Kids of
Character
©
Using the Sun Sentinel to Promote Good Character
Special “Take-Home” Insert Inside: Character Education Activities for Families.
Kids of Character
©
Table of Contents
Cooperation
page 3
Responsibility
page 4
Citizenship
page 5
Kindness
page 6
Parent/Student Take-Home Insert
Respect
page 7
Honesty
page 8
Self-Control
page 9
Tolerance
page 10
Patriotism
page 10
Resources
page 11
Credits:
Written by: Ellen Schatz
Edited By: Debbie Rahamim, Sun Sentinel
Designed by: Erin Silver, Sun Sentinel
Production by: Debra Gahring, Sun Sentinel
Copyright, Sun Sentinel, 2011©
About this curriculum:
Kids of Character -- Using the Sun Sentinel to Promote Good Character,
was written in response to the Florida Legislature Senate Bill 20E, a
section of which mandated that character education be expanded
to include grades K-12. The Broward County School District set the
standard with their program which can be used as the state model
for character education curriculum. If any school district would like
a copy of the Broward curriculum, please e-mail: renee.m.brown@
browardschools.com
About the Sun Sentinel Kids of Character program:
Sun Sentinel Kids of Character is a partnership with Broward County
Schools and Publix Super Markets to honor students for doing
exemplary deeds, at home, in school and in the community.
A message from Broward County Schools:
Access to all monthly Character Education activity sheets with
curricula will now be available in electronic version only through
the district’s website at www.browardschools.com. Go to
“Departments” and then to “Student Support Services,” click on
“Character Education,” and then select the desired trait. Also,
your Character Education contact designee at your school site
will receive an electronic version (PDF file) to distribute each
month to the staff. Please contact Renee Brown, your Character
Education Coordinator, if you have any additional questions about
this process: [email protected] For additional
website resources, go to: www.browardprevention.org
About the Sun Sentinel News In Education program:
Throughout the school year, the Sun Sentinel NIE program provides newspapers, both digital and print, to South Florida
schools at no charge. Our goal has been to help teachers help their students, promote literacy, encourage hands-on learning
using the newspaper, and assist students in staying up-to-date on the world around them. Another key focus of our program
is providing curriculum materials, like Kids of Character, to enhance lessons in the classroom across all subject areas. These
complimentary booklets are aligned with the Sunshine State Standards.
2
For more information about Sun Sentinel News in Education and to download
educational materials, visit our website at: www.SunSentinel.com/nie
Quote:
“Coming together is a beginning.
Keeping together is progress.
Working together is a success.”
— Henry Ford
COOPERATION
Elementary Level:
ACTIVITY 1: SPORTSMANSHIP = COOPERATION!
COOPERATION – Working with
others to accomplish a common
purpose.
Demonstrators:
1. When given the opportunity I offer to take
responsibility for the portion of the project/
assignment where my skills, talents and/or
knowledge can be utilized.
2. When assigned a specific role or task, I
ask what is expected of me to successfully
complete my part of the project.
3. I listen to the ideas from the other
members of the project to understand how my
task will enhance what they are to do.
4. I encourage my partners or team members.
I assist them in anyway I can to be sure
we complete the assigned task, and by the
appointed time.
5. By working cooperatively, we can often
accomplish more in the same amount of time
than we could by working alone.
6. When working with others to complete a
project from which we all benefit, I feel good
about myself.
Look in the SPORTS section of the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition to find an article that
talks about a sports team whose players cooperated with each other in playing a game.
Write down the things that the players did that demonstrated cooperation with each
other during the game. Look at the list of things that you wrote down. Now think about a
time that you were part of a sports team. How did you cooperate with your teammates?
Write down the things that you did to display cooperation with your teammates.
