US Institute of Peace
Identifying Conflicts
When viewpoints collide, conflict arises. Can your pupils identify the components of conflict? The fourth in a series of 15 lessons about peacebuilding helps participants identify the underlying causes of conflict. Teams role play to...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Finding the Positive
To instill the importance of a positive classroom community small groups create a collage out of magazine clippings that highlight three characteristics of self-awareness. Written examples accompany the finished product. Groups turn in...
Orange County Department of Education
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses
Fifth graders read the selection Black Cowboy, Wild Horses and identify characteristics of self-discipline shown by story's main character, Bob Lemmons. Students then identify some of their own traits of self-discipline and reflect upon...
Curated OER
Halloween Literature Unit: Little Critter’s Halloween
Students are read Happy Halloween Little Critter, by Mercer Mayer. In this emotions lesson plan, students discover how their mood is often affected by their feelings. They discuss the story as a class and then work independently on a...
Curated OER
Karen Hesse's Witness; Tolerance and Non-Discrimination
Students complete a graphic organizer depicting character views regarding African Americans during the early 20th century in America. In this graphic organizer of views lesson, students read the book Witness and become familiarized with...
Curated OER
Cyberbullying:What is It? What Can We Do About It?
Learners examine the prevalence of cyberbullying. In this character education lesson, students read articles about cyberbullying and its implications. Learners respond to discussion questions.
Curated OER
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Students explore the concept of self-respect. In this character education lesson, students listen to the original "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" story and listen to the song. Students discuss the meaning of the word underdog and the...
Curated OER
Social Studies Strategies Emotional Timeline
In this social studies strategies worksheet, students record events in a story and chart them on a line graph according to how good or bad they are in the life of the main character.
Curated OER
Character Education: Respect
Second graders design and share care and consideration banner. Students listen to stories about caring and considering others.
Curated OER
Our Successful Traits
Students brainstorm and discuss essential traits for success. They develop a group list that displays essential traits of the successful classroom and journal about the experience.
Curated OER
Franklin Says I Love You
Students consider the importance of giving as they read "Franklin Says I Love You". In this character education lesson, students engage in discussion about the importance of sharing and giving. They relate to the story by offering...
Curated OER
Applying Principles of Civic Liberty
Third graders relate the everyday duties in the classroom and in the community. In this character education lesson, 3rd graders compare duties in the classroom to duties in the community and chart them on a Venn diagram. Students discuss...
Curated OER
Dishonesty
Students explore religion and ethics. In this character education lesson, students compare dishonesty and honesty as they consider the ethics of lying. Students consider whether certain lies are more acceptable than others and...
Curated OER
Passing Notes
Students demonstrate the importance of sharing compliments. In this character education lesson, students write compliments on post-it notes to one of their classmates.
Curated OER
Taking a Stand on Bullying
Middle schoolers stand up against bullying in a character-building lesson. After discussing historical figures who became advocates in times of adversity, they brainstorm ways to end bullying at their own school, and use a formal letter...
Curated OER
Jewish Heroes Congress
Students explore Jewish heroes throughout history. For this character development and history lesson, students work in groups to research a Jewish hero. A life-size model of the hero is constructed. Students participate in a Jewish...
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Learning area 2: Challenging Stereotypes and Discrimination
Six powerful and eyeopening lessons provide scholars with activities designed to challenge stereotypes and discrimination. The unit provides reading material with which pupils read and discuss. Grand conversations lead to physically...
Overcoming Obstacles
Perseverance and Personal Best
A lesson focuses on perseverance. Scholars define the term, list ways to show it, and make and set goals using a color-coded worksheet. The class encourages their peers to work towards their personal best.
US Institute of Peace
Negotiation Role-Play
War-torn Kosovo is experiencing another crisis—thousands of broken-down cars clogging the damaged highways, making travel impossible. Which local auto shop owner will get the contract to clear the road for progress? After some research,...
US Institute of Peace
Advanced Mediation Practice
What will become of the giraffes of Amali? Pupils participate in a large scale role-playing activity to study the art of conflict mediation. The lesson engages participants in the struggle between two countries and the animals caught...
Overcoming Obstacles
Cooperation and Teamwork
One of Aesop's fables begins with a lesson about cooperation and teamwork. Scholars listen carefully, taking note of the moral of the story. The class discusses their findings and why working with others makes work easier. Learners share...
Facing History and Ourselves
Frame a Special Item
If you could frame something important to you, what would it be, where would you hang it, and why would you choose this particular thing to frame? These questions launch a lesson designed to help class members get to know each other....
Curated OER
Trustworthy Reputation
Seventh graders explore the character trait of reputation. In this character education lesson, 7th graders focus on their personal reputation as they discuss positive character traits and reflect on character quotations in journal entries.
Curated OER
Group Alignment
Students discuss proper ways to work in a group. In this character education lesson, students identify the vocabulary words "inclusion" and "exclusion" and create a list of ways to respect others in a group setting.