teacher resources – Tracie Joy

Lead or Follow? Case File #7 The Pursuit of Happyness – Responsible Ambition Under Pressure

Tracie — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 19:39:23 +0000

The Pursuit of Happyness – Responsible Ambition Under Pressure

A new look at The Pursuit of Happyness. What happens when ambition affects more than just the person pursuing it?

This case study from the Lead or Follow? program uses The Pursuit of Happyness to explore the tension between perseverance, responsibility, and risk. Students examine whether long-term vision remains admirable when others share the consequences.

This is not a movie worksheet.
It is a structured leadership lab.

Core Focus

Students commit to a position before viewing The Pursuit of Happyness.
They test their thinking through scenario-based dilemmas.
They build a philosophical lens.
They analyze leadership decisions and consequences.
They revisit and defend their position using evidence.

The goal is not to decide whether a character is “right” or “wrong.”
The goal is to define where ambition crosses the line — and support that belief with reasoning.

What’s Included

Complete Teacher Guide (5-module structure)
Structured debate framework
Scenario-based pre-viewing dilemmas
Student Commitment Sheet
Lens-Building Activity
Film Analysis Trackers (Structured, Guided, and Open formats)
Final Reflection Activity
Debate Rubric

You will receive:

• Teacher Guide in DOCX and PDF formats
• Student Materials in DOCX and PDF formats

Everything is editable and classroom-ready.

Designed For

Grades 9–12
4–6 class periods

Perfect for leadership courses, character education, film electives, advisory, or secondary ELA/social studies classrooms.

About the Lead or Follow? Program

The Lead or Follow? series uses film-based case studies to explore leadership, character, and decision-making. Each case file follows a consistent, structured format that builds critical thinking, discussion skills, and evidence-based reasoning.

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Time Traveler Project

Tracie — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:17:25 +0000

Welcome to your year-long journey through U.S. History! In this project, you will become a time traveler, visiting key moments in American history from the Colonial era to the present day. Your mission is to observe, research, and document what life was like during each time period. Each entry in your Time Traveler’s Journal will combine creative storytelling with historical research, and you will complete a final reflection essay at the end of the year.

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Nation Builders

Tracie — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:06:45 +0000

Students will create a fictional country, draft a constitution inspired by the U.S. Constitution, and establish branches of government with defined roles, terms, and responsibilities.

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Journey Through Time: A School Year of World History

Tracie — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:29:02 +0000

Journey Through Time: A School Year of World History.

Guide students through significant global events, themes, and turning points in history, fostering analytical and critical thinking.

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Echoes of Stone: Reconstructing Prehistoric Life

Tracie — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 23:22:08 +0000

Echoes of Stone: Reconstructing Prehistoric Life

Students will explore the lives of prehistoric humans by creating a museum exhibit that showcases the evolution of early humans, their survival strategies, technological advances, and cultural development. Students will work individually or in pairs to design an exhibit that includes visuals, artifacts (real or replicated), and written components to demonstrate understanding of the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic eras.

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