Each day assign students to research one of the eight senators identified by Senator Kennedy as exemplifying courage: 1) John Quincy Adams, 2) Thomas Hart Benson, 3) Daniel Webster, 4) Sam Houston, 5) Edmund Ross, 6) Lucius Quintus Cincinattus Lamar, 7) George Norris, and 8) Robert Taft.
Or, together as a class, read Profiles in Courage.
Once the research or reading of the text is complete, have a class discussion using the following questions:
1. Why did Senator Kennedy believe [each of the individuals discussed] was courageous?
2. Do you agree with Kennedy that [each of the individuals discussed] was courageous?
3. What characteristics must an individual display to be labeled as courageous?
4. What type of events must occur and what must be at risk for a person to act courageously?
Once students have compiled a list of characteristics of a courageous individual, have them read the essays of high school students who have won the Profiles in Courage essay contest, if students have access to the Internet. If students do not have access to the Internet, print, prior to class, some of the essays for students to read.
Upon completion of reading the winning essays, students will then write an essay about a current politician or another person that they believe is a profile in courage. Prior to writing these essays, explain the rules of the essay contest, making sure that students understand that if they do not write about a politician they will not be able to enter the official contest.
If students choose to write about a politician, the web sites below should be helpful in identifying courageous politicians.