LOYALTY
Character First!® Education Series 3, Booklet 2
Definition
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to
those I serve.
Illustration
Canada geese defend their nests against all intruders and remain
faithful to one mate throughout their lifetimes. In snowstorms,
geese sitting on nests have even suffocated under heavy drifts
rather than leaving their eggs unprotected. Read on page 4 the
story of two geese whose commitment is tested to the limit.
I Will:
Women played an important role in the American Revolutionary
War. Many left the comforts of home to travel with the Continental
Army and bravely serve their country. One such heroine, named
Mary Ludwig Hays, fought courageously in her husband’s place
and became a legend in American history. Learn on page 6 some
things you might not know about the Lady of Loyalty.
• serve my family
and teachers.
• encourage others in
hard times.
Application
The way children respond to difficult times depends on the
strength of their character. Do they abandon their commitments
for selfish reasons, or prove their loyalty by doing the right thing,
even when it’s hard? Use the lessons on pages 8 through 14 to
help strengthen the inner character of your students.
• not mock authorities.
• point out the good
in others.
• honor my country.
Praise
Mentorship comes in many styles and packages. Yet it has been
proven over and over that children respect and learn from those
who demonstrate true concern and genuine love toward them.
Discover on page 15 ways to make your mentorship even more
meaningful and effective with praise.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
What Is Loyalty?
Using
LOYALTY
vs. Unfaithfulness
difficult times
to demonstrate
Loy•al•ty n. 1: the quality or state of
being faithful to a person or institution
to whom fidelity is due. 2: the tie binding a person to that to which he is loyal.
Loyalty is a word of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin
word lex, which means “law.” The basis of loyalty is principle, not circumstance. For example, a person who keeps
commitments during good times but backs down when
pressures increase is not loyal, but unfaithful.
As the winter of 1776 brought discouragement to many
patriots of the American Revolution, Thomas Paine captured the essence of loyalty by saying, “These are the
times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the
sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service
of their country….”
my commitment
to those
I serve.
2
Loyalty to Truth
When a person is involved in inappropriate or illegal activity, many people think loyal friends should help cover up
or hide wrongdoing. However, loyalty uses difficult situations to prove one’s commitment.
True loyalty points out an error and suggests ways for a
person to make corrections. If a wrong persists, a loyal person does not ignore a problem, but addresses it with those
in authority. True friends, co-workers, and family members
demonstrate loyalty by protecting others from making mistakes they might later regret. Loyalty remains faithful to
both truth and friendship.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Teaching Loyalty
The Concept of Loyalty
Loyalty is based on commitment, and every person is committed to something. When difficult and stressful times
challenge those commitments, loyalty answers back with
resolute faithfulness. Personal integrity becomes more
important than personal sacrifice and withstands any pressure to do the wrong thing.
Most individuals commit themselves to things they trust.
They remain loyal to the things which prove to be true,
honorable, and right. However, loyalty can become dangerous when an individual blindly follows after things or
leaders which prove to be wrong.
Even though lawless gang members pride themselves on
loyalty, their “loyalty” ignores other character qualities—
deference, self-control, truthfulness, generosity, gratefulness, and forgiveness. Genuine loyalty balances these character qualities and does not place “belonging to the group”
over obedience to what is right. Indeed, yielding to peer
pressure is not loyalty at all, especially if it conflicts with
what is truthful or right.
The Flood Is Coming!
Alone at her station in the central telephone office of
Folsom, New Mexico, an operator received a frantic call.
It was eleven o’clock at night on August 28, 1908, when
the young widow picked up the phone. “Mrs. Rooke,
there has been a big storm up the canyon—the river is rising rapidly and flooding toward the valley! It will probably reach your station in about 30 minutes. Get out while
you can!”
While she had plenty of time to get out, Mrs. Rooke
thought of the 200 subscribers on her phone circuit who
were also in danger. Instead of fleeing for her life, Mrs.
Rooke stayed at her station to call and warn others of the
impending danger.
