Activity Overview
As students read The Red Badge of Courage, they will notice that the first part of the novel deals with Henry’s overwhelming fear about deserting the fight when it comes to real battles. His fears are not unrealistic: he knows from veterans and seeing wounded soldiers that he could very well be maimed or killed. (Ironically, the only injury Henry receives in the whole novel is in a brief scuffle off of the battle field with another soldier.) One of Henry’s primary issues is that he feels he can’t share his fear with anyone to get help, so he bottles it up inside. Perhaps if he had been given solid advice, or just not felt so alone, he might not have deserted his regiment.
It may help students to identify with Henry by imagining their own worst fears and coming up with an action plan for how to overcome that fear if they are ever faced with it. They can document this in a storyboard like the one below, and share in groups or present to the class. They may be surprised to find out how many of their classmates share the same fear, and there might be great suggestions for how to deal with it!
Overcoming Fear Assignment Example
My Fear: I’m running for class president, but I am afraid of making my speech in front of the entire school next week.
Strategy #1 Practicing beforehand several times creates memories in your muscles that will help you when you actually get up to speak. Your voice will remember what to emphasize, and you’ll already know how to place your hands or stand.
Strategy #2: Don’t make eye contact with anyone; instead, look over their heads, just above their eye level. That way, you don’t get distracted by people’s facial expressions.
Strategy #3: Make the font on the page really large, and only fill each page about halfway down. This way you can look up often and you won’t rely on looking down as much. Also, number the pages so if you drop them, you can quickly put them back in order!
Strategy #4: Enlist the help of a friend or family member to listen and give suggestions. They can even record you so you can already see and hear what the audience will see and hear. That way there will be no surprises!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write your fear in the the top header.
- Explain your fear in the description box.
- In the rest of the description boxes, write out some strategies that you could use to help you overcome your fear.
- Add illustrations for each, using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
As students read The Red Badge of Courage, they will notice that the first part of the novel deals with Henry’s overwhelming fear about deserting the fight when it comes to real battles. His fears are not unrealistic: he knows from veterans and seeing wounded soldiers that he could very well be maimed or killed. (Ironically, the only injury Henry receives in the whole novel is in a brief scuffle off of the battle field with another soldier.) One of Henry’s primary issues is that he feels he can’t share his fear with anyone to get help, so he bottles it up inside. Perhaps if he had been given solid advice, or just not felt so alone, he might not have deserted his regiment.
It may help students to identify with Henry by imagining their own worst fears and coming up with an action plan for how to overcome that fear if they are ever faced with it. They can document this in a storyboard like the one below, and share in groups or present to the class. They may be surprised to find out how many of their classmates share the same fear, and there might be great suggestions for how to deal with it!
Overcoming Fear Assignment Example
My Fear: I’m running for class president, but I am afraid of making my speech in front of the entire school next week.
Strategy #1 Practicing beforehand several times creates memories in your muscles that will help you when you actually get up to speak. Your voice will remember what to emphasize, and you’ll already know how to place your hands or stand.
Strategy #2: Don’t make eye contact with anyone; instead, look over their heads, just above their eye level. That way, you don’t get distracted by people’s facial expressions.
Strategy #3: Make the font on the page really large, and only fill each page about halfway down. This way you can look up often and you won’t rely on looking down as much. Also, number the pages so if you drop them, you can quickly put them back in order!
Strategy #4: Enlist the help of a friend or family member to listen and give suggestions. They can even record you so you can already see and hear what the audience will see and hear. That way there will be no surprises!
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Write your fear in the the top header.
- Explain your fear in the description box.
- In the rest of the description boxes, write out some strategies that you could use to help you overcome your fear.
- Add illustrations for each, using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about The Red Badge of Courage Connection: Overcoming Fear
Engage students in connecting historical context to personal fears
Help students see that fears are shaped by their surroundings by discussing the Civil War era’s challenges and relating them to modern-day anxieties. This builds empathy and deepens understanding of Henry’s choices.
Model creating a personal fear-action storyboard for your class
Walk through your own example fear and action plan on the board so students see how to break down worries and brainstorm solutions. Modeling vulnerability encourages participation and honest reflection.
Guide students to brainstorm supportive strategies in small groups
Have students share their fears with trusted peers and work together to list practical ways to face them. Collaboration boosts confidence and sparks creative problem-solving.
Incorporate storyboarding tools or templates for visual learners
Provide graphic organizers or digital storyboard platforms so students can illustrate their fear, action steps, and outcomes. Visual mapping supports comprehension and engagement.
Facilitate a safe, supportive sharing session
Invite volunteers to present their storyboards and celebrate their courage in facing fears. Positive feedback fosters classroom trust and resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Red Badge of Courage Connection: Overcoming Fear
What is the main lesson about overcoming fear in The Red Badge of Courage?
The Red Badge of Courage teaches that facing your fears and sharing them with others can help you overcome them. By acknowledging fear rather than hiding it, individuals like Henry can find support and develop strategies to move forward.
How can students relate to Henry’s fears in The Red Badge of Courage?
Students can connect with Henry’s fears by identifying their own anxieties and creating action plans to address them. Activities like storyboarding fears or group discussions help students see they are not alone and encourage sharing helpful coping strategies.
What are some effective classroom activities to help students overcome fear?
Effective activities include storyboarding personal fears, brainstorming strategies, group sharing, and practicing presentations together. These methods promote empathy, build confidence, and provide practical tools for managing fear.
Why is it important for students to share their fears with others?
Sharing fears helps students realize they are not alone, receive advice, and gain emotional support. This open communication can reduce anxiety and encourage problem-solving, much like Henry might have benefited from in the novel.
What are practical strategies students can use to overcome fear of public speaking?
Practical strategies include practicing speeches, avoiding direct eye contact, using large-font notes, numbering pages, and seeking feedback from friends or family. These steps boost confidence and reduce anxiety during presentations.
More Storyboard That Activities
Red Badge of Courage, The
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
