Middle School and
High School Course

Course introduction

Rachel Scott was a normal high school junior. She was also the first victim of the first major school shooting in America at Columbine High School. After her death, her family started hearing story after story about how Rachel reached out to those in need at her school.  

Rachel deliberately reached out to the new kids at school. She reached out to students with special needs. And she reached out to those who were struggling. She didn’t do anything special or make a big deal about it. She just made a point of bringing hope and connection to the people she met. Her kind words and simple acts of kindness made a huge difference in other’s lives.

In an essay Rachel wrote one month before she was killed, she wrote, “I have this theory that if one person will go out of their way to show compassion, it will start a chain reaction of the same. People will never know how far a little kindness can go.”

Rachel believed it only takes “one person.” She knew we all matter and we all can make a difference. She demonstrated that if we’ll “go out of our way,” which simply means to be intentional or deliberate, to not just feel compassion, but show it with a kind word or small act of kindness, we will start a positive chain reaction that’ll make a big difference in the lives of the people around us.

The six videos in this course tell Rachel’s story. More importantly, along with the reflections, discussions, and activities in the accompanying workbook, they will show you how to share hope and connection with the people in your life. And give you insights on how to start your own positive chain reaction.

Instructions

This course consists of 6 video sessions and daily lessons which are contained in 6 workbooks. 

Each video session has a corresponding workbook. Educators have an educator workbook to work from, students have a student workbook to work from. 

The suggested weekly format is: 

Week 1: 

Day 1: Video One + Workbook lesson 

Day 2-5: Workbook lessons

Week 2: 

Day 1: Video two + Workbook lesson 

Day 2-5: Workbook lessons. 

And so on.