How the sport’s team
players cooperated
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
How I cooperated
with my teammates
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________
ACTIVITY 2:
Belonging to a family and being part of a class in school is
like being part of a sports team. You all work together and
cooperate with each other to get things done. Think about
how you cooperate with the people in your family and with
your classmates in school. In one column, write the things
that you do that show how you cooperate with your family
at home. In another column, write the things that you do
that show how you cooperate with your classmates and
teacher in school.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).1.6.1, LA.(35).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).6.4.1
Secondary Level:
ACTIVITY 1:
Think about a situation at home and/or at school that is causing conflict. Write about
ways that can help the people involved cooperate with one another to resolve the problem.
Share your ideas with your classmates if the conflict is at school. Talk to the members of
your family about your ideas to resolve any conflicts at home.
ways to help people cooperate in home and/or school
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.(6-8).1.6.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, LA.(6-8).6.4.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.4
3
Quote:
“Mistakes are afact of life.
It is the response to the
error that counts.
– Nikki Giovanni
Responsibility
Elementary Level:
RESPONSIBILITY – Meeting
obligations by being reliable,
accountable and dependable
to self and others.
Demonstrators:
1. Being a person of my word.
I do what I say I am going to do.
2. Using a check off list, I am sure that
I will always have the tools I need to
complete a task, job or assignment.
3. Doing my part to be sure that a team
project is completed on time.
Activity 1: Responsibility Collage
Look through the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or at SunSentinel.com for words
and phrases that show responsibilities that you have at home, at school, and in
your community. Write them on a separate piece of paper.
Activity 2:
Make a list of what your responsibilities are; one for each day of the week.
Indicate what kind of responsibility it is: home, school, or community.
Responsibility
ex. Feed the dog
Home
MON.____________________________________
__________________
TUES.____________________________________ __________________
4. Doing my share, my part, to make
sure this is the best place in which to
learn, to live, to work, and to play. It
makes me feel valuable.
WED._____________________________________ __________________
5. Accepting the consequences, as well
as the benefits, of my words, actions and
behaviors.
SAT._____________________________________ __________________
THURS.___________________________________ __________________
FRI.______________________________________ __________________
SUN._____________________________________ __________________
6. Making choices that insure I lead
a healthy and productive life while
supporting others to do the same.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(3-5).1.7.1,
LA.(3-5).4.2.2, LA.(3-5)
.5.2.2, LA.(3-5).6.4.1
Secondary Level:
ACTIVITY1: the 5 w’s
of responsibility
In the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or at
www.SunSentinel.com, find an article about
someone acting responsibly. Look for the
5 W’s in the article, and write them down
on a separate piece of paper. Next, spend
a few minutes thinking about a time you
did or didn’t act responsibly. Write a short
paragraph describing what happened and
why.
4
Kind
Sunshine State Standards:LA.(6-8).1.7.1,
LA.(6-8).1.6.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, (LA.(6-8).4.2.3,
LA.(6-8).6.4.1, LA.(6-8).5.2.2
Quote:
“The strength of a nation lies in
the character of its citizens.”
— Francis Bacon
Citizenship
CITIZENSHIP – Knowing,
understanding and displaying a
high regard for rules, laws,
government, heritage, and for
those who have served and
sacrificed for community and
country.
Demonstrators:
1. Being a member of a community
(common unit) family, class, school,
village, town, city, county, state,
country (nation), continent, world.
2. Knowing that with every right there
is the responsibility to use that right in an
appropriate and respectful manner.
3. Choosing to be part of the solution, rather
than to be part of the problem.
4. Being in service to my ‘community’
by doing my part to help others who
are in need.
5. Whether in school or in my community I
respect and abide by the rules and laws, which
are designed to make
it a better and safer
community in which
to learn and live.
Elementary Level:
activity 1: citizenship poster
How can you be a good citizen? Read the COMICS section of the Sun Sentinel Digital
Edition. Choose your favorite comic character and use him or her to create a poster that
shows how to be a good citizen. Find or draw a picture of your comic character and glue it
to the poster board. Draw a scene and write a phrase on the poster board that shows how
you can be a good citizen. For example Garfield says, “Go out and vote!” “Snoopy always
throws his trash in the trash can.”
