Learning to Give, Philanthropy education resources that teach giving and civic engagement

generationOn

Home / Teachers / Character Education: Perseverance (Grade 7) / A Long Walk

A Long Walk

Lesson 2:

From Unit Character Education: Perseverance (Grade 7)

Lesson

Handouts

Academic Standards

Philanthropy Framework

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Language Arts, Library / Technology, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

ELA:	Brainstorming; Group Discussions; Teamwork
PHIL:	Character Education: Perseverance; Perseverance

Purpose:

Students look for examples of personal best in a movie about perseverance and discuss the value of working toward personal best even when it is difficult.

Duration:

One 20-minute lesson

Objectives:

The learner will:

watch a video about a man with cerebral palsy who perseveres in a difficult situation.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills. For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to www.generationon.org.

Materials:

Internet access to watch a video -- If Internet is not available, read about DJ Gregory in the link provided (video and text links available in Bibliographical References)

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set

Share your feelings about one of your favorite activities, such as walking, playing golf, playing the piano, or reading novels. Tell the students how you would feel at first if an accident caused you to be unable to do that activity anymore. Then explain what steps you would take to make sure you could do it again. Through your description, show the students that you wouldn't be defeated by your circumstances; you would persevere and find a way to do your favorite activity. Lead them to understand you might not work so hard if it wasn't your favorite activity. Ask them to reflect on what their favorite activities are; the ones they would persevere to be able to do in tough circumstances.

Tell the students that they are going to watch a twelve-minute video about perseverance [sticking with a goal] and doing your personal best. Ask them to listen for examples of perseverance in the video and to take notes so they can discuss them after the movie. Show the movie "Walk On." Note: if Internet is unavailable for this video, see Bibliographical References for access to a written version of DJ's story.
Discuss the specific examples of perseverance in the video from their notes, including the perseverance of DJ's parents when they were told their son would never walk and the perseverance of DJ in meeting his walking goal.
Ask the following discussion questions:

How did setting a goal help DJ stick with his plan when the goal became difficult?
How did DJ feel about his goal and his results?
Why do you think DJ set this goal?
Would DJ's goal be a good example for your personal best? Why or Why not?