Character Education

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Values: Courage (elem/upper elem/middle)

"He thinks about it all the time. He even has bad dreams about it!" A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Worksheet: How to Answer Moral Questions (upper elem/middle)

This short lesson doesn't provide answers, but provides the vocabulary for discussing ethical questions.
Writing Prompt: Dealing with a Teaser

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses the complexity of teasing.
Word Search: Character Counts

[member-created document] This sample was made with the abcteach word search puzzle tool. From "caring" to "trustworthy".
Writing Prompt: The Berated Waitress (elementary, middle school)

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses misdirected anger.
Fable: Aesop and Fitting In

This unit uses the story of the miller, his son, and their donkey as a foundation for talking about fitting in. With imaginative writing and drawing prompts (and a word search!), as well as comprehension questions, this is a fun introduction to Aesop AND a solid lesson on character education and critical thinking skills. Available at four levels. Common Core: RL.3.2
Comprehension: Manners (upper elementary/middle)

The review questions with this reading comprehension (one page each of "Bloom's Taxonomy") are helpful for critical thinking development.
Word Search: Character Traits

[member-created document] This sample was made with the abcteach word search puzzle tool.
Writing Prompt: Sharing Credit

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses sharing the credit... but not sharing the workload.
Values: Perseverance (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"He always reads and writes more slowly than his classmates... " A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Writing Prompt: Empathy (upper elem/middle)

In pairs, students work on basic skills required for empathy.
Values: Empathy (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"Martin decided that he wouldn't let Sophia search all by herself the way he'd had to." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Responsibility (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"Alejandro wanted a dog." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Caring, Citizenship

Awards for caring and citizenship.
Writing Prompt: Creativity

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses the conflict between doing what is expected, and doing what is creative.
Writing Prompt: Did She Steal It? (larger)

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses suspecting a friend of wrongdoing.
Writing: Case Study of a Human and Animal Bond (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. A case study requires that you investigate and describe the experiences of one or a few in a way that helps your reader understand that there are many others in similar circumstances. Develop an understanding of the postive personal relationships between humans and animals. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.
Values: Cleanliness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"It was true that Ken's hands were filthy after handling the dirty football and exercising during football practice..." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Writing Prompt: Shyness

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses speaking up when you need help.
Values: Forgiveness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Compassion (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"Justin sees how people were affected by the disaster." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Creativity (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"He imagined himself in Italy..." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Poetry Comprehension: Kipling's "If" (middle/high school)

Read Kipling's poem on adulthood, and fill in the missing verbs. Then match the lines to their modern-day equivalents. Finally, discussion (or essay) questions to address the themes of the poem: adulthood, coming of age, etc. This lesson is adaptable to a variety of levels.
Values: Cheerfulness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"All Patrick's teammates enjoy his enthusiasm, and they have even more fun at practice..." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Punctuality (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"Jen was still tired when her alarm clock rang, so she slept a little longer..." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Initiative (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"After dinner, they have Michael do his homework and ask him if he has questions about it. Then at night, they tell him when to go to bed." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Cooperation (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"John doesn't want to work with Mark." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Values: Trustworthiness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"She looked at the spelling test quickly and then hid it in her desk." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Honesty, Initiative

Awards for honesty and initiative.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Cooperation, Effort

Awards for cooperation and effort.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Friendship, Fairness

Awards for friendship and fairness.
Values: Sporstmanship (elem/ upper elem/middle)

"Carrie's teammates don't always like playing soccer with her..." A fictional reading comprehension designed to help teach students character education. Reflective short answer questions can be used for discussion or writing practice.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Participation, Problem Solving

Awards for participation and problem solving.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Teamwork, Trustworthy

Awards for teamwork, trustworthiness
Writing Prompt: Sharing Answers

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses copying answers.
Worksheet: Manners - Identifying Best Behaviors (upper elem/middle)

"Which of the following is a way to show respect for your elders?" 18 multiple choice questions.
Worksheet: Manners - Identifying Reasons (upper elem/middle)

"Why should you open the door for another person?" 18 multiple choice questions
Writing: Position Paper for or Against Zoo Facilities (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against the existence of zoos. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings available in the Zoo Theme Unit.
Writing Prompt: Whisperers... or Cheaters?

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses whether to tell on people who might be cheating.
Writing Prompt: The Wrong Change (upper elem/middle)

Part of the abcteach character-education series, which introduces children to challenging life skills decisions and asks them, "What would you do if this happened to you?" This one addresses honesty when someone makes a mistake in your favor.

Values: Courage (elem/upper elem/middle)

Worksheet: How to Answer Moral Questions (upper elem/middle)

Writing Prompt: Dealing with a Teaser

Word Search: Character Counts

Writing Prompt: The Berated Waitress (elementary, middle school)

Fable: Aesop and Fitting In

Comprehension: Manners (upper elementary/middle)

Word Search: Character Traits

Writing Prompt: Sharing Credit

Values: Perseverance (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Writing Prompt: Empathy (upper elem/middle)

Values: Empathy (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Responsibility (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Certificate: Character Ed. - Caring, Citizenship

Writing Prompt: Creativity

Writing Prompt: Did She Steal It? (larger)

Writing: Case Study of a Human and Animal Bond (middle/high)

Values: Cleanliness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Writing Prompt: Shyness

Values: Forgiveness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Compassion (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Creativity (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Poetry Comprehension: Kipling's "If" (middle/high school)

Values: Cheerfulness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Punctuality (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Initiative (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Cooperation (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Values: Trustworthiness (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Certificate: Character Ed. - Honesty, Initiative

Certificate: Character Ed. - Cooperation, Effort

Certificate: Character Ed. - Friendship, Fairness

Values: Sporstmanship (elem/ upper elem/middle)

Certificate: Character Ed. - Participation, Problem Solving

Certificate: Character Ed. - Teamwork, Trustworthy

Writing Prompt: Sharing Answers

Worksheet: Manners - Identifying Best Behaviors (upper elem/middle)

Worksheet: Manners - Identifying Reasons (upper elem/middle)

Writing: Position Paper for or Against Zoo Facilities (middle/high)

Writing Prompt: Whisperers... or Cheaters?

Writing Prompt: The Wrong Change (upper elem/middle)

Notes

PLEASE check other areas of the site for more MIDDLE SCHOOL materials. Many materials are multi-aged. Check out the theme units and teaching extras, book units, etc.