Share with students that the United Nations now recognizes the importance of happiness as a measure of global well-being. Since 2011, the U.N. has invited member countries to track the happiness of its citizens. The World Happiness Index measures happiness through six variables:

1. Money (spending power)
2. Health and life expectancy
3. Social support (having someone to count on)
4. Freedom to make life choices
5. Freedom from corruption
6. How generous one acts and feels

Ask students what they think about this list. Is there anything missing from this list that they feel should be recognized as an indicator of happiness? Ask students: What are some things that make them happy? Do students think happiness can be inspired and shared? If so, how?

Introduce the film by telling students they will be watching a film about Johnny Barnes, an 88-year-old native Bermudian man. Since 1986, Barnes has performed a daily ritual of standing on a street corner in Bermuda’s capital city of Hamilton. He shares positive affirmations to passers-bys.

Direct students to watch the film and ask them to take note of Barnes’ personality traits. Ask students to make a list of the comments that he says and the responses he gets from the people with whom he interacts.

• Make a list of the ideas and beliefs of Johnny Barnes that support his efforts to make others happy. (Some answers include: living a life of service, enjoying the beauty of nature, loving each other, and joy comes from helping others.)
• In the film, a radio host said, “a lot of people couldn’t understand why he would do what he’s doing.” In your own words, describe the motivation behind Johnny Barnes’ actions.
• What are three synonyms and three antonyms of the word “happiness”?
• One woman interviewed in the film explains that she did not want to look at Johnny Barnes when she was driving to work one morning because she wanted to “hold on to my unhappy moments.” Why might someone want to hold on to unhappy moments?
• If you could summarize what Johnny Barnes represents in one sentence, what would be your description?
• The Greater Good Science Center has collected research showing that people who are kind and generous toward others tend to be happy, and that happiness contributes to being kind and generous. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
• Do you think happiness is something one can work toward? If so, how?

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.)

• Is happiness a choice? This question is explored on Debate.org, a free online debate forum. Visit the website and read two arguments for “yes” and two arguments for “no”. In a paragraph, describe why you agree or disagree with one of the arguments. Use the film and your own experiences to support your point of view. (CCSS.ELA.SL.11-12.1.c)
• As portrayed in the film, a statue of Johnny Barnes was commissioned and erected at the Hamilton traffic circle in his honor. Imagine that you are chosen to write a plaque for the base of the statue. Create a one-sentence inscription honoring Johnny Barnes. In a paragraph, describe the reasoning behind your inscription. (C3.D2.Psy.2.9-12)
• Jane Goodall, educator and primatologist, says, “ I have many kinds of happiness. I’m completely happy when I’m alone in nature… I’m really happy when I sit around with friends in the evening, particularly around a campfire where we can tell stories… I’m totally happy when I’m walking with a dog. Dogs make me really, really, happy because you can just be yourself with a dog.”* Write a paragraph, similar to Goodall’s description. What are some things in your life that make you feel content and happy? Why? (CCSS.ELA.SL.9-10.1 and SL.11-12.1)

*Jane Goodall interviewed for the movie, “Human.”