Theme: Asking for Forgiveness Film: Billy Madison (PG-13) 1:59
He may be too big to fit in the desk, but that is the least of Billy Madison's problems as he is forced to go back to high school years later to earn his rich father's respect. After being laughed at by his fellow students, Billy is reminded that he used to do the same thing to others. Going back and seeking forgiveness may be the most important lesson he has to learn.
This 2004 film from Universal Studios is directed by Tamara Davis written by Tim Herlihy and Adam Sandler and stars Adam Sandler, Bradley Whitford, Josh Mostel, Bridgette Wilson, Norm MacDonald, and Darren McGavin.
Teaser Question: What are the essential parts of a good apology?
Going Deeper: When should you apologize to someone? What if it has been a long time? What good does an apology do much later?
"Reversing your treatment of the man you have wronged is better than asking his forgiveness." -Elbert Hubbard
"True forgiveness is not an action after the fact; it is an attitude with which you enter each moment." - David Ridge
Theme: Healing Film: Antwone Fisher (PG-13) 2:12
A young sailor is full of rage and resentment until a military counselor comes into his life and challenges Fisher to deal with his anger and hurt, and to search for his roots.
This 2002 film from 20th Century Fox is directed by Denzel Washington, written by Antwone FIsher and stars Derek Luke, Denzel Washington, Joy Bryant, Sali Richardson, and Novella Nelson.
Teaser Question: How can forgiveness heal the forgiver?
Going Deeper: "Regard without ill will despite an offense"- is the dictionary definition of forgiveness. Talk about what those words mean to you.
"Without forgiveness there is no future." - Desmond Tutu
"You don't have to accept the invitation to get angry. Instead, practice forgiveness, empathy, encouragement." - Dan Fallon
Theme: When Anger Holds You Back Film: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (PG) 4:59
The crews of the Enterprise and the Excelsior must stop a plot to prevent a peace treaty between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. Among other obstacles to the success of this mission is that Captain Kirk, the person in charge of getting the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council to the peace summit, holds a deadly grudge against the Klingons.
This 1991 film from Paramount Pictures is directed by Nicholas Meyer, with the screenplay by Nicholas Meyer and Denny Martin Flinn. It stars William Shatner, Leonard Nemoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nicols, George Takei, Kim Cattrall, and Christopher Plummer.
Teaser Question: Could you forgive someone who hasn't apologized to you?
Going Deeper: How do you calm down when your anger starts to rise?
"I've never trusted Klingons, and I never will. I could never forgive them for the death of my boy. It seems to me our mission to escort the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council to a peace summit is problematic at best. Spock says this could be an historic occasion, and I'd like to believe him, but how on earth can history get past people like me?" - Captain James R. Kirk
"Being unable to forgive is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." -James Arthur Ray
heme: Humility Film: Spider-Man 3 (PG-13) 3:13
Peter Parker aka Spider-Man is face to face with his uncle's killer. Flint Marko explains to Peter what happened that night, a night he wishes he could take back. He has a good reason for doing a bad thing. Can Peter forgive him?
This 2007 film from Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios is directed by Sam Raimi and written by Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi. It stars Toby McGuire, Kristen Dunst, Topher Grace, and James Franco.
Teaser Question: Why is is so hard to admit a mistake?
Going Deeper: Have you ever done something you wished you could take back? What would you like to tell to your parents or other adults about mistakes and forgiveness?
"It is the highest form of self-respect to admit our errors and mistakes and make amends for them. To make a mistake is only an error in judgement, but to adhere to it when it is discovered shows infirmity of character." - Dale E. Turner
"The best thing you can do when you've made a mistake is: Admit it, admit it soon and put yourself at the mercy of the people." - Cathy Allen
Moving Students to Action: Character "Word Wall" A "word wall" can help your students build/develop their vocabulary in terms of meaning, context, and relevance The words below come directly from the various video clips for knowing yourself, peer pressure, ad understanding bullies or the question prompt at the end of each clip. Developing a word wall is a great way to introduce key vocabulary terms at the beginning of a unit or piece by piece as your class explores a unit of study. Forgiveness Empathy Vision Civility Community Dream Obstacle Risk Reward Sympathy Compassion The Golden Rule
Keeping a Journal: As an in-class activity, ask your students to write four entries in their journal under the heading of "Perseverance" answering the following statement: 1. Of all the examples of knowing yourself demonstrated in the clips, which was your favorite? Why? 2. What does it mean to really forgive? 3. Why is forgiving hard? 4. How do you feel when you forgive someone?
Activity 1: Holding It All In Performance Objective: Demonstrates social discipline and appropriate group contribution
Materials: -1 Balloon per student - deflated
Teacher Instructions: This activity uses a balloon analogy to demonstrate: Why Forgiveness Is Important 1. Give each student a deflated balloon.
2. Ask your students: What are some of the feelings that you have when someone hurts you or breaks something of yours? (Invite answers from kids: angry, sad, frustrated, helpless, etc.) Part of forgiving someone is recognizing those feelings, letting them happen, and then letting them pass so that you can move on. One way to help your feelings move on is to let them out—in a healthy way.
3. Ask your students: What happens if you hold all of those feelings inside and stay sad or angry, or if you tuck those feelings away somewhere inside your heart?
4. Have students blow some air into a balloon. Say: This air is like anger or sadness that comes into us.
5. If we let it out each time we feel angry or sad, it’s not such a big deal—just a little air comes out and we’re back to normal. (Have students let air out of balloon.)
6. Say: But if we keep it inside, and keep adding to it each time we get upset and hold it in (blow into balloon several more times) then what happens? What will the balloon do if we keep blowing into it?
7. Say: And watch what happens when we let it all out at once. (Balloon deflates and flies all over room.)
8. Say: It’s pretty out of control. If you hold all your anger inside for a long time, it might all come out at once sometime, and you could have a much bigger reaction than the situation calls for.
Activity 2: Would you Forgive? Performance Objective: Demonstrates social discipline and appropriate group contribution
Materials: -Index cards -Pens/Pencils
Teacher Instructions: 1. Hand out three-by-five cards and ask the students to write examples of situations where someone has offended, wronged or angered them or a family member. 2. Collect the cards, fan them out and have each student draw a card. 3. Divide into partners or small groups and read the cards together. 4. Have the students share with their group whether he/she would forgive this person and why or why not. 5. Discuss whether each situation would be easy or difficult to forgive and why forgiveness is easier in some situations than others.