Name: _____________________________________
Date:_____________________
Student Appreciation Week: Day 5: Capable of Greatness
Look at the photo below. It is titled Tank Man or Unknown Rebel, a nickname for the anonymous man in the picture. It
was taken June 5, 1989 in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, the morning after the Chinese military removed people who
were protesting. It is one of the most famous photographs in history. 3 min.
Song: 4 min.
"Head Full of Doubt, Road Full of Promise" by The Avett Brothers
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
Quickwrite: 4 min.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” –Mahatma Ghandi
First, describe what you think is the biggest problem in the world today. Then, describe one thing you can do to help
that problem.
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Poem: 5 min.
Graffiti from British street artist Banksy
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” by Maya Angelou
The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.
But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom
The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
According to Angelou, why do birds in cages sing?
Why is the free bird represented as not singing?
What do you think the caged bird is a metaphor for?
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Videos: 10 min.
Today’s video is from the film The Great Dictator, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. At the time of its release, the
U.S. was still formally at peace with Nazi Germany. Chaplin's film showed a stirring, controversial condemnation of
Hitler, fascism, anti-Semitism, and the Nazis, whom he describes as having “machine guns and machine hearts.”
(information from Wikipedia)
Big Fish: Greater Things (2:35)
The Greatest Speech Ever Made (3:38)
Charlie Chaplin, the man who wrote and acted out that speech, was trying to send a message to Hitler and to others.
What do you think that message was?
With whom does Chaplin believe that true power lies?
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Story time: 7 min
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss
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Reflection: 3 min.
I hope that this week has been meaningful for you. My goal for this week was to remind you that, because you
are loved, worthy, powerful, and special, you are capable of doing great things on this earth. It is easy to forget,
especially when we feel small or unimportant or unloved, that we were meant for greatness. I hope that the
packets from this week will help remind you of that the next time you forget.
For your last Post-It note, finish this sentence: “I am capable of _________________________________.”