The Role of Leadership
The greatest lessons of loyalty come from the life examples
of those whom children love and respect. The way parents
remain faithful to each other, teachers praise their principals, or community leaders care for their citizens are often
the best patterns for children to follow.
Because each home or school takes on the personality of its
leaders, adults have the responsibility to set a positive tone.
By stopping slanderous remarks and turning gossip into
praise, both parents and teachers can change a home, a school,
or a whole community by merely demonstrating loyalty.
Often little things make a huge impact on children. They
notice sly comments made under one’s breath, looks of
defiance, or a negative word spoken of another person.
Leaders must remember that someone always sees, and it
is usually young eyes and impressionable minds which see
the most.
Mrs. Rooke at the switchboard
Upriver, family after family fled the raging waters. Mrs.
Rooke continued to call people downriver, even after
families upriver had been warned.
“A flood is coming!” Mrs. Rooke exclaimed to a boy six
miles away, “Run for your—.” Silence indicated that the
phone lines had been broken.
The following morning, as the floodwaters subsided,
Mrs. Rooke’s body was found 12 miles downriver from
where her office had stood. The townsfolk lovingly
buried her with her telephone headpiece still adorning
her head. In the midst of danger, Mrs. Rooke risked
everything for the lives of those she served.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
3
Loyalty in Nature
I
n the western part of Canada was a
lake in the midst of a forest. Tall
trees filtered rays of sunlight as
they spotted the water below. Leaves
rustled in the wind, and birds chirped
from their nests above.
On the far side of the lake, a goose sat
patiently on a nest. Under her were four
large eggs. They were ready to hatch any
day, but until then, they required a perfect balance of warmth and protection.
The father goose, called a gander, stood
nearby to protect the mother and eggs
from harm. The two had been here
many times before. Each year they laid
their eggs and raised their young in
precisely the same place. As long as the
goose and gander lived, they would
stay together, no matter what.
For security, the geese built their nest
beside the lake so if attacked, they
could swim away to safety. However,
now that the eggs were laid, leaving the
nest was no longer an option. The gander was committed to defending his
nest against any intruder, even if it cost
him his life.
4
When they built the nest, the goose and
gander searched the woods to be sure
there were no dangerous neighbors.
They looked for raccoons in the trees
and for snakes in the ground.
Everything seemed to be fine, so they
built their nest with sticks and leaves
gathered from the forest. Soon came the
eggs, and now the geese took turns sitting on them and guarding the nest.
It was the mother’s turn to sit on the
nest, so the gander took his post like a
soldier. The sun descended behind the
trees in a fabulous display of beauty. The
sky turn yellow, then pink, then red, and
then it darkened. The only light came
from the moon and the stars overhead.
With her black bill, the mother gently
rotated her eggs to warm them evenly.
Then…they heard something move. The
geese peered through the darkness, alert
to potential danger. A large bush shook
as if something was in it. The goose and
gander watched
and waited.
One hour passed. Two hours. Three
hours passed, and the two geese stayed
awake. Any sacrifice of sleep was well
worth the safety of their eggs. They
were committed to their young, and
would never give up.
A dark shadow appeared from behind
the bush. In a flash, it ran straight for
the nest of geese! The gander jumped
out in front and spread his wings. He
honked like a trumpet blast. HONK,
HONK, HONK!! Then he lowered his
head and hissed like a cobra waiting to
strike. It frightened the intruder just
enough to slow the attack and give the
gander a slight advantage.
The enemy was a fox, hungry for its
evening meal. The fox charged the gander and tore several feathers from his
tail. In return, the gander swung its
wing around like a club and knocked
the fox to the ground.
The gander stuck out its neck and delivered sharp bites to the fox—one on the
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Loyalty in Nature
head, one on the back, and one on the
side! The two rolled back and forth in
the dirt as the battle continued.
Finally, the fox jumped in the air and
landed on the gander’s back. The gander then felt a piercing bite in the back
of his neck.
Immediately, the mother goose left her
nest and charged the attacker. She
jabbed the fox with her black bill—
WHAM, WHAM, WHAM! The fox let
go of the gander’s neck and faced the
mother. The two stared at each other for
just a few seconds. Then the fox abruptly turned and ran as fast as it could
back into the forest.
