Step 1 - Minute Mystery to get warmed up: Two chess grandmasters played five games of chess. Each won the same number of games, and each lost the same number of games. There were no ties in any of the games. How could this be so? (Answer at the bottom of the page)
Step 2 - Get Ready to Read: (*Read aloud to younger students. Have older students share in reading the book to the class.)
Every day each of us sees something that we know needs to be changed. Maybe we see trash that has been carelessly left on the ground. Maybe we see someone who forgot their pencil take a pencil from a friend’s desk without asking. Maybe we see the new student in our class being teased by other students because the new student speaks with a foreign accent. In the book I Am Somebody by Nyasha Williams, the readers realize that the “somebody” who should try to help is you and me.
It is especially important for you to begin an early journey to become a leader. As we listen to this story, let’s all think of what we could do to as part of the “somebodies” who speak up and help. Then, when we are eligible, we will be the leaders who vote, volunteer, and use our voices to work for a better world.
To Think About (S.T.A.R. Card): All of us are preparing to become leaders, first in school, then in community, then state, and finally…like those running for President of the United States…for the whole country. What steps would you take to prepare to become a leader in your school and community?
Step 3 - Final exercise: How can you make the world a better place.
Each of us is SOMEBODY. Each of us has to do our part. Think of something you would like to do to make your world a better place and then create a poster, write a poem, write a song, tell a story, and share it below to show others what you want to do.
I Am Somebody who wants to make the world a better place. Here’s how…
Minute Mystery answer: Each grandmaster played (and lost/won) some games against other opponents — so it’s possible both end up with the same record.