It is important to be a good citizen in your community. The school you attend is a type of
community. Write down five ways that you could display good citizenship in your school.
Share your ideas with your classmates.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).4.2.3, LA.(3-5).5.2.1, LA.(3-5).5.2.2,
LA.(3-5).6.4.1, LA.(3-5).3.1.1, VA.C.(3-5)1.1, VA.4.C.2.3
Secondary Level:
activity 1:
following the rules
It is important in a society to follow the rules and laws of
that society. Look through the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or go
online to www.SunSentinel.com and find a story about a person
or group of people who have broken the rules. Write down the
rules that have been broken. By each rule you find, write down
why it is important to society to follow that rule. Put yourself
in the news story. Describe how would
you have handled the situation so that
no rules were broken.
Think about the rules of your classroom
and school. List all the rules that you
can think of that you must follow during
the school day. By each rule, write down
why it is important to your school and
classmates.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.
(6-8).1.6.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.3, LA.(6-8).5.2.1, LA.(6-8)
.5.2.2, LA.(6-8).6.4.1, LA.(6-6).3.1.1
5
Quote:
“People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did. But
people will never forget how you
made them feel.”
Maya Anglou
KINDNESS
Elementary Level:
KINDNESS – Being
helpful, thoughtful,
caring, compassionate,
and considerate.
Demonstrators:
1. Doing something for someone
without being asked.
2. Saying or doing something to
make someone feel a part of my
class or group.
3. Helping someone to solve a
problem or to complete a task.
4. Thinking of someone else’s
needs before my own.
ACTIVITY 1:
THE GIFT OF
KINDNESs
Look through the
Sun Sentinel Digital Edition
or www.SunSentinel.com
for words and pictures that
express kindness. Find as
many as you can. Write each
word in the “gift box” below.
Also write the name of the
person that you would like to
give these “kindness words.”
Add a sentence telling why
you want to give your “gift” to
this person.
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Sunshine State Standards:LA.(3-5).1.7.1,
LA.(3-5).1.6.1, LA.(3-5).4.2.3, LA.(35).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).4.1.2, LA.(3-5).6.4.1
5. Greeting everyone with a smile
and a friendly word.
6. Saying and doing things that
let others know I care about their
feelings.
ACTIVITY 2:
Photo courtesy of Frank Benavides, Sun Sentinel
Draw a picture or a cartoon of a random
act of kindness that you did for someone
recently. Share with your class.
Secondary Level:
ACTIVITY 1:
AN ACT OF
KINDNESS
Look through the Sun Sentinel
Digital Edition or check out www.SunSentinel.com
for an article about an organization, place, or a group of people who are in need of help.
Write down the facts of the article using the 5W’s, including what the trouble is and
why help is needed. Brainstorm ways on how you might be of help.
Share your article with your class. Listen to each person, read his/her article, and
decide why help is needed. Together, think of ways that you as a class might be able to
help these organizations or people. If there is money needed, how can you help to raise
money? If volunteers are needed, can some of you volunteer your time?
6
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, LA.(6-8).1.6.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2
TAKE-HOME INSERT
Ways to Promote Good Character
at Home and in Your Community
Kids of Character
©
Publix Super Markets Character Education Activities for Families
There are things you can do at home and in your community to practice being a “Kid of Character.”
The following activities will give you and your family some ideas. Feel free to add your own.
These activities are based on the nine character traits used to teach character education in Broward County Schools. They are:
Cooperation, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Kindness, Respect, Honesty, Self-Control, Tolerance, and Patriotism.
For additional parent resources, visit www.browardprevention.org
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(3-8).4.2.2, LA.(3-8).4.2.4, LA.(3-8).1.7.1, LA.(3-8).1.6.1, HE.(3-8).8.3.5
4
1
2
Cooperation - SeptemBer
Working with others to accomplish a common purpose.
