Heroes and Their Impact
What does it mean to be a hero? A hero is someone admired for brave acts and good character. The students read about three very different persons who are heroes for their selfless giving to make the world a better place. These lessons explore the idea that the world needs more philanthropic heroes, and anyone can make a difference because everyone has something to give.
This lesson will introduce the children to a hero whose actions changed the course of history. Students will describe what they learned about being a hero and relate some of the characteristics of heroes to a personal hero.
This lesson will help students identify the attributes of a hero as related to acting for the common good. The students will identify Mother Teresa as a hero for her philanthropic work and highlight examples of her work and character. While written for a Catholic Elementary School, this lesson may be easily adapted for public school use.
This lesson explores the heroic actions of one American woman--Rosa Parks. Students will read about her refusal to give up her seat to a white person and the resulting bus boycott that ended segregation on the city buses in 1956. Rosa Parks' acts of philanthropy brought a community of people together for the common good and resulted in major social change in her community and in the nation. Students will identify the relationship of individual rights and community responsibility.