| 7-8 |
Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity |
Character Traits |
Character Traits: What Do They Mean?
Students will learn the definitions for character traits related to respect, responsibility, and integrity. They will describe behavioral examples and non-examples of the character traits as they appear in their own lives at school, at home, and in the community. This activity will provide the students with a common language and an understanding of each character trait. This lesson will also prepare students for classroom experiences that will make connections between coursework and character development throughout the school year. (Three 40-minute periods.) |
| 7 |
Respect and Integrity |
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler |
From the Mixed-up of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler: Character Analysis
Students will analyze one of the main characters in the novel, From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler in relation to several core ethical values. They will reflect on the character’s behaviors, thoughts, and motivations. Students will reflect on their own actions and words as well as take the perspective of that character and relate his/her experiences to their own lives. (Three 45-minute periods.) |
| 9 |
Respect, Responsibility, and Compassion |
The Odyssey |
My Character Odyssey
Students will write a biographical or autobiographical narrative based on the hero journey of Odysseus and the archetype of a hero according to Joseph Campbell. Students will reflect on their own trials, boons, and growth as a person of character as well as consider who has influenced them and who they have influenced. They will work collaboratively with classmates to respond to each other’s writing. In order to complete this assignment, students need to have read The Odyssey and be familiar with the hero journey archetype. (Two to four 50-minute class periods) |
| 9 |
Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity |
Romeo & Juliet |
Romeo and Juliet: Exploring Timeless Social Issues
This lesson contains pre-reading and post-reading activities for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Collaboratively students will evaluate, rank, and discuss timeless moral and ethical events central to the play. Students will reflect upon and defend their own thinking and beliefs. They will compare their responses before and after reading the play. (Two 50-minute class sessions) |
| 7 |
Respect, Responsibility, and Integrity |
All About Me Essay |
Writing an Essay: All About Me
Students will be led through the five-step writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and final draft) to write a five-paragraph autobiographical essay. Students will respond to a set of writing prompts for each paragraph which includes questions about how the character traits of respect, responsibility, and integrity relate to their lives and to reaching their school and personal goals. This essay can be used as a getting-to-know-you assignment at the beginning of the school year. (Three 50-minute class periods) |
| 5 |
Self-Discipline |
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses (Houghton Mifflin Grade 5) |
Black Cowboy, Wild Horses
After reading the selection “Black Cowboy, Wild Horses”, students will identify characteristics of self-discipline shown by story’s main character Bob Lemmons. Then students will identify some of their own traits of self-discipline and reflect upon areas to improve and make a commitment to act. They will brainstorm ways to become more disciplined, and share their ideas with the class. (45-60 minutes) |
| 3 |
Respect |
Dancing Rainbows: A Pueblo Boy's Story (Houghton Mifflin Grade 3) |
Dancing Rainbows: A Pueblo Boy's Story
Students identify the main ideas illustrated in the story and provide supporting details from the story that show respect toward self, others, and non-humans. Students write a paragraph to illustrate how the Tewa Indians show respect toward others. Students participate in a service project to show respect for their school or community. (60 minutes) |
| 5 |
Self-Respect |
Dear Mr. Henshaw (excerpt in Houghton Mifflin Grade 5) |
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Students will read an excerpt from the novel Dear Mr. Henshaw and identify Leigh’s demonstration of the trait of self-respect. By examining the main character’s series of letters to Mr. Henshaw, students will analyze changes in Leigh’s feelings throughout the story and understand how the author uses letters to reflect the character’s growth and development. Students write letters to Leigh, and to themselves, regarding issues of self-respect. (Two or three 45-50 minute lessons) |
| 3 |
Respect and Responsibility |
Pepita Talks Twice (Houghton Mifflin Grade 3) |
Pepita Talks Twice
Students will read the story “Pepita Talks Twice” which is about a girl who becomes frustrated because she has to translate between Spanish and English for her friends, family, and neighbors. Students will identify, write and share examples of respect and responsibility demonstrated by the characters in the story. Then students will identify how they demonstrate these in their own lives and compare their actions to the main character’s actions. (90 minutes or two 45-minute sessions) |
| 3 |
Compassion and Courtesy |
Poppa's New Pants (Houghton Mifflin Grade 3) |
Poppa's New Pants
Students identify examples from the story "Poppa's New Pants" of how the characters show compassion and courtesy towards each other. Students will then think and write about a time in their lives when they showed compassion or courtesy towards themselves or someone else. (Two sessions of 45 – 60 minutes each) |
| 9-10 |
Integrity, Responsibility, and Respect |
Any. This lesson presents examples from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. |
The Hero: Writing and Responding
This lesson is a culminating activity at the end of a unit, quarter, or semester. Collaboratively, students identify and discuss the heroic and non-heroic traits of characters from the literature in your curriculum. To prepare for writing an essay, students use a graphic organizer about a character whom they consider heroic and support their thesis with evidence from the text. In small groups, students are engaged in a “writing and responding” process to edit their essay. (Two to four 50-minute class sessions.) |
| 3 |
Integrity and Respect |
The Lost and Found (Houghton Mifflin Grade 3) |
The Lost and Found
Students create a character study of two of the main characters from the story “The Lost and Found.” Through discussion and self-reflection, students demonstrate their understanding of the characteristics of integrity and respect. (40 minutes) |
| 3 |
Respect and Responsibility |
Trapped by the Ice (Houghton Mifflin Grade 3) |
Trapped by the Ice
Students will read the story “Trapped by the Ice” which is about the Antarctic adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Students will identify, write and share examples of respect and responsibility demonstrated by the stories’ characters. Then students will identify these same traits and how they demonstrate them in their own lives. (90 minutes or two 45 minute sessions) |
