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Admirable Qualities
In Search of Self - Human Qualities and Ideals
Teacher Page
student version of this page OR back to the Human Qualities and Ideals home page

Key Concept:

There are qualities for which all people strive. In this lesson, you will have the chance to explore what these qualities are and whether all people have the potential to exhibit these qualities.

Objectives:

Students will be able to
- speak to share thoughts, opinions, and feelings
- explore human experiences and values reflected in texts
- demonstrate the ability to trace a coherent thought pattern to a suitable conclusion

Assessment and Evaluation

Teaching-Learning Strategies:

before exploring other regions' traditions and values, it is important for students to consider North American traditions and values. Once students have done this, they will be able to look at whether there are qualities for which all people strive.

Task One: Our Admiration

Brainstorm as a class what qualities North Americans seem to admire.

pen If you are concerned that your class may have trouble getting started, you may want to consider bringing in a short newspaper article or feature story on an admirable person. Have students read the article and note what admirable qualities are mentioned.

Time Magazine has a long list of in depth stories that you could use to get students thinking about admirable people.


during the reading of written text from other countries, have the students select relevant ideas and details by filling in the chart provided. This chart will help them to keep a record of the characters' actions and determine what values each main character seems to have.

Task Two: Our Own Abilities

Choose a short story for the students to read that has one or two main characters who have admirable qualities.

pen Mini-lesson opportunity - this may be an excellent time to review the parts of a short story. Click on the mini-lessons button to find handouts and suggestions for this concept.


Possible suggestions:
a+"What Men Live By" (L. Tolstoy, Russia - Literature and Language: English and World Literature)
"Salt" (A. Holth, Finland - World Literature - Glencoe )
"Like the Sun " (R.K. Narayan, India - Literature and the Language Arts: World Literature)

Once the students have finished reading the story, they should answer the questions on the student version of this page and discuss the answers. Alternatively, have students use the prompts on this after listening/reading/viewing guide to help them understand and analyze the story. Help students to make connections to the key concept by asking guiding questions during the discussion.

pen For example, you can use the following question answered by students: "Do all people have the potential to be admirable?" to discuss real examples of people taking admirable actions everyday such as natural disaster relief efforts or international volunteer organizations.


after you have helped the students to take an in depth look at admirable qualities using the literature, they will have the chance to apply their knowledge in writing.

Task Three - Our Chance to Honour the Admirable

Students will choose one of the characters in the story for whom to write an obituary. Give them details on what must be included (see the student version of this page) and an example of how they will be marked.

pen Remind students that an obituary is not just a chronological record of a person's life but also a chance to highlight the admirable things the person has done in his/her time.

As this obituary is being written about a fictional character, students will need to take creative license with some of the details and use evidence from the story for other details.

pen Providing students with examples and proper structure is an important step. You may want to consider having students read a few obituaries and discuss as a class what information they will include in the obituary they are writing.

You can see current obituaries at any of the following sites:
- The Globe and Mail
- The New York Times
- Obituaries Today

Viewing these professional obituaries will give you a chance to discuss how different purposes and audiences affect the tone and style of a composition. See the mini-lesson on tone and audience for more information.

Writing an obituary for a fictional character, and taking the time to decide what details should be included, is a process where students must begin to look at how someone is remembered. This activity can be the first step in helping students to realize that their daily actions and their values are their legacy.

Resources:

- newspaper article for brainstorming activity

One of the following short stories:
1. "What Men Live By" (L. Tolstoy, Russia - Literature and Language: English and World Literature)
2. "Salt" (A. Holth, Finland - World Literature - Glencoe )
3. "Like the Sun " (R.K. Narayan, India - Literature and the Language Arts: World Literature)

- values/admirable qualities chart (.doc) or (.rtf)
- after listening/reading/viewing guide (.doc) or (.rtf)
- obituary checklist (.doc) or (.rtf)

Assessment and Evaluation:

pen Tasks One and Two ask students to speak to share thoughts and explore human experiences through text.

The teacher can informally assess the students' understanding of admirable qualities and the text through guided discussion.

pen Task Three requires the students to trace a coherent thought pattern to a suitable conclusion by asking them to follow format, to write with purpose, and to use information from a literary selection.

As this may be one of the first written assignments the students are doing, a checklist is an easy and appropriate way for the teacher to provide feedback.

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 September 25, 2006 4:55 PM