Overview Having read literature based on the Max Warburg Curriculum (Special #1) and paid tribute to family and neighborhood heroes (Special #2), students discuss several character-building themes of courage: friendship, loyalty, death, and overcoming prejudice. Students then write their own stories of courage and post them on their Courage Web Site.	For more about Special #3 from Connecting Courage ~ Community ~ Computer, e-mail Lisa Vasallo, author and AT&T Teacher Disseminator.
Learning Standards Read, understand, and review four books and other selections in depth. Write personal reflections on the books and answer personal questions that emerge. Write about a particular period and experience in life that conveyed a strong impact and an unforgettable lesson.
Classroom Activities In preparing to write their own stories of courage, students: Review fiction and biographies read throughout the year. Discuss various ways to display courage in everyday life. Describe stories of courage in personal essays that reveal how they have dealt with sickness, sorrow, loss, danger, conflict, etc.	As an option, pair with older student-mentors who have experienced the Courage Curriculum and can act as peer editors. Enhance word processed essays with computer generated borders, clip art or personally scanned illustrations. Create a bulletin board of Courage in My Life essays and display prominently. Submit essays to a local competition.
Community Activities Students create a web site or create a links page to spread messages of courage and hope. They learn the importance of protecting personal information, i.e. names and addresses.	Careers Students discuss careers in publishing on the web or for traditional magazines: proofreaders, editors, copy editors, lay out artists, graphic artists, writers, etc.
Materials Selected books: Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson; So Far the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins; Number the Stars by Lois Lowry; Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildred Taylor; Taking Sides by Gary Soto; writing and bulletin board materials	Technology Students use ClarisWorks for essays, KidPix for art work, and a scanner for illustrations. They continue to research courage on the school web site.
Assessment Teachers and peer editors evaluate written essays and web site links.	Web Sites Students research courage essays at: the Timilty Home Page and Max Warburg Home Page