Curated OER
Using Words to Work Things Out
Students explore appropriate ways to communicate feelings. In this character development lesson, students listen to Hands are not for Hitting and several other books about expressing emotions appropriately. Students observe puppet...
Curated OER
Building Communities
Learners examine the ADL's Pyramid of Hate and use it to identify bullying instances they are aware of. In this character education lesson, students discuss their findings and design activities or programs to combat bullying in their own...
Curated OER
The ABC’s of Kindness
First graders practice random acts of kindness. In this character education lesson, 1st graders consider acts of kindness they can carry out and then identify them as they create ABC books of kindness.
Curated OER
Words Will Break Your Heart
Students practice being kind. In this character education lesson, students identify hurtful words they have heard and then share kind words they have heard. Students discuss the impact of hurtful words.
Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program
Common Core Reading Standards: Understanding Argument
What does your class know about logical fallacies? They can find out quite a bit and practice identifying logical fallacies if you follow the steps and use the resources provided here! After reviewing ethos, pathos, and logos, ask small...
Curated OER
Earthquake! The Human Impact
Students explore the impact of natural disasters on communities. In this character education lesson, students examine poetry regarding an earthquake. Students discuss how to rebuild communities in the wake of natural disasters.
Curated OER
The Tell-Tale Heart
Bring Edgar Allan Poe's spooky story to life! After reading the short story "The Tell-Tale Heart," middle and high schoolers identify the theme, character traits, irony, and other story concepts. During pre-reading, they take notes,...
Curated OER
Taking on a Task
Eighth graders identify ways to persevere. In this character education lesson, 8th graders work in small groups to complete a task using strategies to persevere.
Curated OER
Don't Give Up
Eighth graders demonstrate perseverance. In this character education lesson, 8th graders define the word perseverance and identify difficult tasks they face regularly which require perseverance.
Missouri Department of Elementary
Keep Finding the Positive
Group members take on roles to create a positive classroom community. Learners perform their role—leader, recorder, presenter, timekeeper, encourager, and collector—in preparation for a formal presentation of their positive thinking...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Are You Balanced?
Balance scales create a strong visual of how an individual prioritizes one's self alongside their commitments to the community, school, and home. Scholars complete a graphic organizer then discuss their findings with their peers. A...
Ohio State University Extension
Teen Leadership
Are the young leaders of tomorrow sitting in your classroom right now? Polish their skills to perfection using a series of teen leadership activities. Each lesson promotes both personal growth and team building, while helping scholars...
US Institute of Peace
Defining Conflict
Conflict is everywhere—but is it avoidable? The first activity in a series of 15 peacebuilding lessons examines the nature of conflict at home, school, and across the world. Learners develop a definition of conflict through group work...
Scholastic
What Makes a Leader?
After creating a list of great American leaders from the last century and researching their lives, pupils will brainstorm aspects of leadership and discuss what traits may be shared by all leaders.
US Institute of Peace
Responding to Conflict: Mediation
What happens when two parties can't come to agreement? Scholars explore the role of a mediator through part 10 of a 15-part series of peacebuilding lessons. Through individual work and role play, pupils brainstorm solutions until they...
US Institute of Peace
Responding to Conflict: Negotiation Role-Play
After a lesson like this one, your class won't hesitate to negotiate! Pupils pair up and negotiate opposing sides of a conflict during the ninth installment in a 15-part series. Once they determine their wants and needs, individuals...
US Institute of Peace
Mediating Conflict
Two's a negotiation, but three's a mediation! Demonstrate the differences between the two processes through a role-playing lesson plan. The activity familiarizes pupils with the role of a mediator and examines the types of situations...
Brigham Young University
Introducing the Text and Learning the Process of Script Analysis
Where do directors and set designers get their ideas so that the set they build creates the mood and atmosphere the director wants for a production? From the script! Introduce theater high schoolers to the script analysis techniques used...
Teaching Tolerance
Identity Self-Portraits
What symbols represent you best? Individuals consider how they would draw peers using symbols about their identities with an interview and art activity. After conducting interviews and portraits, the art makes a great centerpiece for...
Curated OER
Courage: Hero Traits
What does it mean to be a hero? Who qualifies as a hero? In groups, middle and high schoolers brainstorm a list of heroes and create a list of characteristics that a person must possess in order to be a hero. Extend this lesson by having...
Curated OER
Everyday Heroes
Students research how Ernie Pyle's descriptive narratives and "every man's" perspective of the war allow them to examine personal traits such as courage and heroism. The lesson can be extended to include more examples to teach character...
Curated OER
Creating Characters
Students examine the methods of effective characterization. In this writing skills lesson, students discuss how emotions, dialogue, actions, and physical descriptions build believable characters. Students then use the methods of...
Curated OER
Catherine, Called Birdy: June and July
Middle schoolers illustrate types of conflicts in Catherine, Called Birdy. In this Catherine, Called Birdy lesson plan, students take notes on four types of character conflict. Middle schoolers work in teams to illustrate a conflict...
Curated OER
The Brand New Kid
Second graders explore cultural differences through reading. In this culture lesson plan, 2nd graders read the book The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric. Students discuss scenes from the book and how the character feels. Student get with a...