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The Spirit of St. Louis: Charles Lindbergh and Courage

45 min

Walk-In-The-Shoes Questions
As you read, imagine you are the protagonist.

  • What challenges are you facing?
  • What fears or concerns might you have?
  • What may prevent you from acting in the way you ought?

Observation Questions

  • Charles Lindbergh stated, “My early flying seemed an experience beyond mortality. There was the earth spreading out below me, a planet where I had lived but from which I had astonishingly risen.” What does this statement tell you about his identity?
  • What was Lindbergh’s purpose in flying across the Atlantic solo?
  • Why was Lindbergh willing to risk his life in attempting to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean?

Discussion Questions
Discuss the following questions with your students.

  • What is the historical context of the narrative?
  • What historical circumstances presented a challenge to the protagonist?
  • How and why did the individual exhibit a moral and/or civic virtue in facing and overcoming the challenge?
  • How did the exercise of the virtue benefit civil society?
  • How might exercise of the virtue benefit the protagonist?
  • What might the exercise of the virtue cost the protagonist?
  • Would you react the same under similar circumstances? Why or why not?
  • How can you act similarly in your own life? What obstacles must you overcome in order to do so?
  • Students will analyze Charles Lindbergh’s courageous actions on the Spirit of St. Louis.
  • Students will determine ways in which they can act with courage in their own lives.
  • Students will assess the effects of courageous behavior.

Student Handouts