Working Together To Outrun Cancer 121 Lesson: Character Traits Curriculum Connection: Language Arts Grade Level: Intermediate Time: Approximately 100 minutes Lesson Snapshot Terry Fox was a living example of the character traits we are trying to promote in our schools. Through learning more about Terry Fox, students will get to see specific examples of these traits from someone who they will be able to relate to on many levels. At the end of these lessons, students will create a strong visual representation of both Terry Fox and your school’s Character Traits to be displayed for others to see. Success Criteria Students; are able to gather and select the key ideas and organize them effectively into a final product. will know more about Terry Fox and the character traits that he exemplified. Curriculum Expectations Writing Generate, gather, and organize ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience. Materials/Media BLM I-9: “Character Traits” part one BLM I-10: “Character Traits” part two BLM I-11: “Character Traits” template BLM I-12: “Terry Fox- Word Splash Activity” rubric Newspaper Articles from Terry Fox Foundation Website (URL: http://www.terryfox.org ) Video: “Try the Impossible” (8:50 minutes) Terry Fox Foundation Video Compilation DVD Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjgTlCTluPA Video: “My Friend Terry: Jay Triano” (7:04 minutes) Terry Fox Foundation Video Compilation DVD 2 Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFQHJCEpnsY Chart paper Markers (seven different colours) 11 x 17 blank paper
Transcript
Working Together To Outrun Cancer
121
Lesson: Character Traits Curriculum Connection: Language Arts Grade Level: Intermediate Time: Approximately 100 minutes Lesson Snapshot Terry Fox was a living example of the character traits we are trying to promote in our schools. Through learning more about Terry Fox, students will get to see specific examples of these traits from someone who they will be able to relate to on many levels. At the end of these lessons, students will create a strong visual representation of both Terry Fox and your school’s Character Traits to be displayed for others to see.
Success Criteria Students;
are able to gather and select the key ideas and organize them effectively into a final product. will know more about Terry Fox and the character traits that he exemplified.
Curriculum Expectations Writing
Generate, gather, and organize ideas and information to write for an intended purpose and audience. Materials/Media
BLM I-9: “Character Traits” part one BLM I-10: “Character Traits” part two BLM I-11: “Character Traits” template BLM I-12: “Terry Fox- Word Splash Activity” rubric Newspaper Articles from Terry Fox Foundation Website (URL: http://www.terryfox.org) Video: “Try the Impossible” (8:50 minutes) Terry Fox Foundation Video Compilation DVD Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjgTlCTluPA
Video: “My Friend Terry: Jay Triano” (7:04 minutes) Terry Fox Foundation Video Compilation DVD 2 Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFQHJCEpnsY
Lesson Delivery Setting the Stage: Graffiti Activity
Prior to students entering the room, hang pieces of chart paper around the room with the following statements on them: Who is Terry Fox? What did he do? Why did Terry do this? What was Terry Fox like? Additional facts and Information. Write words that describe him. Questions?
Split students into seven groups and give each group a different colour marker. Each group will start at a different piece of chart paper and will write down whatever they
know based on the statement. After two minutes, the groups will rotate to the next piece of chart paper. Continue until all groups have visited each piece of graph paper. Note: Marker moves with group rotation. For instance, the ‘blue’ group’s ideas/graffiti will be seen at each station after all of the rotations are complete.
Have students return to their seats and discuss the information gathered about Terry. This will demonstrate their understanding of what students know and will help make sure all of the students have a similar awareness of Terry Fox and his accomplishments.
Core Learning Activity
Discuss with students how Terry Fox is a role model to many people around the world because he has many great character traits that made him successful with regards to his goals. Ask the class, what character traits they feel that good role models have in common. Make a list on an anchor chart at the front of the classroom.
Here is a list of the character traits that The Terry Fox Foundation has selected to focus on: Empathy, Respect, Honesty, Integrity, Caring, Perseverance, Courage, Team Work.
Use these traits or select the traits that you would like to focus on in this lesson. Hand out the ‘Character Traits’ sheet (BLM I-9 & BLM I-10) to each student. Note: A blank ‘Character Traits’ sheet (BLM-11) has been provided if you would like to select
different traits to focus on. Show video(s), “Try the Impossible” and/or “My Friend Terry: Jay Triano” or read newspaper
articles from the Terry Fox Foundation website (www.Terrryfox.org). While watching or listening, students will fill in (under the appropriate headings) how he has demonstrated these different character traits throughout the Marathon of Hope and his life.
Upon completion of these activities, discuss with students the importance of developing these character traits and the impact they will have on their goals and future.
Application of Information
Assign students ‘Word Splash’ activity (BLM I-12). Students will start by selecting a word or image that they feel best represents Terry Fox. For
example, they may use the word ‘Courage’ as their outline. Or they might use an image, such as an outline of a maple leaf.
If they use a word, students should write the word in large bubble/block letters making sure there is room to draw or write within each letter. If they use an image, students should make sure there is enough room inside the image to add other images or more text.
Hint: Have students use words to create the outline of the image or the word instead of using a line.
Now using the information collected on the Character Traits sheets (BLM I-9 to BLM I-11) students will fill in the word or text with other words or images relating to Terry Fox.
Students should add colour, detail and anything else that will make their assignment standout and better represent Terry Fox.
Encourage students to have all of the character traits discussed in the lesson somewhere on their image.
Assessment Using the rubric provided (BLM I-12) assess students on their ability to gather and organize their information into a final product that is creative, eye-catching and purposeful. Extension Activity Create a ‘Character Traits’ bulletin board either in your classroom or in the hallway with each of the traits displayed. Use some of the information about Terry Fox to go under each of the Character Traits headings. Have students add to this board using other stories they found in the media or in their own community.
