Curated OER
Planting Seeds of Philanthropy
Middle schoolers explore the importance of maintaining a democracy through philanthropic actions. In this character education lesson, students discover what the Japanese internment camps were, and why they were an infringement on...
Civil War Trust
Civil War Personalities Lesson Plan
Caring, trustworthiness, and responsibility—these are only a few character traits in focus of a lesson plan based on stories from the Civil War era. Class members explore several influential lives while reading biographies that...
Curated OER
What is a Philanthropist?
What does a philanthropist do? Help your class explore philanthropy using character development and literacy ideas. Learners will define and give examples of philanthropy, listen to The Lion and the Mouse, discuss how the characters help...
Curated OER
Oklahoma! The Cultural Myth of America
Learners explore cultural myths in America by collecting images and characteristics of stereotypical Americans. They read a primary source document, discussing the views of the author in class. Next, they compare the terms used to...
Curated OER
Character Education: Perseverance
Young scholars analyze and define the word perseverance as it applies to Martin Luther King, Jr. In this Martin Luther King, Jr. lesson, students discuss the book 'I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King.' Young scholars analyze...
US Institute of Peace
Identifying Conflict Styles
Are you a peace-keeper or a problem-solver? Explore conflict management styles through a lesson, fourth in a 15-part series, that combines individual assessment and collaborative work. Groups learn the basic tendencies of each style,...
Curated OER
Word Search: Personal Character Traits
In this character education word search worksheet, students locate 15 words. All are positive character traits. This puzzle is in the shape of a lock and key.
Curated OER
Honesty and the Common Good
Seventh graders explore the trait of honesty. In this character education lesson, 7th graders consider how to exercise good judgement when rules and expectations are not clear.
Curated OER
Drama-Dialogue
Use drama to study and practice dialogue. Creative minds discuss what dialogue tells about a character, and how it can be used to advance the plot. They read a play, think about what they gleaned from dialogue, and record their...
US Institute of Peace
Identifying Your Conflict Style
How do you handle conflict? Individuals look inward to determine their own conflict style through group discussion and a short quiz. The sixth installment in a series of 15 conflict management lessons examines how our feelings and...
US Institute of Peace
Organizations Working for Peace
From helping refugees to negotiating peace treaties, the peacekeepers of the world keep busy! Introduce young activists to the many individuals and organizations throughout the world that work daily toward peace. 14th in a series of 15...
Crafting Freedom
F.E.W. Harper: Uplifted from the Shadows
What is stereotyping, and how do we handle stereotyping in our daily interactions? Your young historians will not only have the opportunity to learn about the first African American woman to publish a short story–Frances Ellen...
Curated OER
And Others?
Having integrity is often easier said than done. After completing the first lesson in a unit on being true to themselves and their values, learners engage in a discussion about three different people in difficult situations that call for...
Curated OER
Dodging Responsibility
Students explore responsibility. In this character education lesson, students review the definition of responsibility and brainstorm possible consequences of taking responsibility and not taking responsibility. Student's thoughts...
Curated OER
What Would You Do?
Students explain how we all face tough decisions everyday. They show how they respond to those events reveals who they are and where they are in their character/moral development. Students predict how to deal with peer pressure and...
Curated OER
Kindness Graffiti Wall
Students discuss acts of kindness. In this character education lesson, students use a large sheet of poster paper, tempera paint, and markers to create a graffiti wall. Students write down their ideas of kindness and share their wall...
Curated OER
A Long Walk
Seventh graders identify ways people persevere in a difficult situation. In this character education instructional activity, 7th graders watch a video about a man with cerebral palsy and discuss ways he perseveres.
Curated OER
Role Playing for the Common Good
Students explore conflict resolution. In this character education lesson, students role play simple conflict resolution situations at school and present the skits to other classes.
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Sharing in the Classroom
Students explore the concept of sharing. In this character education lesson, students role play methods of sharing in the classroom and create a guidebook for sharing in the classroom.
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Arthur Miller and The Crucible
Students investigate the dramatic elements of The Crucible. In this drama lesson, students explore the elements and themes of the Arthur Miller play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the acts. Students then...
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Abraham Lincoln and the Five-Dollar Note
Students study Presidential history by researching Abraham Lincoln. In this U.S. history lesson plan, students discuss the changes in the 5 dollar bill and create a timeline of Abraham Lincoln's life. Students complete a...
Curated OER
Well-behaved Women [and Men] Seldom Make History
Students examine historical context. In this historical perspectives lesson plan, students read and discuss instructor-selected picture book biographies. Students then complete graphic organizers based on the challenges the main...
Curated OER
A Straightforward Approach
Students discuss the importance of honesty. In this character education lesson, students discuss being honest. Students explore the question, "How is our community and world improved and strengthened when people are honest and...
Curated OER
A Decision of Integrity
Students study a man's life. For this values lesson, students read about Frederik De Klerk and answer discussion questions. Students discuss his values, especially integrity, and how they made a difference.