| 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.) |
| 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) |
| 9 |
Responsibility |
Romeo & Juliet |
Romeo: Rash or Responsible?
This lesson focuses on Romeo’s decisions in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. After reading the play, students will work collaboratively to analyze the choices Romeo makes and the consequences that his decisions have on himself and other characters in the play. In preparation for writing an essay of literary analysis, students will differentiate between responsible and irresponsible decisions, propose alternative decisions, and explore the impact of their suggested alternatives upon the characters in the play. Students will reflect upon their own personal experiences making a difficult decision and its outcome (at least two 60-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) |
| 4-5 |
Perseverance |
Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion (Houghton Mifflin Grade 5) |
Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
Students will read “Michelle Kwan Heart of a Champion”, and identify the character trait of perseverance. Students discuss Michelle’s perseverance toward her goal of becoming a senior skater. Students identify the trait of perseverance in their own lives, create storyboards to illustrate the steps they took to achieve their goal, and use the storyboards to compose a personal narrative essay describing how they reached the goal. (Two 45-60 minute lessons) |
| 3 |
Responsibility |
Nights of the Pufflings (Houghton Mifflin Grade 3) |
Nights of the Pufflings
Students learn how to use story details to identify the problem and the solution that occurs in the text. With the use of the story details, students gain a better understanding of the character attribute of responsibility. (40 minutes) |
| 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) |
| 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.) |
| 1 |
Courage and Responsibility |
Abbie Against the Storm: The True Story of a Young Heroine and a Lighthouse |
The True Story of Abbie Burgess
Students will read a story about Abbie Burgess and identify at least three specific actions this main character takes to make the author call her a heroine exhibiting traits of courage and responsibility. Through discussion of the story, students will learn that children as well as adults can become heroes by helping others out in a time of need. Students will also learn to identify the beginning, middle, and end of a story. (30 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) |
