Bravery - Week 6

I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.

-Rosa Parks

For an overview of each weekly slide presentation, please skip below to your specific grade level.

• To see the 1-page Bravery Character Card and share it with your students’ families, click here.

• For the P2 Reflection Journals, used by all elementary students at the end of the week, click here.

Starting Monday, and lasting for two weeks, Partner Schools nationwide are learning about bravery. Bravery refers to voluntary (not coerced) action in the face of a dangerous circumstance. This strength involves judgment; the brave person must have an understanding of the risks and consequences involved in acting. That means that bravery isn’t the absence of fear, but rather the overcoming of fear.
Bravery takes three primary forms: mental, moral, and physical. Mental bravery occurs when people overcome their everyday fears and anxieties. Moral bravery occurs when an individual does what he/she believes is right in the face of social and/or financial consequences. Physical bravery involves overcoming fear of bodily injury or death.

Below are two videos that highlight bravery. The first is a video of Rosa Parks, an activist in the Civil Rights Movement whose refusal to vacate her bus seat for white passengers sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZsOZSrcjfw

The second is a video of Captain Will Swenson, a Medal of Honor recipient of whom President Obama said, “Americans like Will remind us of what our country can be at its best. A nation of citizens who look out for one another, who meet our obligations to one another not just when it’s easy, but also when it’s hard—maybe especially when it’s hard.”

So, why does bravery matter?

Overcoming fears is critically important in individual development, as it allows the person to do more and become more. On a group level, bravery is inspiring and contagious. Witnessing an individual’s brave act – whether a soldier in battle or standing up for a bullied student – is a form of leadership and often encourages others to take action. Communities and societies throughout time have held bravery in high esteem because they know its inherent importance.

And, as a reminder, you can find all of our weekly slide presentations on our website’s Resources page. Enjoy the slides — and please be sure to let us know how it’s going by posting to Twitter and using the #PositivityInAction hashtag!