In this lesson, students watch the short film, "Mr. Happy Man" by Matt Morris, which documents the life of 88-year-old Johnny Barnes, whose intention is to help others be happy. Barnes spends six hours a day at a traffic intersection in the capital city of Hamilton, sharing positive affirmations to passers-by. In classroom discussion, students examine the nature of happiness in their own lives, whether happiness is a choice, and if – and how – happiness can be shared. Reflective writing prompts are also included for students to demonstrate their understanding of the story.
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