The mother goose watched the fox to be
sure it didn’t return. She saw it run
through the bushes and around trees
until it disappeared into the distance.
The geese were finally safe.
The mother turned to her eggs, now
cooling in the evening air. But as she
did, she saw her mate lying on the
ground. He didn’t
move except for an
occasional turn of
his head. She
stood over him and called loudly, but he
didn’t respond. She tapped him with
her bill, but he didn’t move.
In the moonlight, the mother goose
looked at the gander’s neck. On the
back of it, she saw the fatal marks of the
fox’s teeth.
The mother goose stood there for a
moment, but the gander didn’t move.
He had defended his family to the very
end. Their protection was worth any
sacrifice to the father goose—even his
own life.
That day, four young goslings followed
their mother out of the nest and into the
lake. Now they were safe from the
predators on land. They were alive—
because of their father’s sacrifice.
One day, these young birds would have
families of their own. One day they, too,
would face opposition. Would they
desert their own families for fear of harm
to themselves, or prove their commitment to provide and protect?
The mother goose returned to her nest,
and after a few hours, the eastern sky lit
up with the morning sun. The mother
goose awakened to find the eggs moving beneath her.
People face similar choices every day.
There is the choice to stand up for what
is right, even when everyone else makes
fun of you, to obey your authorities,
even when it makes you look strange, to
prove your commitment to those you
serve and love, even when it is hard.
She stood up and waited to see the first
egg crack from top to bottom. Out came
her first baby gosling. The others followed quickly, and soon the nest was full
of small, yellow, down-covered birds.
How will you handle hard times? How
will you treat your family, friends, country,
and beliefs? Some people run when pressure comes, while others stand strong—
loyal to the end. What will you do?
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
5
Loyalty in History
D
UM-didi-didi-DUM; DUM-didididi-DUM. The drums sounded
as a wall of soldiers in bright
red uniforms charged across the green
field. The “red wall” was unstoppable,
and the brave American defenders
retreated to higher ground.
One of the defenders was crippled by a
wound and couldn’t retreat. Then
came a woman who, without hesitation, picked up the wounded soldier
and threw him on her back! She ran up
the hill with one arm around the man
and the other holding her skirt so she
wouldn’t trip and fall.
Finally the woman reached the top of
the hill with the rest of the defenders.
She carried the wounded soldier to a
safe spot and gently laid him down on
the ground. “You’re going to be all
right, soldier,” the woman said. She
smiled down at the man and gave him
a sip of water.
In 1776, the United States of America
declared independence from Great
Britain, the largest military power at
that time. In the following years,
America’s colonists fought bravely
against the British Army for their freedom. At the Battle of Monmouth, the
soldiers from Britain, in their bright red
uniforms, attacked the Americans with
great force.
A special lady fought alongside the
American soldiers. Her name was
Mary Ludwig Hays, but most people
called her Molly Pitcher.
The day was hot, and Molly was exhausted after carrying the wounded soldier up
6
the hill. Nevertheless, she moved among
the wounded, carrying water to cool each
soldier’s parched mouth.
Molly’s husband fought in the
Continental Army under General George
Washington. Even though he was at war,
Molly stayed with her husband to help
and serve however she could.
dier swallowed and said, “Thank you,
thank you very much.”
Molly laid down his head and told him
to rest. Word spread that Molly had
water, and the men began to call,
“Molly, bring your pitcher!”
Did you spot the “I Will”? Molly
Pitcher served her family.
Instantly she ran to the men needing
water. After helping a few men, her
pitcher was empty. In a flash, she ran to
the water pump and filled her pitcher.
Molly walked by one soldier and heard
him call, “Miss…Miss!” Molly stopped
and knelt down beside him. “What can
I do for you?” she asked kindly.
As hot as it was, Molly dreamed of
what it would be like in cooler weather.
She remembered the winter she spent
with the army at Valley Forge. It was
terribly cold then.