• Read a story to each other.
• Go to bed or do chores without being reminded.
• Create a family project, such as planning a trip, baking a cake, or building
a bird feeder and working on it together.
• Discuss what the word “compromise” means.
Photo courtesy of
Citizenship - NOVEMBER
3
Knowing, understanding, and displaying a high regard for rules, laws, government,
heritage, and for those who have served and sacrificed for community and country.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Together, plant a garden and give flowers or fresh vegetables to your neighbors and
friends.
• Assist an elderly neighbor with their groceries, mow their lawn, or wash their windows,
• Join a local volunteer program.
• Organize a neighborhood hurricane help group that will be ready to check on neighbors
after a storm passes through.
Sun Sentinel
KINDNESS - DECEMBER
Being helpful, thoughtful, caring, compassionate and considerate.
• Surprise someone with a present.
• Buy ingredients at Publix ® to bake some cookies. Share them with friends and family.
• Donate old toys or games to underprivileged children.
• Be nice to your little brother or sister. Do something special that they would like.
• Call friends you don’t see often and let them know you are thinking of them.
5
Responsibility - OCTOBER
Meeting obligations by being reliable, accountable, and dependable to self and to others.
• Within your family, make a list of your specific jobs or responsibilities at home. Write down
the days you will finish each task.
• Create an “I Promise” list of your tasks. For example: “I promise to take out the garbage.”
“I promise to clean my room once a week.” The make sure to fulfill your promises.
• As a treat, take your little brother or sister grocery shopping at Publix®.
Teach them to make healthy eating choices.
• Take proper care of your pets.
Debbie Rahamim,
6
self-control - March
REspect - January
Showing consideration, understanding, and regard
for people, places, and things.
• Open doors for senior citizens.
• Put your toys and clothes away properly.
• Speak politely to everyone; only say positive things.
• Congratulate yourself when you do something well.
• Write “nice” notes to your family and friends.
7
Honesty - February
Being truthful, trustworthy, and sincere.
• When you make a mistake at home, share how you feel about it with your parents.
• Discuss together how it makes you feel if someone lies to you.
• Think about it and discuss what telling a “little white lie” means.
• Each day, compliment a friend or family member.
Having discipline over one’s behavior and actions.
• Exercise at least 20 minutes per day,
• Practice positive self-control: resolve to try one new healthy fruit or
vegetable each week. (Look in the Publix ® produce section for a
large selection of
• Save money to buy things on your own.
• Together, read “If You Had to Choose, What Would You Do?”
by Sandra Mcleod Humphrey.
• If you start to feel angry, slowly count to 10 before speaking.
8
Photo courtesy of Frank Ben
avides, Sun Sentinel
9
Tolerance - APRIL/May
Recognizing and respecting differences, values,
and beliefs of other people.
• Do something with your little sister or big brother that they like.
Let them choose what it will be.
• If you hear your friend say something rude or impolite, remind
them how hurtful it can be to others.
• Discuss what the words “prejudice” and “stereotyping” mean.
Give specific examples.
Patriotism
Love of and devotion to one’s country.
• Learn the words to the “Star Spangled Banner.” Practice singing it together.
• Send a letter or card to a man or a woman serving in the U.S. Military.
• Hang an American flag at your house. Learn how to fold it properly for storing.
• Learn one new fact about any American President, then share it with your family.
• Remind your parents and family members to vote.
Congratulations to all the 2011/12 Kids of Character from your friends and fans at Publix
Quote:
“Respect for ourselves guides
our morals, respect for others
guides our manners.”
– Lawrence Sterne
RESPECT
Secondary Level:
RESPECT – Showing consideration, understanding
and regard for people, places and things.
Demonstrators:
1. Saying and doing what makes people feel safe and valued.
2. Looking at and listening to the person who is speaking to me.
3. Saying “please,” thank you,” “please be quiet,” and when
appropriate, “excuse me” and “I’m sorry”.
