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CharacterStrong SpotlightGRADE 12, LESSON 12

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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 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.*

• 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(4 minutes)

Video(16-18 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.

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CharacterStrong SpotlightGRADE 12, LESSON 12

• *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 (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 in 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.”

• 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: Є What stood out to you about Malala’s story? Є What is one reason Malala became so well known around the world? Є What would you be willing to fight for in the world? What are you willing to

risk for it?

Video (16-18 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).*

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CharacterStrong SpotlightGRADE 12, LESSON 12

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, in what ways do we take for granted the opportunities we have every day to use our voice to move important missions forward in our school and community? I challenge you to use your voice to do good and make change today, even if it seems small.”

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

won the Nobel Peace Prize? Є Do you think sometimes we take for granted how good we have it here when

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