Courageous Acts (We Do It For The Culture)

Self Confidence
Written By Gina Patterson

Grade Range: 6–8

SEL Domains: Self confidence

Estimated Time: 75–90 Minutes

Relational Risk: Medium to High (depends on student comfort with sharing personal/family stories)

Lesson Description 

Students will explore their family history, reflect on examples of courage in their lives and communities, and identify ways to grow their own courage, inspired by Palestinian rapper Belly’s immigrant experience.

Learning Objectives

  • Reflect on how family and cultural background shape identity

  • Recognize and analyze acts of courage in themselves and others

  • Identify ways to build personal courage and confidence

  • Connect individual experiences to broader stories of resilience

Materials Needed

Lesson Structure

CYPHER (10 min)

  • Ritual: Libation / Acknowledgements / Apologies / Announcements / Affirmations

ICEBREAKER / HOOK: Family Mapping (15 min)

  • Fill in family mapping templates (including chosen family)

  • Reflect on origins and migration

  • Optional: Share maps with a peer and discuss how family history impacts identity

PART ONE: Acts of Courage (30 min)

Belly’s Story

  • Share background on Belly

  • Watch the video

  • Concentric Circles Discussion (6 total partners across 3–4 questions):

    • What stood out in Belly’s story?

    • What SEL strengths did he show?

    • Who do you know who’s courageous and why?

    • Have you shown courage before? What did you learn?

Quick Write & Gallery Walk

  • Write 1 example of courage on a post-it

  • Post them on a board or wall

  • Look for patterns in types of courage and debrief

PART TWO: Be Courageous (30 min)

Courage-Building Tips

  • Discuss small, community-rooted ways to be courageous

  • Talk about fear and bravery coexisting

  • Reflect on how support systems build courage

Quote Reflection

  • Choose a quote from Black and Asian leaders

  • Use organizer to write:

    • Why you chose it

    • How it can help you be more courageous

Optional Share-Out: Invite a few students to read their chosen quote aloud and explain why it matters to them.


Gina Patterson
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