4. Leaving other’s belongings and property alone or receiving
permission to borrow or use it.
5. Honoring everyone’s right to a safe environment in which to
learn to the best of his/her ability.
6. Telling myself to be and to do my best at all times!
ACTIVITY 1:
RESPECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS!
Think about what the word “respect” means. What kind of qualities do
you respect in another person? In the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or
at www.SunSentinel.com look for an article about a person whom you
admire. In the space provided, write a list of qualities that you respect in
that person. What did that person do to earn your respect?
Qualities you respect
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
What did they do to earn your respect?
1. ________________________________________________
Elementary Level:
Activity 1: RESPECT YOURSELF
AND ALL AROUND YOU!
In order to keep the earth safe and healthy,
we need to have respect for the environment.
How do you show respect for the environment?
Do you recycle?
Do you pick up litter and throw it in the trash?
Do you do other things?
Using the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or
www.SunSentinel.com, find four examples of words and
pictures that show ways to respect the environment.
Draw a large pie chart on a separate
piece of paper. Divide your pie
chart into four “pieces” (see
illustration as a guide).
Put each example that
ex. 1
you found in a different
section of your pie chart.
Label each section to
sample
describe how you are
showing respect for the
ex. 3
environment. For example:
recycling, picking up trash,
growing flowers, etc.
Sunshine State Standards:
LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).1.6.1, LA.(3-5).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).6.4.1
2. ________________________________________________
ACTIVITY 2:
Write down a list of adjectives that describe your respectful qualities, (ex:
polite, helpful, kind). Next to each word, write about a situation in which
you used that quality to show respect, for yourself or someone else.
Qualities
situation
Polite
I helped a person cross the street.
1. ______________
1. ________________________________________
______________ ________________________________________
2. ______________ 2. ________________________________________
______________ ________________________________________
3. ______________ 3. ________________________________________
ex. 2
pie chart
ex. 4
______________ ________________________________________
4. ______________ 4. ________________________________________
______________ ________________________________________
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, LA.(6-8).4.2.3, LA.(6-8).6.4.1
7
Quote:
“A lie has speed, but the
truth has endurance.”
Edgar J. Mohn
HONESTY
Elementary Level:
ACTIVITY 1: COMIC HONESTY
HONESTY – Being truthful,
trustworthy, and sincere.
Demonstrators:
1. Taking responsibility for what I say and what I do,
even if it means there may be a consequence.
2. Sharing what I know about a situation that could
be harmful to others or to property.
3. Returning anything I find to the person who lost it,
or turning it into the proper authorities.
4. Knowing what I say & do can be counted on as true.
5. Doing all of my own work, unless collaborating on
a group project or studying with a partner or friend.
In the COMICS section of the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition. Find examples of honesty
in each comic’s story line or through what the characters are saying. Write the 5W’s
about what is happening in the strip. Be sure to write about how honesty is being
demonstrated.
ACTIVITY 2:
Draw a comic strip about yourself and
a situation in which you displayed
honesty. Remember to include all
the people (characters) that were
involved in your act of honesty. Give
your comic strip a title. Share your
“honesty comic strip” with your
class.
6. Remembering that it is easier to tell the truth
than to live a lie.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).4.2.2, LA.
(3-5).4.2.3, HE.(3-5).B.3.5, LA.(3-5).6.4.1, HA.(3-5).B.4.1,
VA.C.(3-5)1.1, VA.4.C.2.3
Secondary Level:
ACTIVITY 1: HONEST ACTIONS
Look through the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition for articles about people who were being dishonest in some
way. Write down the dishonest action(s) that you find in each article in list format on a piece of paper.
Next to each dishonest act, write the honest resolution to the situation.
dishonest action(s)honest resolution
Ex: A man robbed an electronics store.
Go into the store and pay for what you want.
In the chart provided below, write about a lie that you have told. Then fill in each line on the chart,
telling the reason for the lie, the thought behind the lie, and what the truth is about the situation.