“Water! Please, I need water,” said the
poor soldier. Molly lifted his head and
poured the cool liquid from her pitcher
into the man’s parched mouth. The sol-
At night, the men sat around the campfires and listened to Molly tell stories.
She encouraged them during the hard
winter to not give up, but to keep up
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Loyalty in History
the fight for freedom. Now she encouraged them with a little sip of water during the terrible heat.
Did you spot the “I Will”? Molly
Pitcher encouraged the men during
hard times.
Molly heard another man call,
“Molly…Pitcher!!” She ran to a young
soldier who was slumped over a rock
and gave him a refreshing sip of water.
“Thank you, ma’am,” said the soldier.
“I can’t believe General Washington
has us here in this heat! The man’s
crazy, I tell you!!”
Molly looked at the young man with a
shocked look. “Soldier, don’t mock
your commanding officer—he’s your
authority, and he feels the heat as much
as you do!”
He loves his country and doesn’t give
up in the face of battle.”
Did you spot the “I Will”? Molly
pointed out the good things in her
husband.
Mr. Hays instructed his men to fire at
will. They lit the cannon’s fuse and
turned away. CABOOOOM!!!
The British soldiers fired back with
their own muskets and cannons. Molly
dove for cover and hit the ground with
a thud. Molly looked through the
smoke to see if her husband was still
there. When she looked up, she saw her
husband stagger from a bullet wound
and collapse to the ground.
The officer agreed and Molly immediately grabbed the cannon’s ramrod.
She packed the gun powder and
wadding down its barrel and yelled,
“FIRE!” A few seconds passed and…
CABOOOOM!!!
The soldiers cheered for Molly and her
bravery. “Hurray for Molly! Hurray for
Molly Pitcher!” they cried. Molly led
her cannon crew in shot after shot
against the British Army.
The Americans fought bravely, and
soon the British were defeated. Molly
Pitcher and her cannon crew leaned
against the cannon’s wheel, exhausted.
Did you spot the “I Will”? Molly
Pitcher didn’t mock authorities.
The defending Americans lay behind
mounds of dirt at the top of the hill to
fire down at the enemy. An officer in the
distance stood and yelled, “Ready…
Aim…FIRE!” The soldiers shot their
rifles and reloaded. Smoke from the
guns surrounded the top of the hill,
making it hard to see.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but there aren’t
enough men to run this cannon,” the
officer replied. “I can help run it!”
Molly said. “Even if I have to do it all by
myself, this cannon stays here!”
Legend has it that just then, General
Washington rode up. “Good afternoon,
ma’am,” the general said. “Word has
reached me of your gallant deeds today.”
“Thank you, sir,” Molly replied, “but it
is the least I can do for my country.”
General George Washington
Molly gave one more drink to the
young soldier lying on the rock. She
looked across the hillside to see her
husband, William Hays, instructing his
men to reload their cannon.
“William!” Mary yelled as she ran
across the battlefield to his side. He
looked up at her soft eyes and whispered, “I’ll be all right, Molly.” The soldiers lifted him up and carried him
away to a safer spot.
Sergeant Hays was in charge of the cannon crew and worked hard to run it
well. Sure Molly knew his faults, but
she pointed to her husband and said to
the young soldier on the ground, “That
man works harder than anyone I know.
“We’re going to move your cannon to
the back of our lines,” Molly heard an
officer say to the crew behind her. She
turned around and faced the men.
“What’s going on?” Molly asked.
“We’ve got a battle to win!”
Did you spot the “I Will”? Molly
honored her country.
“You’re very kind, Miss Pitcher,” the
general said, “And today I proclaim
that Molly Pitcher is a sergeant in this
Continental Army!”
“Hurray for Molly! Hurray for Molly
Pitcher!” the soldiers shouted. She simply smiled in return.
History remembers well the heroic acts
of Molly Pitcher. She was a common
lady of uncommon loyalty.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
7
Will to Be Loyal
I Will Serve My Family and Teachers.
Sons and daughters who take the time to help with yard
work, prepare dinner, or complete household chores show
loyalty. Their commitment to sacrifice time and energy to
serve others instead of themselves distinguishes loyalty
from self-centeredness and disrespect.
