Courageous Critters: Learning from Animals - Teacher Script

Warm-Up: What Brave Animal? (5 minutes)

"Good morning, future courageous kids! Today, we're going to talk about bravery, but we're going to look at it in a fun, new way! I want you to think about animals. Can you name an animal you think is very brave? And why do you think that animal is brave?"

(Listen to student responses and write some ideas on the board. Encourage thinking beyond just big, strong animals.)

"Those are fantastic ideas! We have some really brave animals in mind already."

Introduction to Animal Courage (10 minutes)

"(Transition to Courageous Critters Slide Deck, Slide 2) So, what exactly is animal courage? Just like us, animals show bravery when they protect their families, like a mommy bird scaring away a big cat to save her little chicks. They show bravery when they try new things, like a baby bird learning to fly for the very first time! And sometimes, they face scary things or help their friends, even when it's hard."

"(Transition to Courageous Critters Slide Deck, Slide 3) Here are some examples of real-life brave animals. Can anyone think of another animal they've seen or heard about that showed courage?"

(Allow time for students to share. Prompt with questions if needed: "What about a small pet being brave?" or "What if an animal helps another animal?")

"Wow, it sounds like bravery is all around us, even in the animal kingdom!"

Story Time: Courageous Critter Tales (20 minutes)

"Now, get ready for some storytelling! We're going to split into small groups, and each group will get some Animal Bravery Story Cards. Each card has a short story about an animal in a situation where it needs to be brave. Your job is to read the story together and talk about how the animal could show bravery. What brave choice could it make?"

(Divide students into groups, distribute story cards. Circulate, listen, and offer guidance. After about 15 minutes, bring the class back together.)

"Alright, my courageous groups! Let's hear some of your amazing ideas. Who would like to share one of their animal stories and the brave choice the animal made or could make?"

"Those are incredible examples of animal bravery! It takes a lot of smart thinking and courage to do those things."

Activity: My Courageous Critter (20 minutes)

"(Transition to Courageous Critters Slide Deck, Slide 5) You've all done a wonderful job thinking about brave animals. Now it's your turn to create your very own Courageous Critter! I'm going to give you a My Courageous Critter Activity worksheet. On it, you can draw or write about an animal that shows bravery. It can be a real animal or an imaginary one! Think about what brave action it takes and what 'bravery superpower' it uses, like perseverance, kindness, or speaking up."

"After you've created your critter, you can decorate it with your favorite colors and make it super special!"

(Distribute worksheets and art supplies. Circulate, provide encouragement, and answer questions. Remind them that creativity and thoughtfulness are key.)

Cool-Down: Critter Courage Share (5 minutes)

"(Transition to Courageous Critters Slide Deck, Slide 6) Time to wrap up our Courageous Critters! I would love for a few volunteers to share their amazing critters with the class. Tell us about your animal and what makes it brave!"

"Thank you for sharing your wonderful creations! It's clear that you all understand what bravery looks like, both in animals and in yourselves."

"Remember, just like those courageous critters, you also have courage inside you. Every day is a chance to be brave, whether it's trying something new, helping a friend, or speaking your truth. You are all courageous kids!"

"Great work today, everyone!"

Animal Bravery Story Cards

Instructions for Students:

Read each story card with your group. Discuss: How can the animal in the story show bravery? What brave choices could they make?

Story Card 1: The Lost Puppy

A little puppy named Pip gets separated from his family during a walk in the park. It's getting dark, and he's never been alone before. He feels scared and wants to just hide. But he knows he needs to find his way back.

How can Pip show bravery?

Story Card 2: The Scared Bird

Sparkle, a tiny bird, has always been afraid to fly higher than the smallest tree branch. All her friends are soaring high, but she gets dizzy just thinking about it. Today, her family is moving to a taller tree.

How can Sparkle show bravery?

Story Card 3: The Hungry Squirrel

Squeaky the squirrel found the last nut of the season, but then he saw a smaller, weaker squirrel who hadn't found any food all day. Squeaky is very hungry too, but he feels bad for the other squirrel.

How can Squeaky show bravery?

Story Card 4: The Brave Bee

Bella the bee noticed a spider building a web right near the entrance to her hive, where all the other bees fly in and out. She's small and a bit scared of spiders, but she knows the web could trap her friends.

How can Bella show bravery?

Story Card 5: The New Pond

Freddie the frog lives in a small, cozy pond. One day, he hears about a much bigger pond with lots of new lily pads and yummy flies, but it's a long, unknown hop away. He's nervous about leaving his safe home.

How can Freddie show bravery?

