Activity: Sara Bareilles - Brave | Cover by One Voice Children's Choir

Students listen to the video and discuss how important it is to speak up when there’s something that really needs attention: “I want to see you be brave” and  “Say what you want to say” are lyrics in the chorus that deliver the central message about being brave.They memorize the chorus and sing along. 

Materials needed: the video; a chart with the lyrics (see below)

Directions: Introduce the activity as a message about bravery. Explain that sometimes we see or experience something that is difficult to talk about. We may hesitate, and not say anything, or we can speak up, and get help. Give a couple of examples (a friend is in trouble, or you’re being bullied). Ask students to share their own examples.  Show the video, and tell the class to listen carefully to the lyrics. Present the chart with the lyrics and tell students to read along with you, pausing to discuss what the songwriter is trying to say. Play the video again, and ask students to sing along. 

Wrap it up: Explain: “When we see or experience something that is wrong or too big for us to handle alone, we need to speak up and get help. I hope you can turn to a family member, a teacher, or coach if that happens. I will always be a good listener, and will help you with whatever you need. Let’s be there for one another, okay?”

Brave

Song by

Sara Bareilles

You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do

And they settle 'neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you (3 times)

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you (3 times)

I wanna see you be brave

Everybody's been there

Everybody's been stared down, by the enemy

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing

Bow down to the mighty

Don't run, stop holding your tongue

Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

Innocence, your history of silence

Won't do you any good

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don't you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you (3 times)

I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you (3 times)

See you be brave

I just wanna see you (6 times)