Ask students to define the word resilience. What does resilience mean to them? Share this Merriam Webster dictionary definition of resilience with students: "the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens." Ask students to name some synonyms for resilience. Some include, strong, tough, hardy, irrepressible, and buoyant.

Historical figures who have embodied resilience include Anne Frank, who kept a positive spirit while hiding from German soldiers during World War II, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela, all of whom overcame great obstacles and personal suffering to become global leaders. Fictional heroes in literature and film who have exhibited resilience include Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, Jane Eyre, Rocky, Little Orphan Annie, Katniss from The Hunger Games, and Mark Watney, the astronaut abandoned on Mars, from The Martian.

Ask students to think of their favorite character—either fictional or real—who fought against the odds to overcome obstacles. What motivated them to keep going? What inspires students to persevere through their own difficulties?

Introduce the film by telling students that they will be watching a film about a disabled man living in a small mountain town in Honduras. The film, Everything is Incredible, is a story about a man who has faced serious challenges in his life, including being born into poverty and becoming paralyzed from polio. Since 1958, Agustin has dedicated his life to building a helicopter out of used materials. His aim, as he says, is to "prove to the world that I'm not crazy."

Ask students to watch the film while making note of specific aspects of Agustin's everyday life that they would find challenging. What keeps Agustin motivated for the future? What emotions, attitudes, or words reflect his resilience?

After viewing the film, lead a discussion with such questions as:

• How many years has Agustin been working on his helicopter?
• What is the helicopter made from? Where does Agustin get the parts for his helicopter?
• Agustin said, "The whole world thinks I'm just crazy." What are the various opinions about Agustin's work as expressed by community members? Why might people have different reactions to his work? Do you think he is "crazy"? Why or why not?
• The film depicts Agustin's commitment towards building the helicopter. The priest in the film suggests that Agustin has paid a price. What are your thoughts about Agustin's commitment to his helicopter? What might the helicopter provide Agustin, and what might it cost him?
• What could be some character traits, or internal attitudes, which have helped Agustin remain positive and forward-looking despite his obstacles of poverty and illness? Does creativity play a role in Agustin's resilience? If so, how?
• One community member interviewed in the film described that working on the helicopter could have kept Agustin alive all these years. What do you think this person means?
• What might the helicopter symbolize for Agustin?

Give students one of the following reflective writing prompts to demonstrate their understanding of the story. (Note for teachers: Just as quotes from a book or text are used to prove an analytical thought, students use the film to justify their reasoning.)

1. The title of the film is taken from Agustin's statement, "The problem is that everything is incredible and people don't accept it." What do you think Agustin means by this statement? Write a paragraph responding to the following questions: How does this statement relate to Agustin's life, his disability, and his efforts to build a helicopter and fly? Why might the filmmaker have chosen this statement as the film's title? (CCSS.ELA.SL.11-12.1.c)
2. The great American novelist, Ernest Hemingway, once wrote, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places." How might one's character strengthen after being broken by the world? Describe a real person, or fictional character from a book or film, who endured obstacles and became stronger. What strengths were gained? Do you notice any similarities between this character and Agustin? If so, what? (C3.D2.Geo.4.9-12)
3. In an interview, Tyler Bastian, filmmaker of Everything is Incredible, explains, "Agustin is an obscure man that lives in a remote part of Honduras. If I had not ran into him and taken the time to look, his story would have always remained untold. Everyday we run into individuals that are just as amazing as Agustin, in their own way. We merely have to be looking. I am inspired by these obscure amazing stories." Write a paragraph describing an individual—either real or imagined—that you think is "amazing" or "obscure." Describe this person's characteristics. What makes him/her different? What do you find amazing about this person? Why? (CCSS.ELA.W.9-10.3 and W.11-12.3)