Students will make appropriate choices about the right way to act.

This lesson helps students think about the thoughts and feelings they may experience on the first day of school, and their desire to be accepted by peers.

Students will identify and partner with a charity to provide food items within their community.

After reading the book Zero by Kathryn Otoshi (KO Kids Books, 2010), students will discuss what it means to be valued.

Students will work with peers and teacher to set goals for greater character development throughout the school year.

Students will research and discuss the chosen issue, finding a way that they believe they can make a difference.

To help students understand the need to treat others they way they would like to be treated, students will listen to the read aloud Do Unto Otters.

Students will evaluate traits that make good friends and write how he or she can be a better friend.

An invaluable bond is formed between tutors and students, thus fostering the community spirit upon which our school is based.

Students will be able to demonstrate role playing and the ability to cooperatively discuss solutions.

An opportunity for students to brainstorm ways they can show Core Values during the year at both home and school

Science Discovery Day is a ‘Buddy’ activity. Fifth grade tribes (teams of students working together) have the opportunity to develop a science lesson for their third grade buddies targeting a simple science concept. Tribes are required to prepare a lesson outline, a hands-on activity, worksheets, and assessments.

After reflecting on the many ways students have helped around their home, students will create individual number stories. Stories will be created, illustrated, and shared.

Project Linus is an organization that provides comfort to children who are sick and in the hospital through collecting blankets from “blanketeers.” Students act as “blanketeers” by creating blankets to donate through Project Linus.

The children’s classic The Ugly Duckling is an excellent read aloud to prompt discussions on caring, empathy, tolerance, and respect.

The student will demonstrate that being a good citizen includes taking responsibility for certain classroom chores, taking care of personal belongings, respecting the property of others, following the rules at home, school, and in the community

Students will discuss a story about a girl who had a goal, realized she had some obstacles that might prevent her from reaching it, and found a way to achieve her goal anyway.

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals: respect for others guides our manners.” Lawrence Sterne

Students will read a biography, then present the information learned in a "wax museum" format.

In this lesson, students will discuss community workers and how their jobs better our community.

Students will discuss story setting, character traits, and goal setting.

Students will define the meaning of The Declaration of Independence and why this document is important to our country.

Students and teachers will learn more about bullying and how to stop it in their schools.

Students will understand and use strategies for deciding who goes first or who chooses a game/activity.

This lesson will help students understand the concept of body language and personal space.

Students will learn the importance of good sportsmanship.

In this lesson students learn about and practice good choices they can make, using the book 26 Big Things Small Hands Do.

This lesson is the first grade’s kick-off activity for the Pillar of Honesty. Children need to understand that being honest does not come easy; it is hard work.

In this lesson each student will think about what they can do when they observe or witness an incident of name-calling or bullying, but are not being called names or bullied themselves.

Students will transition between four stations to experience a day in the life of an immigrant arriving at Ellis Island.

Students will learn about empathy. Students will learn to take responsibility for their mistakes when they happen and to learn from them. Students will learn to think before they speak and act.

The goal of this project is to have Flat Tiger travel all over the country and report back to us on how other children and their families “Walk the Talk.”

As a family, students write a caring letter or thank you note to a selected support staff person. The note or letter will be displayed in the school.

Students have a reading incentive during March - Reading Month. Also, they discuss core values with their families, making the values more widely known.

Using Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an example, students will learn about bullying and how to prevent it.

Students will investigate and illustrate the definition of courage as being brave enough to do what you should, even when you are afraid.

Students will perform an act of kindness, then draw a picture and write a sentence about that act for the class quilt.

Students connect each month's character trait to actions performed by characters in our read aloud books.

Each student will serve his or her parent lunch, using the pre-determined language appropriate for a server, as a thank you for all their support for the school year.

Students sold these shoes by the pound or donated to those who needed them. Then the money was used to buy well-digging rigs for countries where clean water is scarce.

Students will practice persuasive writing as they try to solve a problem that they have encountered at school, home, or in their community.

Students will find relevant facts about Japan and the earthquake that took place in March 2011 to share with the entire school community.

Students will create a recipe that summarizes the character traits that are needed to be a friend.

Students will discuss Elmer’s similarities and differences when compared with all of the other elephants. Students will discuss their own similarities and differences and will celebrate those differences together.

Students will use a variety of anti-bullying strategies that may be practiced at some point in all areas of the school building.

This lesson is to teach children the history of the American Flag. They will have a deeper respect for the American Flag and for those who designed and sewed the Flag.

Students will understand the impact that hurtful words can have on their classmates’ feelings, and will instead use kind words and treat others’ hearts in a caring manner.

Students will use online resources and through class discussion, students will apply their knowledge of the parts of speech to develop a Mad Lib story.

Students will write a friendly letter to a family or community member thanking them for taking part in the community blood drive.

