Go to the program description page
Go to the Ring of Valor home page
You are at Awareness skills Go to the problem solving skills page Go to the caring skills page Go to the facing fear page Go to the action skills page
Go to Program Implementation Go to Links Go the Bullying application of The Ring of Valor Go to other programs at the WonderWise Parent

Awareness skills
5. What is heroism?
Go to Awareness lesson 1Go to Awareness lesson 2Go to Awareness lesson 3Go to Awareness lesson 4You are at Awareness lesson 5Go to Awareness lesson 6Go to Awareness lesson 7go to Awareness lesson 8

Key ideas
1. Heroism can be dramatic and attention-getting.
2. Heroism can be quiet and hidden from view.
3. Heroism involves accepting a risk or sacrifice to achieve something noble.

Activity
In this lesson, begin to integrate previous discussions on fear, risk, courage, and nobility into a definition of heroism. Ask children to define what heroism is. There are many different ways to define heroism. Children could find the definition in a dictionary or encyclopedia. Record children's ideas of what heroism means to try to achieve consensus. Then compare their definition to ours:

Heroic behavior involves finding the courage to take a significant risk or make a great sacrifice to achieve a noble goal.

Ask children to identify as many examples of heroism as they can. Emphasize that heroism, like courage, can be dramatic and obvious (a teenager donates his kidney to his brother) or more hidden from view (a father works two difficult jobs to support his family). To understand heroism, we have to make several judgments. Is the act a free choice? Is there risk or sacrifice involved? Did the person overcome fear or self-gratification to make the choice? Is the purpose of the act noble?

Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion for this lesson? Go to the author contact page.
backnext

maphttp://www.ksu.edu/wwparent/programs/hero/hero-aware-5.htm--Revised June 13, 2005
Copyright © 1996-2005 Charles A. Smith. All rights reserved.