Sample Lesson: Courage

Volume X, Issue Y
Month Date, Year

Announcement

Friday night, I went out to dinner with my friends. A friend of a friend told this joke where the punchline made it seem like all Polish people were stupid. Most of my friends laughed politely. Others remained silent, hoping that the conversation would just move along. I thought the joke was awful and really wanted to say something to the girl who told it. I didn't know what to do. I could say something in a gentle way, but my comments might seem rude. Besides I might really upset my friend who invited her. Was it worth making such a big deal out of it? It was just one joke. Did it really matter?

Then I remembered an essay that we read in English class called "Letters from a Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. King talked about his frustrations, not only with racists, but also with the good people who stood by and let it happen, people who favored order over justice, people who said King needed to save his message for a more appropriate time. King once said that "The time is always right to do what is right."

After thinking about King's story for a minute, I knew that I had to make my feelings known. It was difficult to stand up to my friends, but I had to be strong in my beliefs. If I couldn't even stand up to my friends, how would I ever stand up to my enemies? I am not going to become courageous in some moment of crisis. I know I need to be courageous each day because "The time is always right to do what is right."

So, remember—when in doubt, can't figure it out…maxim-ize the moment. This week's maxim is "The time is always right to do what is right."

Homeroom Discussion Information

How realistic does this scenario seem to you?
To what extent do you think this situation describes prejudice?
What does it mean to be prejudiced?
Do all people have prejudices?
Why are prejudices so dangerous?
Are jokes about other races more or less dangerous than others kinds of derogatory remarks? Why or why not?
When is something important enough to make a stand?
What sorts of things make it difficult to act upon what you believe?
What helps you to act based on your beliefs?
Give an example of an everyday act of courage that you have witnessed recently.

Home-Use Information

Five tips for maxim-izing your family time

Ask open ended questions (beginning with who, what, when, where, why, how)
Try to emphasize what courage is, more than talking about what it is not
Even if your kids tell you they "don't know," or that the conversation is "stupid," stick with it!
Count to 10 after you ask each question—give kids time to answer before you ask something else.
Be willing to feel silly—if you model the kind of conversation you desire, your kids will follow along.

Maxim

"The time is always right to do what is right."
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Character points

Courage-- I am willing to do what is difficult.
Fortitude-- I have the strength to live by my convictions.
Leadership-- I am able to take charge and be a good example.
Responsibility-- I recognize my duty and honor it.
Respect - I acknowledge the innate dignity of each person and my actions reflect my beliefs.
Justice - I am aware of each person's dignity and work to ensure that all people are treated in a way that honors their innate worth.
Honor - I recognize the difference between right and wrong and, as result, treat myself and others with respect.

Discussion starters

What did you think of the maxim that was read at school today?
Why do you think kids tell jokes that put others down?
Does our society reward people who show courage? How?
Do you ever face situations that challenge you to show courage?
Have each member of the family think of (and share) a person that has modeled courage to them.
How could we, as a family, help you to develop inner strength?
What makes it difficult to make good choices?
What do you wish that we, as your parents, understood better about your life and the pressures you face daily?
What is an example of a time that someone in our family has been courageous? In what way?

Related issues you could discuss at home

Are these people showing courage?
Musicians who write and/or sing controversial lyrics, like Eminem
Kids who are in gangs, and do illegal things to gain membership
An activist who blocks the entrance to an event
Environmentalist who tamper with the site of a new housing development to stop construction
An editor of the high school newspaper who prints an article about corruption in the school's basketball team, even though the moderator told her not to
A high school athlete who begins taking steroids so his relay team will win the state championship