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Legacy LetterGRADE 8, LESSON 30

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CharacterDare(5-7 minutes)

Exit Intentionally(1 minute)

Objectives:• Students will reflect on their own

character and identify ways they could improve it.

• Students will be able to identify the positives that come from practicing gratitude in their life.

• Students will identify why the most influential person in their life is so influential.

Materials:• Image: CharacterDare Image Set• Image: Gratitude Letter Example• Supplies: Paper and writing

utensil for each student• Video: The Heart of Teaching, Part

1 (2:39)

CharacterDare (5-7 minutes):• *Project Image: Previous CharacterDare.*

• Review the previous CharacterDare. In partnerships or small groups, have students discuss the previous Dare using the Truth or Dare format.

• *Project Image: Truth or Dare.* Є Truth: “What do you think about our most recent Dare?”

Є Do you like or dislike the Dare? Why? Є What was most difficult when considering this Dare? Є What do you think would happen if more people did

this CharacterDare? Є Dare: “Reflect on your experience with our most recent

Video(7-8 minutes)

Dare.” Є What did you learn about yourself

in attempting this CharacterDare? Є What did you learn about others in

attempting this CharacterDare?

• Ask for volunteers or randomly select some students to share their Truth or Dare reflections. Encourage them when appropriate and take advantage of any teachable moments, especially when a student shares a struggle. Remind your students that it is not about being perfect or completing every Dare. This process is about striving to improve our character with intentional practice. For some people, the challenge is simply in thinking about the CharacterDare and discussing it.

Discussion(12-14 minutes)

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Legacy LetterGRADE 8, LESSON 30

• *Project Image: Current CharacterDare.*

• Introduce the current CharacterDare. Answer and clarify any questions about the Dare. Encourage students to modify the CharacterDare if it does not seem to specifically fit your school situation. If necessary, talk about ways you could increase or decrease the challenge of the CharacterDare.

Video - The Heart of Teaching is Students (7-8 minutes):• Say, “Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, readiness to show appreciation for and

to return kindness. Psychologists have scientifically proven that one of the greatest contributors to happiness in your life is how much gratitude you show. There are staff at this school, or in your past, who have helped you to become who you are.”

• Say, “You’re going to watch a video that’s made to inspire teachers, but it’s a great example of how showing gratitude for staff will inspire their work for years to come and also contribute to your happiness. Remember, showing gratitude increases our personal happiness. It benefits everyone involved. The letters, students and teachers in the video are all real. As you’re watching, think about the impact the letter had on the recipient.”

• *Show Video: The Heart of Teaching, Part 1 (2:39)*

• Say, “Consider how the letters impacted the recipient and the writer. How do you think they may benefit the individuals? How could their relationship benefit from the letter?”

Discussion (12-14 minutes):• Say, “Take out a piece of paper and write down the name of the most influential teacher

or staff member in your life. Write several reasons why this person is so influential and/or how they’ve helped you. You can write the reasons out as a bulleted list, you can doodle or draw the reasons, or you can use another format of your choice. Do this quickly, you’ll only have 2 minutes to brainstorm.”

• Say, “For the last portion of class you’re going to write a legacy letter thanking the staff member you chose for having a positive influence on your life. I’ll share an example letter and sentence starters for you to use if you get stuck.”

Є *Project Image: Gratitude Letter Example.*

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Legacy LetterGRADE 8, LESSON 30

Exit Intentionally (1 minute):• Say, “If you haven’t finished your legacy letter, finish it up today and give it to the

recipient tomorrow. I’d prefer you hand deliver the letter, but if you need me to deliver it for you, I can.”

• Say, “Mother Teresa was once said, ‘People crave attention and appreciation more than they do bread.’ By sharing your words of appreciation and love for this person, you are fulfilling a human need. Imagine what might happen if this became a bit more normal in our world.”