DECEMBER 2015
POWER CHAT
DIGNITY
AGES 6 1/2 - 13
What’s the Powerful Word of the Month?
Dignity means: Treating ourselves and others like we are worthy of care and attention.
We are all valuable. We all matter. You may be different from me- the shade of your skin, the color of
your hair, what you love to do, eat, play, or read-- but you matter. Because you are human and because
you are valuable, you deserve to be treated with dignity. We treat ourselves with dignity when we take
care of our bodies and stand up for ourselves. We treat others with dignity by including them, using kind
words and by helping those in need. Everyone here is deserving of being treated with dignity.
This week, we’re defining what dignity means, our human rights and what dignity looks like:
WEEK 1 – A DAY
First, go over the meaning of the word and points
written above. Then say, since we are humans and
we are valuable, we have certain “human rights.”
Does anyone know what a “human right” is? A human
right is something we are able to do because we are
human. For example, we all have the right to be safe
and live in a safe place. Think of something everyone
here is allowed to do each day. What do you think
some of our rights are as a human (i.e. food, shelter,
water, play, education, privacy)? Should anyone take
away these rights? No! There are some places where
some people don’t have all their human rights. How
must that feel (i.e. scary, sad)? We are fortunate.
Should you take away anyone else’s rights? Because
we are human and we are valuable, we deserve to
be treated like we matter-- with kindness, care and
attention. That’s dignity! Let’s say that together!
If you have time: Do animals have certain rights?
Pets, wildlife, zoo animals? What rights do they have?
WEEK 1 – B DAY
First, review the meaning of the word of the month
and what you discussed in the beginning of the
week. Then say, last time we talked about the fact
that because we are human and we are valuable,
we should be treated with dignity. Dignity means...
treating ourselves and others like we are worthy of
care and attention.We talked about our HUMAN
RIGHTS- what are some examples? Today, let’s
explore more about what dignity. First, how do you
treat YOURSELF with dignity (i.e. healthy foods,
enough sleep, hygiene, kind words to self)? YOU
matter! Is it alright for others to be mean to you? No!
How would you treat others in these circumstances:
(1) Someone tells you a mean secret about another
friend. (2) Classmates pick on one person at school
everyday. (3) Your sibling/friend fell & got hurt. We
must treat ourselves and others like we all matter!
If you have time: What actions would be an example
of NOT showing dignity in each situation above?
End the class by saying: “The word of the month is ‘Dignity.’
What’s the Powerful word of the month?” Have them shout back: “Dignity!”
© 2015 Powerful Words Character Development
DECEMBER 2015
POWER CHAT
DIGNITY
AGES 6 1/2 - 13
What’s the Powerful Word of the Month?
Dignity means: Treating ourselves and others like we are worthy of care and attention.
Last week we started talking about dignity. We talked about how to treat ourselves and others with dignity-as though we are all worthy of care and attention. We discussed human rights. What are human rights? What
are some examples of human rights (i.e. water, shelter, play, education)? We are very fortunate to have
these human rights and it’s important to be grateful and NOT take them for granted. How have you treated
yourself or others with dignity lately? (Spotlight a child for a job well done. Let them know you’re proud!).
This week, we’re discussing dignity & relationships: Connection, acceptance, inclusion & fairness:
WEEK 2 – A DAY
WEEK 2 – B DAY
First, go over the meaning of the word and points
written above. Then say, think of the people in your
life who are your family members, your friends,
your teachers and your classmates. All these people
deserve to be treated with dignity-- like they are
worthy of care and attention. Let’s discuss how we
can treat others with dignity. (1) When our parents or
friends are having a tough day, how can we treat them
with care and attention? How might someone respond
who DOES NOT treat them with dignity? (2) Let’s
talk about listening. How do we know if someone is
really listening? How can listening to someone show
that they matter? (3) When a new person comes to
class or a friend seems “different” from others, how
can we respond? How can including others show that
they are worthy of care and attention? We must treat
others with dignity! How else can we do that? Great!
First, review the meaning of the word of the month
and what you discussed in the beginning of the
week. Then say, last time we talked about treating
others with dignity. We talked about listening and
including others. How can listening and including
show others that they matter? How can we listen in
a way that shows care and attention? Good! Today
let’s talk about how being fair can show others that
they matter. What does being fair mean-- is it about
everything being divided up equally (i.e. fairness is
not about being equal- it’s about each person getting
what they need and deserve)? (1) How can you be
fair and treat yourself and others with dignity when in
competition (i.e. try as hard as you can, don’t cheat)?
(2) How can you be fair to others in your class and to
your teacher? How can treating people unfairly be a
way of hurting your dignity and others?
If you have time: HOW can you meet a new classmate
If you have time: In school, if someone is being
who might seem lonely (i.e. question, compliment,
name, invitation)? What happens when we ignore?
treated unfairly, what would you do? Good!
End the class by saying: “The word of the month is ‘Dignity.’
What’s the Powerful word of the month?” Have them shout back: “Dignity!”