8
lie
REASON FOR THE LIE
Ex: “I’m all finished with my science project.”
Ex: “I want to play video games instead.”
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
thought behind lie
TRUTH
Ex: “I can’t tell you the truth because you might get mad at me.”
Ex: “It’s too hard for me. I could use some help on this part.”
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, LA.(6-8).4.2.3, LA.(6-8).6.4.1
Quote:
“I’ve learned that it is easier
to stay out of trouble, than
to get out of trouble.”
H. Jackson Browne
SELF-CONTROL
Elementary Level:
ACTIVITY 1: SELF-CONTROL FOR HEALTH
SELF-CONTROL – Having discipline over
one’s behavior or actions.
Demonstrators:
1. Before I speak or act, thinking how my words and
actions can have a positive effect on myself and others,
2. Knowing that I can learn how to turn a frustrating
situation into one that will be positive and productive.
3. Understanding that rules and laws are in place so
that everyone can be safe and productive.
4. Using the power of my thoughts to control the
actions of my body, to include what I say to myself
and others.
5. Being sure that what I say and what I do is
appropriate for the time and place.
6. Always asking myself, “How will this choice help
me to fulfill my potential to be a better and healthier
person?”
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).4.2.3,
LA.(3-5).5.2.1, LA.(3-5).5.2.2, LA.(3-5).6.4.1, VA.C.(3-5)1.1, VA.4.C.2.3,
HE.(3-5).B.4.1
Keeping in shape and staying healthy takes a certain amount of self-control. Look
through the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition for activities that you could do and good foods
that you can eat to keep yourself healthy and in shape. Make a list of the foods and
activities that you find in the newspaper. Tell why and how each type of food and each
activity can help to keep you healthy.
FOODS THAT
KEEP YOU HEALTHY
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
ACTIVITIES THAT
KEEP YOU HEALTHY
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
HOW/WHY THEY DO?
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
HOW/WHY THEY DO?
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
ACTIVITY 2:
On poster board, make a chart that lists all the healthy foods you will
eat and all the exercises that you will do for one week. Each day,
look at the chart and check off the exercises you have done and the
foods that you have eaten. Have you had the self-control to obtain
your healthy goals?
Secondary Level:
ACTIVITY 1: WAIT FOR IT!
Having self-control means knowing the difference between what you need and what you want. You need clothes and food. You want to buy
a $300 stereo or eat at a fancy restaurant. Look through the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or go online to www.SunSentinel.com for the retail
advertisements. Find examples of items that are things that people need and find items that people might want. List the items in the correct
columns below. Write about why you think each item is something people need or something that people want. Be prepared to defend your
choices.
need__________________ want__________________________why?______________________________
____________________ ___________________________ _______________________________
____________________ ___________________________ _______________________________
____________________ ___________________________ _______________________________
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, LA.(6-8).4.2.3, LA.(6-8).6.2.1, LA.(6-8).6.2.2, LA.(6-8).4.2.4, LA.(6-8).6.4.1
9
TOLERANCE/ PATRIOTISM
TOLERANCE – Recognizing and
respecting differences, values, and
beliefs of other people.
Demonstrators:
1. Knowing that each of us has the right to his/
her own thoughts and beliefs.
2. Appreciating that no two people are exactly
alike and yet we all share many of the same
traits and needs.
3. Believing that when taking the time to
understand our differences, there is always
something more I can learn about myself.
4. Understanding that to recognize another’s
beliefs still allows me the right to have my own.
5. Realizing that each person’s basic need is to
feel safe and accepted as an ‘equal’.
6. I remind myself that “Differences can divide
people while diversity can strengthen them!”
Sunshine State Standards:LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).1.6.1, LA.(35).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).4.2.3, LA.(3-5).6.4.1
Quote:
“Then join hand in hand, brave
Americans all! By uniting we
stand, by dividing we fall.”
