Courage is demonstrated by heroes from across the globe in these featured films, art and stories. The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger and do something even when there is a risk is at the core of the character trait of courage. Meet remarkable heroes through these films, art and stories, and create a dialogue with your students on the importance of practicing courage in our daily lives.
Students read the following stories and view the short films about individuals who had the courage to fight against racial injustice and made a positive difference.
Berta Cáceres was born to a native Lenca community in southwestern Honduras and worked her whole life as an environmental and human rights advocate. Máxima Acuña, a subsistence farmer in Peru’s northern highlands, stood up to the Colorado-based Newmont Mining Corporation over the development of a gold and copper mine on her property.
Additional Stories and Films about Heroes who Demonstrate Courage
Film: This documentary is a portrait of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai. It documents her personal life and her inspiring journey as an activist.
Film: This documentary explores the experiences of five firefighters from the L.A.F.D.
Learn about Iqbal Masih, a 12-year-old who fought for his rights and the rights of his fellow child workers through film and stories. One story has text and audio allowing students to listen as they read along. There is also a link to the story in Spanish.
Read the following stories about individuals who had the courage to fight against racial injustice. The story written by Muhammad Ali about his hero Nelson Mandela has text and audio so students can listen as they read along.
Students view one or more of the following short films that highlight individuals who demonstrate courage to make a positive difference.
10-year-old Jaysa rallies the community with her speeches about how the power plant causes asthma When they succeed in shutting down the plant, Jaysa concludes that “words have power.”
When a village begins to have the stones from their bridge stolen each side of the village starts to blame one another for stealing the stones. This story shows the power of forgiveness and courage when the villagers step forward and confess that they had all stolen stones from the bridge. Both sides of the village come together to rebuild the bridge and peace is restored within their community.
Resources on Courage for Upper Elementary School Students
Stories
Rosa Parks made history when she refused to sit in the back of the bus. Story has text with an audio link.
Film
10-year-old Jaysa rallies the community with her speeches about how the power plant causes asthma When they succeed in shutting down the plant, Jaysa concludes that “words have power.”
MY HERO International Film Festival Winner Words Have Power is about a 10 year old girl who rallied her community to protest the health effects that a local power plant had on their community and succeeded in having the plant close.
by Helen Keller
Let Us Have Faith (1940)
Art
Portrait of Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on the bus even when she faced great adversity and racism
Nkosi Johnson was a young South African child with HIV/AIDS, who made a powerful impact before his death.
Malala the young activist stood up to her enemies and continued to champion young girls' rights
Additional MY HERO Resources
We honor those who have the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger and do something even when there is a risk is at the core of the character trait of courage. Please share your story about a hero you know who shows the power of courage.
Sign the MY HERO guestbook and share your story.
Organizer created on 8/2/2019 6:24:57 PM by MY HERO Staff
Last edited 10/5/2021 1:49:02 PM by Laura Nietzer
