because of how they look, the color of their skin or the clothes they wear? Have you ever changed your mind about someone who made you nervous? How did you lose your fear of that person?
Making Choices: There is a student in school whose clothes and hair make that student look tough and angry. You and your friends are intimidated by this person. On Saturday you see this student in a park, sitting alone on a bench. Should you go up and start a conversation, or avoid the person? What would help yhou overcome your nervousness?
“Courage is being scared to death -- but saddloing up anyway.” --John Wayne
--Eddie Rickenbacker
“Never fear shadows. They simply mean that ther is light shining somewhere nearby." —Unknown
Behind the closet door lies your greatest fear, a nightmarish monster created especially for you. At least that is the way that Monsters, Inc. has set up the system. The creatures, who work for Monsters, Inc. steal the screams of children and convert them into energy for the monster city in the otherworld beyond the closet.
The problems start when Sully, a big, blue, shaggy monster goes through the wrong door and encourages a little girl he names "Boo." Sully is not the monster created especially for Boo by Monsters, Inc. Far from fearing him, Boo comes to love the big guy. But this does not mean that Boo is free from fear. Her custom-made monster, the one who can terrify her, is coming for Boo. Her only hope is to find a way to overcome her fear.
This 2001 computer animated film from Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios is directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by Lee Unkrich and David Silverman. The screenplay is written by Andrew Stanton and Daniel Gerson from an original story by Pete Docter, Jill Culton, Jeff Pidgeon, and Ralph Eggleston. It is produced by Darla K. Anderson and stars the voice talends of BIlly Crystal and John Goodman.
Teaser Question: What helps you overcome your fear?
Going Deeper: How does Sully help Boo deal with her fears? Have you ever been afraid of someone because of how they look, the color of their skin or the clothes they wear? Have you ever changed your mind about someone who made you nervous? How did you lose your fear of that person?
Making Choices: There is a student in school whose clothes and hair make that student look tough and angry. You and your friends are intimidated by this person. On Saturday you see this student in a park, sitting alone on a bench. Should you go up and start a conversation, or avoid the person? What would help yhou overcome your nervousness?
“Courage is being scared to death -- but saddloing up anyway.” --John Wayne
--Eddie Rickenbacker
“Never fear shadows. They simply mean that ther is light shining somewhere nearby." —Unknown
Moving Students to Reflection and Action:
Keeping a Journal
As an in-class activity, have your students write two entries in their journal under the heading of "Courage" answering the following questions:
1. Of all the examples of courage demonstrated in the clips, which one was your favorite? Why?
2. Write about a time in your life when you demostrated courage. Tell of a time when you wished you had courage.
Activity 1: Fear Charades
Performance Objective:
To build a sense of camaraderie by sharing fears and discovering ways to overcome them.
Materials Needed:
Paper and pens/pencils
Teacher Instructions:
Divide the class into six or seven groups of students.
Supply each group with a newspaper (with all the sections, not simply the front page).
Each group divides the newspaper among themselves. Ask them to search for as many examples of courage as they can find in either stories or photographs and then cut out these stories and photos. Encourage your students to look beyond the front page and think about other, less obvious examples of courage.
After a specified amount of time, have the various groups share their findings with one another and discuss the different ways in which people display courage.
For added enjoyment: you can make a contest out o f the exercise, seeing which group can find the greatest number of examples in stories and photos.
Activity 3: Courageous Critters
Performance Objective:
To explore the meaning of courage by thinking about animals that can symbolize it.
Materials Needed:
Sheets of paper, markers or crayons
Teacher Instructions:
Each student should take a sheet of paper and draw a picture of an animal that symbolizes courage. Encourage free expression of drawing/coloring. Artistic ability is not what is important here, but rather the power of imagination.
When everyone is finished with their pictures, invite them to show their pictures to the rest of the class and tell why they chose that particular animal.
Ask the whole class to debate and finally agree on which one animal they would like to have as their "courage class mascot." Is it one of the animals already pictured, or did the conversations lead them to come up with a new animal? The students' pictures can be put on the wall in the hallways to create a "gallery of courage" for other classes to see.
Activity 4: Role Play
Performance Objective:
To express opinions on a topic through written, oral, or dramatic expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil, props for skit.
Teachers Instructions:
Divide the class into groups of five students.
Instruct the groups to come up with a situation contrasting cowardice and courage and develop a short role play or "skit" to present this situation.
Each group presents their skit to the class.
After all the role plays have been performed, lead the class in a discussion of the ideas contained in the skits.
Optional Teaching Strategies:
1. Have students write a short reflection paper telling about a time when they had to face their fears and overcome them.
2. Give a random number to each student in the class (for example, 1 to 20 if there are twenty students in the class). Then call out each number in order and ask that student to go to the board and write down one phobia/one thing that people might be afraid of. They cannot repeat something already written down. When everyone is done, students talk about which of the phobias//fears are the most scary.
Multiple Intelligences Addressed:
Verbal-Linguistic Visual-Spatial
Bodily Kinesthetic Logical-Mathematical
Intrapersonal Interpersonal