Orange County Department of Education
My Character Odyssey
Young scholars explore and analyze how the trials of life can develop one's character and values of respect, responsibility and compassion. Then, while reading and evaluating The Odyssey, they reflect on their own hero journey and write...
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Caring for Others
Young scholars explore the importance of caring for others in leadership. In this leadership and compassion activity, students define compassion and brainstorm a list of do's and don'ts for caring. Young scholars research articles that...
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Protection and Compassion
Pupils investigate ways to protect themselves against AIDS while learning compassion for the those with the disease. In this HIV/AIDs lesson, students discuss ways to protect themselves against contacting the disease. Pupils discuss the...
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Chrysanthemum
Our uniqueness should be celebrated, not teased. The story Chrysanthemum addresses having a distinct name and dealing with different perceptions. Pre- and post-reading questions are listed to help your learners understand and make...
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Whoever You Are
Students examine cultures, traditions, and feeling throughout cultures. In this cultural lesson plan, students use literature, maps, and cultural information to examine how people have universal feelings despite their different cultures...
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Character Ambassadors
Students act as ambassadors. In this character education lesson, students take on the roles of ambassadors of the character traits listed. Students write essays regarding the character traits they select.
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Social Studies/Bible - Christian Response
Eighth graders examine the essence of Christianity. In this Christian response lesson, 8th graders discuss what they can do prevent another Holocaust. Students also pay tribute to those who go out their way to help those in need and...
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Defining Character Traits
Students read and analyze an extended definition in preparation for writing an extended definition of a CHARACTER TRAIT. They use analogy as a definition strategy to tailor writing to a particular audience. Finally, students SHARE...
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Primary Grade Historians
Students read and analyze books about elders and develop a set of interview questions. They define respect and ways to show respect to elders and conduct an interview with elders. Finally, students write an oral history of a senior...
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When were you selfless today?
Students, after reading and analyzing the poem, Selflessness of Mind, by Joe Gurknecht, brainstorm and discuss specific recent student acts of selflessness. They develop strategies to tie those acts of selflessness to themselves and...
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When were you selfless today?
Young scholars, after reading and discussing the poem, Selflessness of Mind, by Joe Gutknecht, discuss specific recent acts of selflessness and then write a first draft paper on selflessness. They compare/contrast their own lives to the...
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Magical Moments Around the World
Students write magical moments about human compassion and enter the examples on a global, multilingual website. In this global communication lesson, students create their own message about human compassion. Students then enter their...
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Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day
Second graders interact with the story of Alexander's horrible day by connecting it to their lives. They practice predicting, writing paragraphs, reading aloud, discussing his problems, making a card to cheer him up, and designing a pair...
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100 Questions
Students practice problem solving skills by asking questions and participating in a design challenge. In this asking questions lesson, students work in pairs to ask questions to design a solution for a difficult personal problem....
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Service Learning
Students explore the value in helping others. In this ethics lesson, students use videos, worksheets, Internet articles and group discussion to develop a personal perspective on what it means to help others.
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Altruism: Meeting Society's Needs
Students study society's needs and altruism within communities. In this altruism lesson plan, students identify and categorize the basic needs that human beings have and define altruism. Students complete research on altruistic...
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Before Rosa Parks: Early Grades Activity
Students read excerpts from an autobiographical work and retell scenes from the book. They consider the ways Susie King Taylor's autobiography displays character traits including courage, creativity, compassion and determination.
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Primary Source? What is That?
Young scholars examine the use of primary sources. They read and discuss excerpts from the "Diary of Anne Frank," write journal entries, identify examples of altruism from the book, write an essay, and complete a worksheet.
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Tzedakah: How Can We Help?
Students define what constitutes a nutritious meal, the price of a healthy meal, and understand that some people can't afford healthy meals. In this healthy meals lesson plan, students estimate and research the cost of a nutritious meal,...
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We Are Divine Creations (Tolerance)
Students learn ways people volunteer and the ways it helps their self and spirit. In this service project lesson, students define tolerance and study people or organizations who have demonstrated tolerance. Students then answer questions...
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Heroes
Students explore heroic characters. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss the characteristics of a super hero and then define vocabulary associated with philanthropy such as civic virtue and altruism. Students work in groups to...
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Tzedakah: How Can We Help?
Students identify nutritious meals and the prices of a healthy meal. In this nutritious meals lesson, students work in small groups and plan a menu for a nutritious meal. Students figure the total cost of the meal and collect money to...
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Empathy
Students complete activities to develop empathy. In this empathy lesson plan, students complete discussion activities and all the related worksheets in order to build their understanding of the concepts to empathy. Students identify a...
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Smiley Face Circle Stories
Students examine different artifacts from the 1970's. In this history lesson, students discover what each artifact is by seeing the artifact and reading a card defining what the artifact represents. On the second day, students create...