Following are the optional projects for the 4th and 5th grade Courage unit. Encourage your child to consider choosing one and doing a fabulous, detailed job on it. Hopefully they will become enthused and enjoy their learning. Just a reminder - please let them do all of the project independently; this includes coming up with ideas and solving problems. Here are the options:
1. Be a photographer. Take high quality, artistic, photographs that exemplify courage. Pretend you are entering a photo contest, the topic of which is “courage”. Along with your photos write about what is going on in the picture and what your interpretation and/or thoughts are for each. Display your work attractively.
2. Athletes and sports are an area for courage to be shown. Provide pictures and stories of courage being shown by athletes and/or in the area of sports. You may choose to present your work via any medium, however, it is suggested that PowerPoint, Moviemaker, or high quality posters would work well.
3. Write and illustrate a children’s book showing courage demonstrated in a more everyday, ordinary way. Your book should make easy for a young child understanding what courage is.
4. Produce and perform a presentation designed to teach kindergarten aged children what courage is. The presentation should portray some typical situations which require taking courageous stands against a group or individual. Lead a discussion after each to make sure your points are clear. You might consider using a play, puppets, or video for parts or your presentation.
5. Courage poems – compose a series of original poems on a theme of “courage”. You may interpret this as you wish, though explanation may be required. Visually present your poems in a pleasing manner. Would you like to add associated artwork?
6. Following are some movies containing examples of courage. Based on the viewing of your chosen movie, do one of the following activities.
A. Produce a television advertisement promoting the movie.
B. Perform (live or on video) a movie review. Look to actual movie reviews or review television shows for examples, or you might pattern your review like the book reviews done on Reading Rainbow.
Movies: Gandhi, Chariots of Fire, Marty, Captains Courageous (1937 version, staring Spencer Tracy), High Noon, or Spartacus. Note: Yes, these movies are old, but they are also very well done.
7. What do you fear? Be courageous! Choose something that you fear and come up with a series of steps that will lead you to your goal of conquering this fear. Take the devised steps and report (in a manner of your creative choice) on your experience. Possible examples may include standing up to a bully, telling the truth about something important you had previously lied about, various types of public speaking, or even singing in front of your Target classJ.
8. Defend the indefensible. Pretend that you are the lawyer for one of the following people from history. You are to defend their actions to a “jury of history”. Give your closing arguments to the jury defending your client on the basis that they were actually acting in a courageous manner. Explain their courage and use this to persuade the jury of your client’s innocence. Here are your potential clients: A. Hitler, G. Khan, J. Stalin, Idi Amin, or Queen Mary I.
9. Create a billboard for courage. It should be of high quality and a minimum size of 18” x 30”. In addition, explain every aspect of your billboard and tell why it is part of your display. What impression or action do you want viewers to come away with or wanting to do?
10. Write a letter to someone in the news whose courage has impressed or inspired you. Actually send your letter to this person after making a copy to share with the class. Give your well thought out reasons for choosing to write this particular person. Lots may show courage; why did you choose this person?
11. Create a “wall of courage”. Your “wall” is to be covered with plaques honoring people you believe to have exemplified courage. For each display the minimum information must include a picture or photograph, a summary of accomplishments, and an explanation as to how they exemplify courage.
12. Create a video public service announcement promoting courage in some way. Your PSA must be at least 45 seconds long.
13. Songs are often poems set to music. Select at least 3 songs. Analyze the lyrics in each (and possibly the music) to explain how courage is exemplified. Present your project in a creative manner of you own choosing.
14. Come up with a project of your own design. Be sure to get your teacher’s permission for your self-designed project before beginning work on it.
Courage projects are due: 4th Grade: May 1
5th Grade: April 26
The assessment will cover the areas of:
Evidence of Effort
Evidence of Research
Evidence of Creativity
Accuracy of Information Presented
Quality of Product
