Students investigate the concept of a hero. In this character education lesson, students define courage and discuss heroes they know. Students brainstorm ways to describe a hero and create an acrostic poem.

Middle schoolers explore the life of Nelson Mandela. In this biographical lesson, students read a biography about Nelson Mandela and discuss his life accomplishments. Middle schoolers watch an Internet video about Mandela and discuss...

Students explore courage. In this moral and character development lesson, students read biographical information about Jackie Robinson and identify examples of courage exemplified in his life story.

Students investigate the meaning of honesty. In this character education lesson, students brainstorm school experiences where they have the choice of being honest. Students illustrate and describe actions related to honesty in a journal.

Students create an imaginary conversation. In this perseverance lesson, students complete a t-chart about words that describe perseverance and words that describe the opposite of perseverance. Students sketch a "talking heads"...

Students examine what respect is and isn't. In this character education lesson, students create a t-chart of what respect looks like and doesn't look like. The teacher adds the words bias, prejudice, stereotype and racism to the chart....

Eighth graders analyze the conveyance of honesty in written products. In this writing skills activity, 8th graders discuss bias and fabrication in writing. Students practice sincere writing as they write statements regarding the common...

Middle schoolers study a man's life. In this values lesson, students read about Frederik De Klerk and answer discussion questions. Middle schoolers discuss his values, especially integrity, and how they made a difference.

Students explore philanthropy and integrity. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the word "integrity," and role play various scenarios to demonstrate integrity.

Students brainstorm the characteristics of trusted learners. In this social skills lesson, students brainstorm what a 'community of trusted learners' would look like. Students create a continuum of distrustful to trustful individuals...

Learners write in their journals. In this writing and responsibility lesson, students write about personal responsibility. They have three writing choices to choose from that all deal with this central theme.

Seventh graders discuss promises they have made and whether they have kept them. In this promises lesson, 7th graders work in groups to discuss the importance of promises. They develop a verbal statement about their point of view on each...

Students explore trustworthiness. In this character development lesson, students brainstorm synonyms for trustworthiness. Students consider two communities to which they belong, and compare and contrast these communities by completing a...

Students identify long and short term goals. In this perseverance lesson, students discuss the difference between short term and long term goals. Students categorize their personal goals as short or long term. Students read a quote by...

Seventh graders examine their own personal interests and talents.  In this Social Studies lesson, 7th graders study an issue that is important to them.  Students write about how he or she can take action in a courageous way to...

Seventh graders explore psychology by writing reflections about quotations. In this human behavior lesson, 7th graders read a list of famous quotes about trust by men such as Benjamin Franklin and William Shakespeare. Students complete a...

Eighth graders discuss fairness. In this fairness lesson, 8th graders meet together to talk about how downloading free music affects the common good. They talk about their own feelings of whether it is fair or not. 

Students explore how water conservation is influenced by the four sectors of economy. In this social studies economics lesson, students brainstorm problems and solutions related to water conservation. Collages are created to represent...

Students respond to the Indian folktale, The Drum. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students reflect upon the folktale and demonstrate ways one person can make a difference in the world. Students construct a Powerpoint presentation as a...

Students investigate recycling. In this environmental lesson, students design a recycling program for their school. Students collect data about how much recyclable materials they use in one week. Students also survey classmates about how...

Students examine the meaning of philanthropy. They look at specific needs and determine the process of requesting grants from various foundations. They determine a need within the school community and write a grant application or...

Students examine how people can make a difference in the world. They read and analyze excerpts from a novel, discuss song lyrics, clean up a local park, and write an essay.

Students discuss volunteerism and identify volunteer positions in their community. They choose and carry out a volunteer project in the school or local community.

Students work cooperatively to create a quilt. They choose a pattern and determine the specific skills and steps needed to produce that quilt. Labor is divided equally between group members and a quilt is created assembly line style....