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...

Students explore the importance of caring for others in leadership. In this leadership and compassion lesson, students define compassion and brainstorm a list of do's and don'ts for caring. Students research articles that show caring and...

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...

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...

Students investigate ways to protect themselves against AIDS while learning compassion for the those with the disease. For this HIV/AIDs lesson, students discuss ways to protect themselves against contacting the disease. Students discuss...

Students examine cultures, traditions, and feeling throughout cultures. In this cultural lesson, students use literature, maps, and cultural information to examine how people have universal feelings despite their different cultures and...

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....

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...

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 activity, students estimate and research the cost of a nutritious meal,...

Twelfth graders research the history to Haiku Poetry. They read classical haiku to comprehend their special sensibility and form. Students encounter the Buddhist philosophical background of this poetry and its roots. They write original...

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.

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...

Middle schoolers, 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...

Students, 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 poem...

Students study society's needs and altruism within communities. In this altruism lesson, students identify and categorize the basic needs that human beings have and define altruism. Students complete research on altruistic...

Students complete activities to develop empathy. In this empathy lesson, students complete discussion activities and all the related worksheets in order to build their understanding of the concepts to empathy. Students identify a public...

Middle schoolers 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. Middle schoolers then...

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...

Learners 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. Learners figure the total cost of the meal and collect money to...

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...

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...

Students 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.

Middle schoolers participate in a instructional activity examining the concept of character and how it is the foundation of lasting human relationships. They examine character traits that are considered positive and then define the...

Young scholars act as ambassadors. In this character education lesson, students take on the roles of ambassadors of the character traits listed. Young scholars write essays regarding the character traits they select.