Definition:

To be hopeful means to believe that something good can happen, even when it doesn’t look like it, or when it turns out differently than expected.

In short:

Believe that something good can happen.

Summary:

Jabari has high hopes to jump off the high diving board. He watches the other kids climb up the ladder and jump off. He starts up the ladder and then hesitates, after which he climbs down. His dad supports him, telling Jabari that it’s okay to be scared until you feel ready to be surprised by the new experience. When Jabari is ready, he jumps and then celebrates his success with his family. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. The teacher leads a discussion about risk taking, helping students to understand what was safe about Jabari’s way of doing something risky. Children learn about the difference between healthy and unhealthy risk taking. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Why do you think Jabari wants to jump off the high diving board? 
2. Why do you think he hesitates at first? 
3. How does Jabari’s dad help him? 
4. Do you think Jabari will want to try other new challenges after this one? Why or why not? 
5. Have you ever hesitated to try something new? What happened? 
6. When you were able to do something new that was difficult, what did you do to talk yourself into it? 
7. When Jabari looked down from the top of the board before he jumped, do you think he was scared? 
8. How did he feel after he jumped? 
9. Does it feel good when you can do something that is difficult? Share about an experience you had like that. 
10. Jamari’s dad believed his son could jump off the board and be safe. Do you think it’s okay to take a risk as long as your parents approve?