Objectives:• Students will reflect on their own character and identify ways they could improve it.• Students will understand who Malala Yousafzai is.• Students will understand what makes her so influential and worth spotlighting.• Students will see how service and sacrifice can lead to influence.

Materials:• Image: CharacterDare Image Set• Video: The Story of Malala Yousafzai (2:21)• Video: The Incomparable Malala Yousafzai (8:09)

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

• Ask students to turn and talk to the person next to them or partner up and discuss the previous CharacterDare by answering the Truth or Dare prompt.

• Truth: “What do you think about our most recent Dare?” • Dare: “Reflect on your experience with our most recent Dare.”

• Using random cold calling or asking for volunteers, ask students to share their Truth or Dare reflections. Encourage 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 even completing each Dare; rather, it is about striving to improve our character by intentionally practicing.

• *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.

Video (4 minutes):• Say, “Today we are going to spotlight a young woman from Pakistan named Malala. In 2009, at

the age of 12, she began speaking up for the right to education for kids in Pakistan - especially young girls who were not allowed to go to school. In 2011, she was known around the world at the age of 14 for her voice promoting education. She was actually nominated at 14 years old for the International Children’s Peace Prize. This angered the Taliban who had a heavy presence in Pakistan, and they were ordered to kill her.”

© CharacterStrong, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Distribute.

Grade 12, Lesson 12

Page 1

CharacterStrong Spotlight - Malala

• Say, “We are going to watch a brief documentary outlining her early life fighting for education rights for all girls around the world.”

• *Play Video: The Story of Malala Yousafzai (2:21).*

• Have a class discussion using any or all of the following questions:• What stood out to you about Malala’s story?• What is one reason Malala became so well known around the world?• What would you be willing to fight for in the world? What are you willing to risk for it?

Video (18 minutes):• Say, “We are going to watch one more video of Malala. This time it is an interview with her

and Ellen Degeneres and she is much older. As you watch, I want you to think about what character traits Malala demonstrates and what happened to her influence on the world after she was attacked by the Taliban.”

• *Play Video: The Incomparable Malala Yousafzai (8:09).*

• Have a class discussion using any or all of the following questions:• What are some ways Malala has served and sacrificed? • Who is she sacrificing for?• How did it build influence?• What happened to Malala’s influence after she was shot by the Taliban?• What character traits does she have that make her stand out? • How did her actions speak to her character when she found out she had won the Nobel

Peace Prize? • Do you think sometimes we take for granted how good we have it here when it comes

to our rights and education? • What is something you could stand up for here in your country?

Exit Intentionally (1 minute):• Say, “Malala was once quoted as saying, ‘We realize the importance of our voice only when

we are silenced.’ With that thought, I challenge you to use your voice to do good and make change today, even if it’s small.”

© CharacterStrong, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Do Not Distribute.

Grade 12, Lesson 12

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CharacterStrong Spotlight - Malala

Selflessness

Table TrashNear the end of lunch, go to a nearby table and offer

to take anything anyone is ready to throw away.Don’t pull their snack pack before they are finished, but offer to grab anything that is garbage. You can start with your own table

first!

Truth or Dare

Selflessness

What do you think about the current Dare?

Reflect on your experience with

the previous Dare.

Selflessness

Opportunities All AroundFind a local non-profit organization that’s near you and send them an email or call to see how you can

get involved.There are so many places doing so many great things. Find a way to get involved in your community. Maybe it’s reading to preschool students. Maybe it’s volunteering at the hospital. Maybe it’s tending a garden at a senior center. Selflessness is going out of your way

to get involved.