Story Card 6: The Grumpy Goat

Gary the goat usually plays by himself. One day, a new, shy goat joins the herd, and some of the other goats are being a bit grumpy and not letting the new goat join their game. Gary feels a little scared to say anything.

How can Gary show bravery?

My Courageous Critter Activity

Name: ____________________________

Instructions: Draw or write about an animal that shows bravery. It can be a real animal or an imaginary one! What brave action does it take? What bravery superpower does it use?

My Courageous Critter

Critter Courage Cool-Down

Name: ____________________________

1. What is one brave thing you learned about animals today?
   
   
   
   

2. What is one brave thing you can do this week, like a courageous critter?
   
   
   
   

3. Circle the animal superpower you feel best describes your bravery today:
   
   
   
   
   Perseverance      Kindness      Speaking Up      Trying New Things

Bravery Boost: Everyday Courage - Teacher Script

Warm-Up: What Does Bravery Look Like? (10 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important called bravery. Has anyone heard that word before? What do you think it means to be brave?"

"Great ideas! Let's put some of them on the board. When you hear the word bravery, what comes to mind? Maybe a superhero? Or someone doing something amazing?"

(Write down student responses on the board. Guide them toward both big and small acts.)

Introduction to Bravery (10 minutes)

"(Transition to Bravery Boost Slide Deck, Slide 2) You all had some wonderful thoughts. Let's look at what bravery really means. Bravery means acting even when you feel a little bit scared. It's doing what you know is right, even if it's hard. It's also about trying new things, even if you're not sure you'll be good at them, or speaking up when something isn't fair."

"(Transition to Bravery Boost Slide Deck, Slide 3) Bravery isn't just for superheroes! We show bravery in our everyday lives. Look at some of these examples: Trying a new food, asking for help, saying no to something you don't want to do. Can anyone think of a time they did one of these things, or something similar, even if they felt a little nervous?"

"Excellent examples! See? You've all been brave already."

Story Time: Brave Choices (15 minutes)

"Now, we're going to work in small groups. I have some What is Bravery? Story Cards with different situations. Your group will read the story and talk about how the character in the story could show bravery. How could they make a brave choice?"

(Divide students into groups and distribute story cards. Circulate to assist groups and facilitate discussion. After about 10 minutes, bring the class back together.)

"Alright, let's hear from each group! Who would like to share one of their stories and how the character could be brave?"

"Wonderful thinking! It takes bravery to decide to do the right thing."

Activity: My Bravery Shield (20 minutes)

"(Transition to Bravery Boost Slide Deck, Slide 5) For our next activity, you're going to create your very own My Bravery Shield Activity! On your worksheet, you'll draw or write about times you have been brave, or how you can be brave in the future. Think about different places: at home, at school, with your friends, or when you're trying something new. You can also think about what bravery means to you."

"Once you're done, you can decorate your shield with colors and make it uniquely yours!"

(Distribute worksheets and art supplies. Circulate and provide support and encouragement. Remind students there are no right or wrong answers, only their personal reflections on bravery.)

Cool-Down: Share Your Shield & Reflect (5 minutes)

"(Transition to Bravery Boost Slide Deck, Slide 6) Time is almost up for our bravery shields! I'd love for a few volunteers to share their shields with the class. What did you draw or write about?"

"Thank you for sharing your incredible shields! It's clear you all have so much bravery inside you."

"Remember, every day you have a chance to show your bravery. Look for opportunities to be courageous, kind, honest, and to never give up. You are all amazing and brave!"

"Great job today, everyone!"

What is Bravery? Story Cards

Instructions for Students:

Read each story card with your group. Discuss: How can the character in the story show bravery? What brave choices could they make?

Story Card 1: The New Kid

Maya is new to your school. At recess, she is standing alone by the fence, watching everyone play. You want to invite her to play, but you feel a little shy and worried she might say no, or that your other friends might not want her to join.

How can you show bravery?

Story Card 2: The Tricky Math Problem

You are working on a math worksheet, and you come across a problem that looks really, really hard. You feel like you don't know how to start, and you're a little scared to ask the teacher for help because you don't want to look like you don't understand.

How can you show bravery?

Story Card 3: The Wobbly Bike

Your dad is trying to teach you how to ride your bike without training wheels. You keep wobbling and almost falling, and it feels a bit scary. You want to give up and just go inside, even though you really want to learn.

How can you show bravery?

Story Card 4: The Loud Thunder

It's a big storm outside, and the thunder is rumbling very loudly. You're in your room and you feel a little bit scared. You want to hide under your bed, but you also want to feel safe and calm.

How can you show bravery?

Story Card 5: The Messy Mistake