1. Understanding Character and why it matters
Gifted Hands
Understanding Character and why it matters

2. A Letter from the Main Character

3. Activity 1: Who Changed your Life?
Ben’s mother, Sonya, pushes him to succeed and won’t let him give up. She knows that determination, self-respect, and education are the keys to success. Following her own philosophy, she learned to read later in life as a cleaning lady for a professor.

4. Character Traits for Success
Create two images similar to the one below in your notebook. Write Ben’s name in one, and his mother (Sonya’s) name in another.
Connect to the circle the character traits that helped both of them be successful
Eg. Dedication
Sonya
Ben

5. Fill in as many character traits as you can think of as you watch the movie (click below)
Gifted Hands

6. Who do you have in your corner?
Review some of the character traits you listed for Ben and Sonja.
Now think of someone in your life that supports you in your success: a family member, teacher, coach, etc...
Write that person’s name in
the circle, and record the
character traits they have
that has helped you succeed ?

7. Parent/ Guardian Interview
Tonight, you will interview your parent(s)/guardian(s) about a special person who made an impact in their lives.
Write five questions to ask
Record the memories and thoughts about their special individual

8. Brainstorm your own character
Write down as many character traits for yourself as you can. Use one colour for positive traits, another for your more challenging traits
Next to the traits that
create challenges, draw
an arrow () and
write how this can be
changed to a positive
You

9. Find your own talents
Ben had two special talents that, along with his dedication and intelligence, that allowed him to be successful: hand-eye coordination and excellent depth perception.
Think about your own talents: What makes you unique? How can your talents be used?

10. Complete the following questions
What do you enjoy doing?
What are your talents?
What do you consider your most important talent?
How could you use your talent to help someone else?
Why is it important to share your talents with others?

11. Use your talents
Next, choose a talent of yours that you can teach to the class. You must teach it to a small group of other students, using 3 different multiple intelligences
Eg. Teaching how to throw a football bodily-kinesthetic (showing how to throw), visually (drawing pictures) and interpersonally (group work)

12. Giving back to the community
Brainstorm how your character traits and talents can be used to support others in the community
Copy a larger version of the circle on the next page, and fill it with how you can become a greater positive connection in a community (eg. School, local, religious, sports club, etc)

13. The world community
Immediate community

14. Letter to Your Future Self
Write a letter to yourself one year from now. Include in your letter:
How you want people to see you in a year
Challenges that you hope to overcome in the next year
Activities, clubs or other achievements you would like to be involved in
Who you would like to be: as a student, as a friend, as a daughter/ son, a sibling, etc...