Soul Surfer Movie Guide with Discussion Questions, Activities & Worksheets

Soul Surfer Movie Guide is a complete lesson plan with discussion questions, writing activities, and leadership worksheets.

This resource helps teachers use the inspiring story of Bethany Hamilton to demonstrate the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and find purpose beyond life's challenges.

What educators are saying:

"My SEL students loved watching the film and the questions were great!"

-Kaitlin H. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"This was a great packet to go with the movie."

-Deanna T. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WARNING: This is a DEEP LEARNING lesson plan to help students employ a LEADERSHIP approach to SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL LEARNING.

This lesson plan will encourage students to connect with the movie on a personal level and apply its themes to their own lives.

Teachers can use the questions, worksheets, and activities to help students foster critical thinking, character growth, and leadership skills.

***RECENTLY UPDATED TO INCLUDE***

✳️ Additional Analysis questions to keep students engaged.

✳️ Time stamps

✳️ Answer Key

✳️ Fillable PDF version

✳️ Google Form version

The activities in Soul Surfer Movie Guide will challenge students to move closer to mastery in the following skills:

1. leadership
2. cooperation with others
3. creativity
4. critical thinking
5. emotional intelligence
6. problem-solving
7. judgment and decision-making

Each of our Leadership at the Movies lesson plans includes the following activities:

✅ Reflection: allows students to journal about one of the movie's themes prior to watching.

✅ Analysis: questions and prompts to analyze the characters, plot, and climax of the movie.

✅ Practice & Discussion: a partner/group activity that takes the principles of the movie and asks students to take action and grow in their own lives.

✅ Extension: a RAFT (Role-Audience-Format-Topic) writing prompt to help students apply their new knowledge.

✅ Lead for Impact: challenges students to pinpoint how the hero of the story exhibited The 12 Fundamentals of Impact and then synthesize how they can apply the lessons to writing their own story.

⚠ This is a DIGITAL ACTIVITY, allowing teachers to assign the work through Google Classroom via TpT Easel and students digitally enter their responses.

⚠ A link to a GOOGLE FORM version of the resource is included as well.

⚠ Teachers may also DOWNLOAD the PDF and distribute copies to students.

⚠ In addition, a FILLABLE PDF is included for teachers to use as a digital assignment.

⚠ Includes TIME STAMPS to help teachers know when to pause the film if necessary.

⚠ An ANSWER KEY is included to help ensure students get the most out of the learning experience.

These activities are designed to help students meet the following Social & Emotional Learning Competencies as outlined by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL):

❇️ Develop SELF-AWARENESS and SELF-MANAGEMENT skills to achieve school and life success.

❇️ Use SOCIAL-AWARENESS and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.

❇️ Demonstrate DECISION-MAKING skills and responsible behaviors in personal, school, and community contexts.

Movie Synopsis

Bethany Hamilton is a talented and passionate young surfer growing up in Hawaii. Her dream of becoming a professional surfer is within reach when, at the age of 13, she suffers a devastating shark attack that results in the loss of her left arm.

Despite the traumatic incident, Bethany's determination and love for surfing remain unwavering. With the support of her family, particularly her parents and best friend, Bethany embarks on an incredible journey of recovery and resilience.

With a specially designed surfboard and a newfound sense of purpose, Bethany returns to the water to pursue her dream of becoming a professional surfer. Along the way, she inspires others with her courage and tenacity, becoming a symbol of hope and overcoming adversity.

Click HERE to learn more about Bethany Hamilton.

*This lesson plan is intended to be used with the movie Soul Surfer and not the book (although the book may be a good supplemental reference).

Movie Rating: PG (for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material)

Movie Run Time: 1 hour, 46 minutes (watch the official trailer)

Grade Levels: 6th-12th

Ideal Classes: Character Education, Life Skills, Leadership, Career Development, English Language Arts, Youth Groups, Sports Teams

Soul Surfer Movie Guide helps students extract lessons from the heroic story of Bethany Hamilton guided by the following themes:

• Resilience and Determination: The central theme revolves around Bethany's remarkable resilience and determination to overcome the challenges posed by the shark attack. Her refusal to be defined by her disability serves as an inspiration.

• Family and Support: The film emphasizes the importance of family and support systems during times of adversity. Bethany's family, particularly her parents, plays a crucial role in helping her navigate the physical and emotional challenges of her journey.

• Faith and Belief: Bethany's deep faith is a recurring theme in the movie. Her unwavering belief in God and her spirituality provide her with strength and guidance as she faces the difficulties of her new reality.

• Self-Discovery: The film explores Bethany's journey of self-discovery as she redefines her identity and purpose after the shark attack. It delves into her evolving understanding of herself beyond being a surfer.

• Inspiration and Role Modeling: Soul Surfer is a story of inspiration, showing how Bethany's resilience and achievements become a source of hope and motivation for others facing challenges.

Soul Surfer Movie Guide is also part of the following bundles:

• Popular Sports Movie Guides Bundle
• Female Hero Movie Guides Growing Bundle
• Middle School Leadership Movie Guides Growing Bundle
• Leadership Lessons Movie Guides MEGA Bundle (access to all 85 of our movie guides PLUS any we add in the future!)

Are you looking for daily journal prompts to help teenage students reach their full potential? Journal Writing Prompts for High School is the resource you need to provide your students with the tools to develop the confidence and character to live for impact!

Check out all our STUDENT LEADERSHIP RESOURCES at jonbarthleadership.com