Babe (G)

Are you familiar with the plot of Babe.  Here’s a bit of background for you:
When an orphaned piglet finds itself on a farm with a collie for an adopted mother and a nervous duck for a friend, the adventures and the lessons begin. Even as the pig, Babe, helps a lonely farmer learn how to think in new ways, so an elderly sheep teaches Babe a thing or two about gaining respect by showing respect.

This 1995 film from MCA/Universal Pictures is directed by Chris Noonan and written by George Miller and Chris Noonan based on Dick King-Smith’s novel, “The Sheep Pig”. It is produced by Bill Miller, George Miller and Doug Mitchell and stars Christine Cavana, Miriam Margolyes, Hugo Weaving, James Cromwell, Miriam Flynn, Evelyn Krape and Roscoe Lee Brown.

• “They’re sheep.  They’re inferior.  Make them feel inferior.  Bend them to your will.”  What do you think about this statement?
• Can leaders sometimes be bullies?  If so, how?
• Have you ever seen someone show bad leadership?  What did that look like?  Can you respect a bad leader?
• What does it mean to gain respect by showing respect?
• Have you ever seen someone show good leadership?  What did that look like?  What did the person do?

In groups, think of ways that you could be a good leader.  How can you respectfully work with the group when they are not responding to your leadership?  How could you possibly use this film clip to set in motion a school wide discussion about these issues?  Have the group try to make-up a suggestion sheet of different techniques that help with being a good and respectful leader.