Students will understand that good readers can use key quotes and sayings to help them understand the thinking and get inside the mind of the main characters, which helps us to gain a deeper insight.

Through a story and some fun, meaningful activities students will learn about the concept of “bucket-filling” and will have the opportunity to practice it in the classroom. Overall, it will help to build unity among classmates and peers.

Fifth and second grade buddies learn about the number of homeless people in the surrounding community and the possible hardships they face. These students are empowered through knowledge to explore ways they can help the homeless in the community.

I use this lesson to set up expectations for reflective behavior in our classroom for the year. We then keep blank reflection sheets for the students to use when they must take a “time out.” Students must fill it out the sheet before they can return to the regular activity.

This activity will help students understand the right to be themselves, and others’ rights. Students will discuss differences and similarities, and why it is important to be accepting.

To infuse values and cultural awareness into the curriculum, the principal and school staff developed “Kindness is Contagious.” The program promotes kindness, which leads to students developing respect for themselves and others.

Every student writes a personalized letter and draws a picture for every child in his or her class and every child receives a personalized letter and picture from every student in his or her class. This is a great way to conclude the school year. The students truly know one another by year’s end, which adds depth and sincerity to each letter.

By identifying what constitutes “virtuous” behavior and exploring it in the lives of others, in this lesson through characters in literature, students begin to examine their own actions and determine if they are behaving in a virtuous manner.

The purpose of this lesson is to create a caring school community where students, parents, teachers, and guests at the school feel welcome, respected, appreciated and valued.

Students listen to a story read aloud, thinking and reflecting about instances in the story where someone was wronged, was unfairly treated, or was not treated respectfully.

Students will reach out to the local community by performing holiday songs with movements at a local nursing home.

Students put both hands on the child’s shoulders ahead of them. If the music is fast, the group should move quickly; if slow, they move slowly. When the music stops, all freeze. If a “dragon” or group breaks, they must sit down quietly. If two “dragons” touch each other at any time, they both sit down.

Students are “trained” to look at characters through different eyes – eyes that can distinguish words and actions that promote good character and those that don’t. Through the character report card, core values become internalized as part of their education and part of their lives.

Through this lesson, students will research a person of character and write a report on that person. Once the report is written, students will transform the information into a first-person speech. At the Wax Museum, each student will dress up as their chosen person of character and will “come to life” and speak to visitors as that person.

Patricia Polacco’s Mr. Lincoln’s Way provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to introduce the topic of respect.

This series of activities will help children to become familiar with other cultures and learn that people all over the world have things in common.

Students use their knowledge of democratic principles to create a fictional presidential candidate, run a campaign for election, participate in a political convention and presidential debate, and vote for president.

This purpose of this lesson is to build a caring community within a classroom. The lesson will encourage students to identify their unique talents, abilities, and strengths and thereby increase self-confidence.

By examining themes in literature as well as the actions of characters in fiction and persons in non-fiction, students can observe character in action.

Laurence Anholt’s Camille and the Sunflowers provides an excellent way to introduce a discussion about feelings and ways to care about others.

"Singing for the Animals" service project provided an opportunity for students to make a difference in their community by raising money to help the county's homeless animals.

Students should be aware of what the value of sharing means in the classroom.

The learner will name community jobs/helpers, define responsibility and identify responsible behavior.

Respect, Helpful, Discussion, Unity, Improvement, responsibility.

The children’s classic The Ugly Duckling is an excellent read aloud to prompt discussions on caring, empathy, tolerance, and respect.

Students will learn about civility and compassion by creating a poster to spread inspiration about kindness with their community.

DENS (developing, educating and nurturing students) are cross-grade-level community meetings. This den, advisory, or classroom activity becomes a service project.

At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to define perseverance.

In this lesson, students explore the environmental issue of excess garbage and how recycling can help reduce the amounts of garbage in landfills.

In this lesson, students will discuss jobs adults do at their school and why it is important to show respect to all workers.

By working with a local food pantry, students examine the essential question, “Are we more alike or more different than those who have less (or more) than us?”

Students construct a large animal toy [rabbits, birds, small deer, etc.] out of edible materials to be placed in the habitats of carnivorous animal at the zoo.

“Growing Towards Excellence.” Working within that theme, the Character Counts Committee has adopted “Growing Together - Sowing Seeds of Character.”

This lesson is particularly effective in the beginning of the year as it allows students to begin to know each other.

“The Crayon Box that Talked” is a profound poem by Shane DeRolf that conveys the simple message that differences should not only be tolerated and accepted but embraced.

Character-Go-Round is a lesson designed to help students recognize the relationship between words, actions, and character traits.

This is a three-part lesson that helps students become aware of being caring and kind citizens in their school, home, and community.

