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Touching Lives

Soul Surfer
The objective of this activity is for the kids to get the most out of the movie; to make sure
they are following the events and that they learn the valuable lessons taught through it. At
the same time, they will be gaining new vocabulary and work on their listening and reading
abilities. The movie should be watched in English with English subtitles. The activities are
aimed to kids with a pre-intermediate English level.
Our suggestion is that you stop the movie in the different segments in which we have
divided it for the students to fully understand what is happening. Answers are in red for you
to have as an answer key. If you are going to use this same file for them, please erase them
or paint them back in black.
Please make sure that your students know that this is a movie based on a true story and
that they watch the real-life Bethany footage shown right when the movie finishes.

Common Sense Media recommends this movie for kids +10:

Parents need to know that this inspiring true story about a promising young surfer who
was attacked by a shark could give tween and teen viewers lots to think about -- from
trying to figure out their purpose in life (even at a young age) to trying to come to
terms with adversity. With the exception of the attack itself -- which, although quick,
unfolds in a gory, violent manner -- the movie is squeaky clean, with no iffy language,
sex, or drinking/drugs content. And the main character is an extremely positive role
model, responding to tragedy with grace and kindness instead of bitterness. (taken
from www.commonsensemedia.org)

At CI we promote character education by means of a community circle:

Students sit down in a circle so that nobody gives their back to any body and everyone can share
their thoughts and comments about their own experiences or emotions. The main purpose is to offer
a moment and a space for students to talk about their worries, feelings and thoughts; a "bonding
opportunity."
Teachers role: avoid that of a preacher; at this moment you are not supposed to give advice if
nobody asks for it. This is a great opportunity to connect with your students and build up synergy
among them.
Talking about characters in stories or movies, identifying feelings and emotions, etc., will be a good
beginning to start building up a safe environment in which they do not feel exposed or threatened.
Again, the main objective should be to offer a bonding opportunity in which they can talk about
compassion or even think of actions such as planning a Compassion Campaign in the institution, for
example.
Remember the old Chinese Proverb: Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll
understand.

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PART 1: Perspective (0:00:00 0:14:37)

Just as Sarah does with the kids, pause the movie and ask your students what they think
those things she shows on T.V. are: a fly and a walnut. Then ask them these 3 questions.
1) According to what Sarah says, when can it be hard to make sense of things?
When youre looking at them from too close.
2) What does Sarah recommend the group to do if they are going through a difficult
situation?
To get a new perspective
3) Why cant Bethany go to Mexico to volunteer at the orphanage?
Because she needs to train now that she is sponsored
PART 2: Bethanys passion (0:14:37 0:21:47)
It is really important that you stop the video at 0:21:47 before the kids see the attack.
Questions to ask:
1) What is the main characters name? Bethany Hamilton
Where does she live? In Hawaii
What is she really good at? Surfing
Do you think she has the potential to become a professional surfer?
Do Bethany and her friend Alana go to school or are they homeschooled? Why? They
are homeschooled so that they can train.
What do you think Bethany cant live without? Surfing
2) What feelings and qualities can you perceive in Bethany and Alana? Choose from the
list:
Happy, bored, excited, committed, sad, lonely, energetic, insecure, passionate.
PART 3: The attack and Bethany in the hospital (0:21:47 0:33:00)
a. Put events in order:
-

The girls are on their surfboards talking about what bathing suit they will wear for the
photo shoot. (1)
Alanas brother goes to the shore and calls 911 (4)
Alanas dad tells Bethany that she was very brave when the shark attack happened.
(6)
Bethanys dad tells her that she will be able to surf soon because she can do all
things through Him who gives her strength. (8)
The ambulance takes Bethany to the hospital. (5)
Alana, her dad, and her brother take Bethany to the reef. (3)
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A shark bites off Bethanys left arm (2)

The doctor tells Bethany that there are only a few things she wont be able to do
anymore. (7)

Father and daughter scene.