John Dickinson
Elementary Level:
ACTIVITY 1: WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT
1. Look through the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition or search magazines for three photos of
people who are in some way different from you, or you can find pictures online and print them
out. Cut out the photos, and mount them on poster board. List the physical features that you
see about the person in the photo and write them beneath each photo on the poster board.
2. Read the captions or the stories that accompany the photos, and find out what you can
about each person based on what you read. Write down all the facts found about each person.
When you have listed the facts about all the people in your photos, compare them to one
another. Find the things that they have in common, and find the things that are different.
3. On a large piece of construction paper, draw a picture of yourself. Leave space to write your
“profile.” A profile is a list of things that describe you as a person. In your profile, list your
physical traits (brown eyes, blonde hair, etc.) and list your personality traits (friendly, funny,
etc.). You may also list things you like to do: hobbies, favorite television shows, etc.
4. When you are finished, compare yourself with the photos and facts about the people that
you found in the newspaper. How much do you have in common with them? How much is
different? Share your self-portrait with your class. Talk about the things that are the same and
different about yourselves in comparison to each other.
Secondary Level:
ACTIVITY: it’s my opinion!
It is important to show tolerance and respect for other people’s
opinions. The Sun Sentinel offers a variety of editorial commentary
every day on current topics in the news.
PATRIOTISM – Love of & devotion to one’s country.
Look through the OPINION pages of the digital edition of the
Sun Sentinel. Read the editorials and the columns in this section.
Pick out an editorial or a column that talks about a topic that interests
you. Read it and decide if you agree or disagree with how the writer
feels. Write down the reasons that you agree or disagree with the
writer. Back up your reasons with facts.
Sunshine State Standards: LA.(6-8).1.7.1, LA.(6-8).4.2.2, LA.(6-8).4.2.3, LA.(6-8).5.2.2, LA.(6-8).6.4.1
Elementary Level:
ACTIVITy 2: OUT AND VOTE!
Voting is one of the special benefits of living in a free country. It is one way to show your patriotism to your country. Look through
the retail ads in the Sun Sentinel Digital Edition. On a separate piece of paper, create an ad that tells people the importance of
voting and persuades them to go out and vote. You may use words and pictures from the newspaper to create your ad.
You actually “vote” every day. Voting means that you have to make a decision about something. Sometimes you make a
decision for yourself, such as what you want to eat for breakfast (“I vote for waffles”). Sometimes you make decisions within a
group, such as what game you and your friends want to play (baseball or kickball). When you are making these decisions, you
are casting a vote for what you want to do.
Keep a list over the course of several days and write down all the things that you vote or decide about during that time. Divide
a piece of paper into two columns. On one side list all the things that you vote on by yourself. On the other side, list all the
things that you vote on with a group. Use a different sheet of paper for each day. Check your lists at the end of that time. Did
you vote the same each time in similar situations or did you vote differently each day?
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Sunshine State Standards:LA.(3-5).1.7.1, LA.(3-5).4.2.2, LA.(3-5).4.3.1, LA.(3-5).6.4.1, VA.C.(3-5).1.1, VA.4.C.2.3A.
