The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special
From Sesame Street · 2020
Summary
Elmo, Abby, and their friends learn what it means to be an "upstander" -- to notice when someone is being treated unfairly and to speak up with kindness. Through songs and stories with special guests, the special invites children to stand up for one another and for what's fair.
Viewer safety
Gently discusses being treated unfairly and standing up for others in a warm, hopeful tone; a quick preview helps if this is new for your class.
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
An "upstander" is someone who notices unfairness and speaks up kindly.
- What does it mean to be fair? Give an example from our class.
- In the special, how did the friends help when someone was treated unfairly?
- What is a kind thing you could say if you saw someone being left out?
- Why is it easier to stand up for what's right when we do it together?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: fair, unfair, upstander, kind, include.
Try it: Practice one "upstander" sentence you could really say, like "That's not fair -- let's include everyone." Then draw a time you helped someone feel welcome.