📖

The Threat Grows: Understanding Courage

Courage and Fear

Day 41of 180
Week 9of 36
35Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand plot development in Number the Stars

2

Identify how characters respond to increasing danger

3

Recognize the importance of standing up for others

📖 Scripture Connection

Joshua 1:9

“Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid, neither be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (WEB)

Demonstrates God's call to courage in difficult situations

📦 Materials Needed

  • Number the Stars book
  • Character motivation chart
  • Colored pencils
  • Notebook
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students and review previous reading. Ask students to share what they remember about the story's main characters and setting.

💭 Review Question: What do you remember about Annemarie and Ellen's friendship?
2Teaching (15 min)

Read chapters 4-5 of Number the Stars, pausing to discuss how the danger to Jewish families is increasing and how characters are responding to the threat.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Nazi occupation creates increasing danger
  • Families must make difficult choices to protect each other
  • Courage means doing the right thing even when you're scared
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How are Annemarie and her family showing courage?
  • What risks are the characters taking?
  • How would you feel if you were in their situation?
3Activity: Courage Character Map (10 min)
hands-on

Create a visual map showing character motivations and brave actions

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a large heart in notebook
  2. In the center, write 'Courage'
  3. Around the heart, list characters and their brave actions
  4. Use different colors to show different types of courage
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Draw stick figures representing brave moments

Challenge: Write potential consequences for each brave action

4Closing (5 min)

Discuss how God gives us strength to be brave

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about courage today?
  • How can we show courage in our own lives?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us be brave like Annemarie and her family. Give us courage to stand up for others and do what is right.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll continue reading and explore Annemarie's inner fears and courage

💎 Memory Verse

Joshua 1:9

“Be strong and courageous! Don't be afraid, neither be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Courage Pose: Students strike a brave pose while reciting verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Lesson explores courage during the Holocaust through a child's perspective

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be sensitive when discussing historical persecution
  • Emphasize hope and human kindness
  • Connect story to biblical principles of love and protection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might feel overwhelmed by historical context

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Understanding of courage as action despite fear

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Research Danish resistance during World War II
  • Create a family courage story
  • Draw a comic strip showing a brave moment

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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