RESOURCES
COOPERATION - September
Elementary
Weird Friends – Unlikely Allies in the Animal Kingdom,
Jose Aruego
Space Challenger: The Story of Guion Bluford,
Kathleen Benson
Secondary
Holes, Louis Sachar
The Leftover Kid, Carol Snyder
Animal Farm, George Orwell
Freak the Mighty, Rodman R. Philbrick
Websites
Between The Lions – www.pbskids.org/lions
RESPONSIBILITY - October
Elementary
Arthur’s Computer Disaster, Marc Brown
Stone Fox, John Gardiner
Secondary
Hatchet, Gary Paulsen
Tiger Woods, William Durbin
Rough Waters, S.L. Rottman
Michael Jordan, David Pietrusza
Websites
The Academy Of Achievement –
www.achievement.org
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency –
www.epa.gov/students/fun.htm
CITIZENSHIP - November
Elementary
Haimoni and the Picnic, Sook Nyul Choi
The Cabin Faced West, Jean Fritz
Secondary
Johnny Tremain, Esther Forbes
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Robert O’Brien
The March on Washington, James Haskins
Websites
Ellis Island – www.ellisisland.org
First Gov For Kids – www.kids.gov
KINDNESS - December
Elementary
The Teddy Bear, David McPhail
Four Ugly Cats In Apartment 3D, Marilyn Sachs
Secondary
The Life and Times of Mother Teresa, Tanya Rice
Catwings, Ursula K. LeGuin
Pay It Forward, Catherine Hyde
Petey, Ben Mikaelsen
Websites
Stories To Grow By – www.storiestogrowby.com
Center for Youth as Resources – www.yar.org
RESPECT - January
Elementary
I’m Sorry, Sam McBratney
The Butter Battle Book, Dr. Seuss
Secondary
The Yearling, Marjorie Rawlings
Jane Goodall, Paula Bryant Pratt
Life In The Fat Lane, Cherie Bennett
Out Of The Dust, Karen Hesse
Websites
Adventures From The Book Of Virtue -www.pbskids.org/adventures/treasurebox
/index.html
My Hero – www.myhero.com/home.asp
HONESTY - February
Elementary
A Big, Fat Enormous Lie, Marjorie Sharmat
Lincoln: A Photobiography, Russell Freedman
Secondary
Liars, P.J. Petersen
The Skull Of Truth, Bruce Coville
No Easy Answers: Short Stories About Teenagers
Making Tough Choices, Donald Gallo
Websites
Kids Can Do It – www.kidscandoit.com
University of Manitoba, Canada/Student Advocacy –
www.umanitoba.ca/student/advocacy
SELF-CONTROL - March
Elementary
The Berenstain Bears and the Bad Habit, Stan and
Jan Berenstain
Nothing But Trouble, Trouble, Trouble,
Patricia Hermes
Secondary
Diary Of A Young Girl, Anne Frank
Iron Ring, Alexander Lloyd
Emily Post’s Teen Etiquette, Elizabeth L. Post
The Ironman, Chris Crutcher
Websites
Good Character – www.goodcharacter.com
CyberSmart – www.cybersmartcurriculum.org
TOLERANCE - ApriL/May/June
Elementary
All The Colors Of The Earth, Sheila Hamanaka
The Christmas Menorahs: How A Town Fought Hate,
Janice Cohn
Secondary
Gandhi, Great Soul, John B. Severance
Daniel’s Story, Carol Matas
To Kill A Mockingbird, Lee Harper
The Devil’s Arithmetic, Jane Yolen
Websites
Anne Frank – www.annefrank.com
Southern Poverty Law Center – www.splcenter.org
PATRIOTISM
Elementary
Our National Holidays, Patricia J. Murphy
The United States Constitution, Kristal Leebrick
Secondary
Soldier’s Heart, Gary Paulsen
Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel, Avi
African American Military Heroes, James Haskins
The Man Without A Country, Edward Everrett Hale
Websites
Constitution Facts – www.constitutionfacts.com
Kids Voting USA – www.kidsvotingusa.org
Of Special Interest! – OPERATION RESPECT: Don’t Laugh at Me
The Don’t Laugh at Me Project (DLAM) is a curriculum-based program designed to establish a climate that reduces the emotional and
physical cruelty some children inflict upon each other by behaviors such as ridicule, bullying and sometimes even violence.
Founded by Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary, DLAM utilizes inspiring music and video to support special curricula and
lessons created for your classroom. DLAM is a gateway program designed to provide all educators with an entry point for year-round
social and emotional learning. The program is designed to inspire children, along with their teachers and other educators, to transform
their classrooms and schools into “Ridicule Free Zones.” For FREE materials and information go to www.dontlaugh.org
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Congratulations to all the 2011/12 Kids of Character from your friends and fans at Publix