a. Bethanys dad tells her she can do all things through Him who gives her strength. Think
of a difficult moment in your life in which you felt you had no strength. It may be a loss in
your family, a divorce, a disease, a fight with your friends, a difficult situation in school, etc.
Where can you get strength from?
b. Choose one of the two options
After talking with her dad, Bethany appears to be feeling..
Hopeful / hopeless
Sad / happy
PART 4: Dialogue with Sarah (0:43:40 0:45:47)
Listening: fill in the blanks.
-

Bethany: you know how you said its hard to look at things ___________ sometimes
when you are too __________? clearly, close
Sarah: Mhm
Bethany: well, Ive been trying to get some ____________. Ive been really trying.
Sarah, how can this be Gods _____________ for me? I dont understand. perspective,
plan
Sarah: I dont know why ______________ things happen to us sometimes, but I have to
______________ that something _______________ is going to come out of this. terrible,
believe, good

b. Choose one of the two adjectives

Before talking with Sarah, Bethany feels:
Confused / secure
Hopeful/ hopeless
After talking with Sarah, Bethany feels:
Encouraged / discouraged
Hopeful / hopeless
PART 5: Bethany is back in the water (0:45:47 1:10:18)
a. Fill in the blanks
Before Bethany starts to train for regionals her dad says to her:
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Dad: Its not going to be ___________ easy

Bethany: I dont need ___________, I just need _____________ easy, possible
Dad: With you, ___________ is _____________. anything, possible
b. Why do you think her dad believes that anything is possible with her?
c. Judges want to give Bethany a 5-minute advantage in the competition. Does she accept
it? No
d. Choose the correct option.
Bethany gets angry at Alana because:
Alana didnt win
Alana was disqualified
Alana didnt treat her like real competition
Bethany gives her surfboards to her fans because:
They asked Bethany to give them her surfboards
She doesnt believe she will compete anymore
They are broken

Part 6: Trip to Thailand (1:10:18 1:18:26)

a. Fill in the blanks:
Sarah tells Bethany: Dont be sorry for ___________, Bethany. It can move us to do
___________ things. And it can help you get a new ______________ compassion, amazing,
perspective
Bethany says: who wouldve thought that teaching a kid to ___________ would teach me that
___________ isnt the most important thing in the world. And that something else is:
____________. Bigger than any tidal wave. More ______________ than any _____________ surf,
surfing, love, powerful, fear
b. Choose one option.
Bethany got a new perspective after she:
Stayed in her house crying because she couldnt surf anymore.
Helped people in need.
Became famous.

Part 7: Back in Hawaii (1:18:26 1:43:00)

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a. Why does Bethany decide to compete again after coming back from Thailand?
Because her mom and dad told her to.
Because she wants to have more fans.
Because she realized she is inspiring other people by doing it.
b. Bethanys main problem in her last competition was that she couldnt duck dive.
To duck dive is to push one's surfboard underwater nose-first, to get the surfer and board
under a wave that has broken or is just about to break. How did her dad help her with that?
He put a rope in a surf board so that she could grab it from there.
c. What does Bethany do to get ready for the competition? Mark the correct options with an
X
She
She
She
She
She
She

watches T.V.
runs
does sit-ups
drinks vitamins
does push-ups
goes to the gym

d. Why does Malina share her prize with Bethany?

Because Bethany is a very tough opponent and because the last wave did count for her.
e. Fill in the blanks.
Reporter: if you could go back to that day, and not have gone ___________, would you do it?
surfing
Bethany: I wouldnt change what happened to ___________, because then I wouldnt have
this __________ in front of all of you. This chance to embrace more ___________than I ever
could have with two __________. me, chance, people, arms
Bethany: and Ive learned that __________ is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the
impact zone, you need to get right back _________ because you never know whats over the
next wave. And if you have __________, anything is _________. Anything at all. life, up, faith,
possible
Discussion questions:
1. You were created with unique talents and abilities. What are you good at? Think of
sports, music, dancing, drawing, writing, etc.
2. Bethanys passion is surfing. What is YOUR passion?

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3. Bethany uses her talents and passion to help and inspire other people. List 3 ways in
which you can use your talents and passion to help others.
4. Bethany didnt know what Gods plan was for her after the shark attack. How did she
get a new perspective?
5. Write down what is the biggest lesson you have learned from Bethany.