Before beginning, students should be aware of the term, “bully,” and the expression “fooling around.”

Students will understand that kindness begins with being kind to yourself.

Students will understand that the positive things they do for others show respect and will no doubt come back to them.

"Homeside activities" are designed as an extension of "Schoolside" activities. They further promote the development of a "Caring Schools Community."

Students will select a famous historical figure or a more modern-day figure and research that person's life so they can write appropriate newspaper pieces about it.

Encourage students to see different people's points of view about hurtful words

Acceptance means respecting the differences among people. Because people are different in so many ways, it is important to be accepting of others.

This project was completed as part of a cross-curricular unit on poverty and homelessness. Students participated in numerous poverty simulations, fixed-income budget activities, and research on homelessness statistics. They also read fictional and poetic accounts of homelessness.

The goal of this lesson is to have the students reflect upon the importance of honesty and the consequences of lying. The students should be encouraged to speak freely to promote social interactions within the classroom.

Students will examine the "highs" and "lows" in their lives by comparing these to the parts of a wave. In the process, students will gain sel-awareness and a greater understanding of the parts of a wave.

The students will work effectively as part of a group to accomplish a goal.

Students use literary sources to come to a deeper understanding of human resilience and the importance of tolerance in society.

This activity is designed to allow students to communicate and express their opinions on various topics in a respectful and non-threatening way and to respectfully listen to and connect with other students in a socially productive way.

Once a week for thirteen weeks students are handed a copy of ‘Seedfolks’ at the beginning of advisory, homeroom, or another class. Students and teacher read a new chapter about another character who enters the garden and in their own very special way makes it a better place.

Students analyze a variety of sources in order to determine for themselves whether or not Columbus should be considered a hero or a villain.

Students reflect upon how they are part of many different community "circles" within the "Circle of Life."

Art Lesson: students will demonstrate their understanding of Installation Art by creating one at their school. Throughout the process, students utilize specific character traits they are taught in our character education program.

This lesson enables students to see that in every job done well there is honor.

Health Lesson: students learn about cancer in health class, survey the school community to find out about the impact of cancer, and then educate their peers about what they have learned. Students work with art students to create an art installation.

Students will create S.M.A.R.T goals and reflect on the process of meeting or working towards their leadership goals.

Note: Some Spanish language translation required. By understanding the relation between their writing and the political issues of the time period, we can understand how our intellectuals thought and how they transmitted their thoughts, values and virtues to the rest of the population.

Students will think about respect and what it means to respect themselves, those around them, and their world. They will work through how they can show respect in hypothetical situations.

Students will recognize Gandhi as a non-violent protester and man of character through this lesson and reading his famous quotes.

Students will establish a set of rules and guidelines based on mutual respect for safe and honest discussion during their class or family advocate period, or review already existing guidelines with the same purpose.

Students are empowered through advocacy to make a positive life difference for members of their school, family, and community through seatbelt awareness.

Unlike peer mediation programs that teach a handful of students these attitudes, skills, and behaviors, the Conflict Resolution Skills Training Homeroom provides this enriching opportunity to all freshmen students.

Using the Got Milk? ad campaign as an example, students are to devise a creative and fun campaign that will capture the minds of their peers through design of an ad promoting character in their school ... by altering the Got Milk? slogan to Got Character?

This lesson is designed to help students recognize and empathize with people who have disabilities.

The purpose of this lesson is to have students focus on what civic responsibility is all about and to come up with an action which expresses civic responsibility.

A success folder is a student portfolio of student work from throughout the year and a place of self-reflection. The ultimate goal is for students to develop intrinsic motivation as they think about their performance in school and what it took to be successful.

This lesson is meant for older students that are able to look beyond citizenship as patriotism and process abstract information.

Students will be able to recognize the three types of bullying: social, physical, and verbal.

When students learn to tell their experiences in a powerful way, they are often heard.

Students will learn the difference and then give examples and find ways to convert excuses to statements of responsibility.

Teachers teach parents strategies to assist their children at home with language arts or mathematics.

Students will discuss how they show respect to their bus drivers and collect data on how students really behave on buses. Then they will find ways to improve behavior.

The students at Fox C-6 School District have a say in their scholastic experience.

Students will be able to identify at least four key values that are essential to positive character at our school.

Students explore kindness and caring through the story of Owen and Mzee, a true story about how a 130-year-old tortoise (Mzee) helped a baby hippo (owen) survive after separation from its family during the 2004 tsunami.

Each class will read the book Life Doesn't Frighten Me. The students will discuss their own fears and how they can overcome those fears.

Annually, each child establishes an academic and a personal goal which reflects the school's character education traits. A goal-setting conference is convened at the beginning of the school year with the child, teacher and parent to discuss the child's identified goals and to sign a three-way commitment.