© 2015 Powerful Words Character Development
DECEMBER 2015
POWER CHAT
DIGNITY
AGES 6 1/2 - 13
What’s the Powerful Word of the Month?
Dignity means: Treating ourselves and others like we are worthy of care and attention.
Last week we continued talking about dignity. We talked about including, listening and treating others
fairly. How can including a classmate in an activity or conversation be a way of treating them with
dignity? How can actively listening to someone show them that they matter? And what does “being fair”
have to do with treating others with dignity? Raise your hand if you’ve treated yourself or others with
dignity lately. (Spotlight a child for a job well done and let him/her know you’re proud).
This week, we’re discussing ways to recognize the strengths in others and use kind words that build them up:
WEEK 3 – A DAY
WEEK 3 – B DAY
First, go over the meaning of the word and points
written above. Then say, every single one of us
has strengths-- perhaps you are a great writer or an
amazing artist or a gifted athlete! Your gifts matter
to the world! Sometimes, people are quick to put
others down and pick on them for what makes them
different. Have you seen that? As leaders, it is our job
to lead with strengths and recognize them in ourselves
and others. We must POWER-UP instead of POWERDOWN people. Say; Power-UP! For example, I might
tell someone “You are determined and never giveup.” Look around the room or think of some people in
your life. What is one of their strengths? Yours? How
can you keep your dignity when someone is putting
you down? How can “leading with strengths” be a
way of treating ourselves & others with dignity? As a
leader, how can we see VALUE in every person? Yes!
First, review the meaning of the word of the
month and what you discussed in the beginning
of the week. Then say, last time we talked about
recognizing people’s strengths. Sometimes, people
often put others down for being different. As leaders,
we can build people up- how? What’s an example?
We must POWER-UP with sincere compliments
around strengths. Say; power-up! Another way
to treat others with dignity is by giving a sincere
apology. Who can tell me what a sincere apology
sounds like? Remember the Rs. (Repeat after
me!) Be REAL! State your ROLE! RECOGNIZE
their feelings! Take RESPONSIBILITY! Ask for
RELEASE! For example; I am sorry for pushing you.
That must have made you angry. It was my fault. Will
you forgive me? How can an apology be a way of (1)
showing dignity and (2) treating people with dignity?
If you have time: Give a compliment to someone in
this room. Try to give 3 sincere compliments per day!
If you have time: Another way of treating people
with dignity is helping those in need. How can we?
End the class by saying: “The word of the month is ‘Dignity.’
What’s the Powerful word of the month?” Have them shout back: “Dignity!”
© 2015 Powerful Words Character Development
DECEMBER 2015
POWER CHAT
DIGNITY
AGES 6 1/2 - 13
What’s the Powerful Word of the Month?
Dignity means: Treating ourselves and others like we are worthy of care and attention.
Last week we continued talking about dignity. We talked about how we can build people up- or
“POWER-UP” with strengths rather than tear people down. How can giving sincere compliments show
that you treat them with dignity? What does it say about a person’s character when they put people down?
We also talked about sincere apologies- who remembers how to give one? How have you shown good
citizenship this week? (Spotlight a child for a job well done and let him/her know you’re proud).
This week, we’re discussing celebrations and uniqueness: Holidays, similarities and differences
WEEK 4 – A DAY
WEEK 4 – B DAY
First, go over the meaning of the word and points
written above. Then say, it’s the holiday season!
And while many people might be thinking about
what gifts they hope for on their special holiday,
treating friends, family, teammates and classmates
with dignity and showing them they matter is one
of the most powerful gifts you can give! Before we
talk about dignity today, remind me of what holidays
are happening this month (i.e. Christmas, Chanukah,
Kwanzaa)? Can anyone tell me how these holidays
are alike (i.e. give gifts, spend time with family, light
candles, celebration) or different (i.e. celebrating the
birthday of Jesus, celebration of the miracle of lights,
celebration of the Harvest)? How can celebrating
our uniqueness and the uniqueness in others (rather
than putting people down for differences) be a way of
treating ourselves and others with dignity? Great!
First, review the meaning of the word of the month
and what you discussed in the beginning of the
week. Then say, last time we talked about dignity,
celebrating the holidays and uniqueness. How do
YOU celebrate your winter holiday? Can we celebrate
differently and still treat each other with dignity?
Today let’s talk about being different and still treating
people with dignity. Do you see people in school,
your neighborhood or your community treating
certain friends in a mean way? Why do you think this
is happening? When you see one person being treated
poorly over and over again, do you think it impacts
their feeling or worth and dignity? Yes. What can we
do when someone is being bullied or made to feel
that s/he doesn’t matter? We must stick up for dignity.
What if YOU are the one being treated poorly? YOU
are deserving of help & care. You matter. We all do!
If you have time: How can giving to those in need for
the holidays show them that they are worthy of care?
What can you give to those in need for the holidays?
If you have time: Finish this sentence, “I treat others
with dignity when I...(i.e.include, show care, be fair).
End the class by saying: “The word of the month is ‘Dignity.’
What’s the Powerful word of the month?” Have them shout back: “Dignity!”
© 2015 Powerful Words Character Development