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A Long Walk

Grades: 
6, 7, 8
Subjects: 
Language Arts
Philanthropy
Social Studies
Keywords & Concepts: 
Character Education: Perseverance

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

Duration 
PrintOne 20-minute lesson
Objectives 

The learner will:

  • watch a video about a man with cerebral palsy who perseveres with dedication to overcome barriers.
Materials 
  • video or article about Johnny Agar or D.J. Gregory, men with Cerebral Palsy who persevere
Bibliography 
  • ESPN. "Walk On" video about D.J. Gregory. 2008.
  • Agar, Johnny. The Impossible Mile. video LINK

 

Related Resources 

Instructions

Print

  1. Anticipatory Set

    Share your feelings about one of your favorite activities, such as walking, playing golf, playing the piano, or reading novels. Tell how you would feel at first if something 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, 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.

  2. Watch a twelve-minute video about perseverance, a person with cerebral palsy doing their 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 either the movie "Walk On." about DJ Gregory or The Impossible Mile about Johnny Agar. 

  3. Discuss the specific examples of perseverance in the video from their notes, including the perseverance of his parents when they were told their son would never walk and the perseverance of DJ or Johnny in meeting his walking goal.

  4. Ask the following discussion questions:

    • How would you define "a challenge"? 
    • In what way did his parents persevere when he was a baby and toddler? 
    • In what ways did he persevere through challenges?
    • What is a big or small challenge that could get you down? What steps can you take or did you take to move through the challenge?
    • What are the benefits of perseverance?

Philanthropy Framework

  1. Strand PHIL.I Definitions of Philanthropy
    1. Standard DP 01. Define Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Give examples of how individuals have helped others.
  2. Strand PHIL.II Philanthropy and Civil Society
    1. Standard PCS 02. Diverse Cultures
      1. Benchmark MS.4 Identify civil society organizations that protect and speak for minority viewpoints.
  3. Strand PHIL.III Philanthropy and the Individual
    1. Standard PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy
      1. Benchmark MS.2 Explain and give examples of enlightened self-interest, egoism, and altruism as they relate to philanthropy.