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The purpose of this lesson is to show that there are many different kinds of courage, and that we can choose to act bravely even when we don’t feel brave.
There are many different kinds of courage. Being courageous or brave does not mean that we aren’t scared or worried. Being brave means that we can take action even if we are unsure of ourselves.
Activity 1: (10 minutes) WHAT IS COURAGE?
Review the Pyramid of Happiness anchor chart from the slides. Review the fourth and fifth level of the pyramid and perform that action (strike a superhero pose and star-jump with arms and legs spread out wide). Make the connection of knowing that we have the capacity to be brave, which leads to a happier and healthier life. This makes us the best version of ourselves! Remind students about the actions associated with each level of the pyramid.
Review the Slide Presentation about courage. Have a discussion:
Activity 2: (15 minutes) LITTLE OLD LADY WHO WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING
Sometimes we might be a little bit afraid, but we can muster up courage to do things that are hard. Read, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda Williams or watch the read-aloud video by Elizabeth L. Dulin. Use the suggestions to create a movement and sound for each item that the little old lady met on the road. Perform the movements and sounds for each time they are read in the story.
Have a discussion:
Activity 3: (15 minutes) THERE’S A NIGHTMARE IN MY CLOSET
Sometimes things seem scary, but they’re really not what they seem. Some things are real, and some things are pretend. Things you see on TV or in the movies are usually stories that are pretend. Scary things that you see at Halloween are pretend. Nightmares are pretend. Read, There’s a Nightmare in My Closet, by Mercer Mayer or watch the read-aloud video by Pink Thumb Learning Center. Encourage the children to look for how the little boy showed courage. Having courage means that even when you are scared, you can be kind, and you can find a way to not be scared anymore.
Make several copies of the monsters page on colored cardstock. Make 10 copies of the bed. Number each bed number from 1–10. Laminate the monsters and the beds for durability. Scatter the monsters throughout the room. Place the beds on a table. Have the children work in pairs to:
Activity 4: (15 minutes) LITTLE & BIG COURAGE
When we are little, it can be hard to be brave. Doing brave things may make us feel scared or worried. It may make us not want to try. Sometimes little actions are very brave. Read The Lion Inside, by Rachel Bright or watch the read-aloud video by Storyvision Studios UK.
Have a discussion:
Make a copy of the mouse/lion mask for each child. Cut out the eye holes for each mask, and glue the 2 pages back to back so that the mouse mask shows on one side and the lion on the other. Allow the children to color the masks and act out the story using the masks. Practice finding brave words with your mouse voice and your lion voice.
Activity 5: (15 minutes) BRAVERY MANTRA
Review the slide show about courage. Give each child a piece of paper and have them draw a picture about a time when they were courageous. Allow the children to dictate a story about their experience as you write it on their page. Have each child show their picture to the class as they relate their story to the other children.
Talk about all the tools the students have learned to help them calm their bodies when they are feeling anxious or worried. After each child has shared their picture, have all the children take a deep breath and recite the courage mantra below.
Courage Mantra
I am brave (show your muscles)
I am kind (hug yourself)
I can do hard things (strike a superhero pose)
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