Lesson Overview:
In a world with few real heroes, students will recognize the positive character traits of heroes through the use of music, art, creative writing, and literature.
Length of Lesson:
Two 45-minute periods
Notes:
This lesson is particularly suitable for grade 5.
Instructional Objectives:
Students will:
- be able to express themselves both in writing and orally about a hero in their life.
- draw illustrations for the song “There’s a Hero."
- learn to sing the song, “There’s a Hero."
Supplies:
- Pencils
- Drawing paper
- Set of crayons
- Colored pencils
- Markers
- Projector: Overhead
- Sound System: CD Player
- Timer
- Whiteboard/markers
- "There's a Hero" song lyrics for overhead projector
- William H. Bennett's The Children's Book of Heroes (see Sources for complete bibliographic information.
Instructional Plan:
Introduction
The room will have Hero Quotes on display several days in advance. The introduction will begin with by playing "There's a Hero" as sung by Billy Gilman on his CD, One Voice. The students will be asked to listen carefully for clues as to the theme of the song.
Procedure
Put up the words to the song on the overhead projector and play the song again, having the students follow along with the words.
Write the question on the board, "What is a hero?" Allow students a few minutes to express their ideas about the question. Pass out the What is a Hero? worksheets as the discussion progresses.
Read the heading and definition of a hero on the top of the page. Tell students they have three minutes to think of all the heroes they possibly can and write them down under #1 on their worksheets. Use a timer to facilitate the time-keeping process.
The class then brainstorms together to exchange ideas about heroes for an additional three minutes. Use student helpers to write these ideas on the board.
Instruct students to think of one person in their lives that they might consider a hero. Direct the students to write an explanation or story of who they have chosen and why under #2 on their worksheets. Explain to them that these will be shared with the class at a later point.
As students finish their writing, put them in groups of two or three. Provide each group with a piece of paper and colored pencils, crayons, or markers. Each group’s paper will contain one line of the song that they will illustrate together. They will need to work together to come up with an appropriate picture that shows the meaning of their line of the song. Give them a time limit so that this activity takes no longer than 15 minutes. The lines will break down as follows:
- There’s a flower in the smallest garden reaching for the light.
- There’s a candle in the darkest corner conquering the night.
- There is amazing strength in a willing hand.
- There are victories that you’ve never planned.
- There’s a hero in everybody’s heart.
- There’s a fire inside of everybody burning clear and bright.
- There’s a power in the faintest heartbeat that cannot be denied.
- Go on and trust yourself ‘cause you can ride the wind.
- You’re gonna take your dreams where they’ve never been.
- There’s a hero in everybody’s heart.
Put the illustrations in order on the board as they are completed. Have the students view each other’s work and review the sequence of the song.
At the end of the 15 minutes, sing the song together using the illustrations.
Have volunteers come to the front of the classroom to share their writing about their heroes. Talk to the students about appropriate audience response, which includes respectfully listening and, possibly, appropriate clapping. Encourage all to participate.
Closure
Talk about how the students can be heroes by the choices they make. Read the story, "Tashira’s Turn" from The Children's Book of Heroes.
Finish by singing "There’s a Hero" and discuss the lyrics. Point out how the lyrics contain words of encouragement about facing the challenges of life with courage.
Assessment:
Informal assessment will occur throughout the lesson as the teacher observes how the student is engaged in the illustration activity. They will also be assessed on their participation in singing the song along with the illustrations. The stories about their personal heroes will be collected for review after the students share with the class.
Extensions:
Find additional lessons about heroes on the Education World site.
Sources:
Print:
- Bennett, William H. (ed.). The Children's Book of Heroes. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1997.
Media:
- Gilman, Billy.Billy Gilman's One Voice. Sony 2000. B00004TTF5.
Web:
Authors:
-
Maggie Hepworth, Teacher
Wilson Elementary School
Gridley, California U.S.A.
