Character Education

Character Education
Item	Description
Comprehension: Manners (upper elementary)	The review questions with this reading comprehension (one page each of "Bloom's Taxonomy") are helpful for critical thinking development.
Fable: Aesop and Fitting In (primary)	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.
Poster: Life Skills - Appreciation (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Caring (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Citizenship (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Common Sense (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Conflict Resolution (stick figure)
Teaching Idea: Peace Circle	Thoughts about starting a peace circle.
Teaching Idea: Peace Circle Experience	A report of one school's Peace Circle.
Teaching Idea: Peace Circle Suggestions	List and description of peace circle activities.
Unit: Setting & Achieving Goals (upper elem/ middle)	This is a great way of involving parents and students in goal-setting. Starting with a letter to parents and ending with a form for helping students achieve self-set goals, measure their own progress, and learn the sense of accomplishment that comes with achievement!
Values: Courage (elem/upper elem)	"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.
Word Search: Character Counts	[member-created document] This sample was made with the abcteach word search puzzle tool. From "caring" to "trustworthy".
Word Search: Character Traits	[member-created document] This sample was made with the abcteach word search puzzle tool.
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: Admitting a Mistake	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 admitting to a mistake.
Writing Prompt: Admitting a Mistake (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 admitting to a mistake.
Writing Prompt: Breaking Rules	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 breaking rules to help someone who might be in trouble.
Writing Prompt: Breaking Rules (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 breaking rules to help someone who might be in trouble.
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.
Writing Prompt: Helping	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 helping others.
Writing Prompt: New Friend	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 making friends in a new school.
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.

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The following documents are available for abcteach members

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Item	Description
Writing Prompt: Dealing with a Teaser (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?" With larger lines for younger writers.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Friendship, Fairness	Awards for friendship and fairness.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Honesty, Initiative	Awards for honesty and initiative.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Participation, Problem Solving	Awards for participation and problem solving.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Caring, Citizenship	Awards for caring and citizenship.
Poster: Life Skills - Cooperation (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Courage (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Curiosity (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Decision Making (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Effort (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Empathy (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Flexibility (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Forgiving (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Teamwork (stick figure)
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 Prompt: Empathy (upper elem/middle)	In pairs, students work on basic skills required for empathy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comparing Stories: Baking Cookies (elem/ upper elem)	Nancy and Angela both want a snack; both girls decide to bake cookies. But there the stories diverge. Compare the two stories using charts; answer short questions; make predictions about the future. A good character education lesson.
Comparing Stories: Bike Riding (elem/ upper elem)	Jason and Malcolm both wake up wanting a bike ride, but the boys have very different ways of doing what they want. Compare the two stories using charts; answer short questions; make predictions about the future. A good character education lesson.
Comparing Stories: Playing Sports (elem/ upper elem)	Meredith and Alexis both play sports, but their styles and attitudes couldn't be more different. Compare the two girls and the adults in their lives using charts and outlines. A good character education lesson.
Unit: Manners (multi-age)	September is "Good Manners" month, but any time of the year is a great time to review (or introduce) these fundamentals: answering a phone, being a guest or a host, and more. Includes a review quiz.
Values: Cooperation (elem/ upper elem)	"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: Forgiveness (elem/ upper elem)	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)	"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: Sporstmanship (elem/ upper elem)	"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.
Writing Prompt: A Sad Recess (primary/elementary)	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 helping a schoolmate after a death in the family.
Writing Prompt: Defending Friends	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 defending a friend who is being mocked.
Writing Prompt: Defending Friends (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 defending a friend who is being mocked.
Writing Prompt: Did She Steal the Money?	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 Prompt: False Accusations	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 what to do when accused of something you didn't do.
Writing Prompt: False Accusations (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 what to do when accused of something you didn't do.
Writing Prompt: Fighting	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 fighting at school.
Writing Prompt: Fighting (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 fighting at school.
Writing Prompt: Finders Keepers? (primary/elementary)	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 returning found money.
Writing Prompt: Grandpa Joe (primary/elementary)	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 spending time with older relatives.
Writing Prompt: Judging Others	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 judging people based on race or national origin.
Writing Prompt: Judging Others (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 judging others.
Writing Prompt: New Friend (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 friendship and social issues.
Writing Prompt: Parents' Divorce	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 learning a friend's secret.
Writing Prompt: Parents' Divorce (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 divorce.
Writing Prompt: Revenge?	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 it's right to get back at a bully.
Writing Prompt: Sharing Answers (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 sharing answers in class.
Writing Prompt: Sharing Credit (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 sharing credit but not sharing work.
Writing Prompt: Shyness (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 shyness.
Writing Prompt: Stealing	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 petty theft.
Writing Prompt: Stealing & Confessing (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 theft and honesty.
Writing Prompt: Stealing (primary/elementary)	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 petty theft.
Writing Prompt: Stealing and Confessing	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 stealing and confessing.
Writing Prompt: Teasing and Guilt	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 guilty feelings after teasing someone unfairly.
Writing Prompt: Teasing and Guilt (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 teasing.
Writing Prompt: The Long Line (primary/elementary)	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 patience and lying to get ahead.
Writing Prompt: Whisperers... or Cheaters? (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 whether or not to turn in friends one suspects of cheating.
Poster: Life Skills - Justice (stick figure)
Poster: Life Skills - Kindness (stick figure)
Values: Responsibility (elem/ upper elem)	"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.
Values: Trustworthiness (elem/ upper elem)	"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. - Cooperation, Effort	Awards for cooperation and effort.
Certificate: Character Ed. - Teamwork, Trustworthy	Awards for teamwork, trustworthiness
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.
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