What is courage? ( A Lesson Plan Connected to the Play "The Crucible"

 



Description of Lesson Plan 

This lesson plan will discuss the idea of courage.  In the first part, I use a Prezi presentation created by Jamie Ritone in order to put in perspective the concept of courage. Next, students practice this concept with a handout by George Hillocks, author of "Teaching Argument Writing". Then, I include a New York Post article as an extended activity to make sure that students have understood the concept. Finally, I connect this idea to a writing assignment for the play "The Crucible".


Reason for This Lesson Plan

Students do not think critically about the idea of courage or the concept of being a hero. Distinctions are needed because every situation is not courageous or heroic. A police officer or fireman are not always courageous. Their courage must be put in context. 

Step 1
Show the presentation to the students and have them discuss the idea of courage, asking them to develop a criteria for it.
Presentation

Step 2
In groups, students discuss the Hillocks handout, using the criteria they developed in step 1, and decide if the scenarios presented in the handout are courageous.
Hillocks's Handout

Step 3
Students read a New York Post article and evaluate if the character in it, based on the criteria they have developed, is courageous.
Article

Step 4
Using their criteria for courage, students will write an essay in order to assess if John Proctor's actions in the play are courageous or heroic.