At school, loyalty causes students to praise the good they
find in teachers rather than to make jokes about them. Loyal
students study and excel for the good of their school and
their teachers as much as for themselves.
I Will Encourage Others in Hard Times.
Everyone experiences hard times such as illness, ridicule,
discouragement, failure, financial struggle, or personal loss.
Loyal children use these times to encourage others rather
than complain about their own misfortune. They write
notes, offer comforting hugs, or make surprise visits to offer
words of encouragement.
I Will Point Out the Good in Others.
Loyalty rides out the storms of life and brightens each and
every day, regardless of the cost. Indeed, the term “fairweather friend” is the very antithesis of loyalty.
People usually find what they expect to find. If children look
for bad things in others, they will often find them. However,
if they change their focus and look for the good things in
other people, they will most likely find something worthy of
praise. Instead of assuming the worst or condemning people
hastily, loyal children maintain a positive outlook that
assumes the best until proven otherwise.
I Will Not Mock Authorities.
I Will Honor My Country.
Like every other character quality, loyalty is a choice—a choice
to honor others, whether or not they always make right decisions or handle every situation perfectly. While children may
not always understand or agree with a parent or a teacher, the
commitment to honor a person in all circumstances remains at
the heart of loyalty.
A nation such as the United States of America is a republic of
the people, by the people, and for the people. To dishonor the
nation is to dishonor its people. Certainly the government,
led and run by imperfect people, has its share of flaws.
However, loyalty responds in times of crisis, war, economic
depression, or even the failure of leaders by continuing to
honor the nation and its people without reservation.
When others make fun or ridicule teachers or parents, loyal
children change the conversation, correct misunderstandings, or defend those being attacked. Though loyalty may
bring personal ridicule or rejection, a loyal person does not
join in mocking or cutting others down.
8
Character Training Never Ends
Such was the commitment of America’s Founding Fathers.
In signing the Declaration of Independence, they signed
away their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for the sake of
their nation and its people.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Activities
Pop a Question
L O YA L T Y
(Activity)
W
I
L
Write the questions below on
16 small squares of paper. Roll
and insert
the squares
into 16 large
balloons while
deflated.
I
L
L
S
H
Blow up the balloons, and write one letter on each balloon
spelling I WILL SHOW LOYALTY. Tape the balloons to a
wall or chalkboard.
You’re grounded for a week because you broke your
W
L
O
Y
parents’ rules. One of your friends found out you
were grounded and started to talk about how unfair and
mean your parents were for grounding you. What is the
right thing to do?
Split the class into teams. Choose a volunteer from one team
to pop aLballoon andLread the question
S inside.HLet that teamO
answer the question. Pick a volunteer from the other team
and follow the same procedure. Play until all the balloons
are popped and every question has been answered.
L
S
H
O
Questions:
L
I
S
W
I
W
H
You’re going to play basketball with some of your
L
L
S
H
friends, and your younger brother, who isn’t very
good at basketball, asks if he can play too. What is the right
thing toO
do?
W
L
O
Y
L
O
W
L
S
S
I
H
L
I
You’ve been sick, and your mom said you weren’t
I
L
L
S
allowed to play at recess today, but all your friends
want toH
play soccer and
O they won’t
W have evenLteams unlessO
you play. What is the right thing to do?
L
You’re riding bikes to the store with your sister and
L
S
H
O
some friends. Your sister can’t go as fast as everyone
else, soW
she is way behind.
L She keeps
O yelling forYyou to slowA
down, but your friends are in a hurry to get to the store.
What is the right thing to do?
It’s summer
and you’reOon a picnic
with
S vacation
Habout
Wsandyour
friends.
You
are
to
eat
your
second
L
O
Y
A
L
wich when you notice your friend has nothing to eat
because he forgot his lunch. What is the right thing to do?
O
L
L
T
While your class recites the Pledge of Allegiance, a
O
Y
A
L
couple of friends laugh about a joke they heard earlier.
They start to tell the joke to you. What is the right thing to do?
H class hasOjust been letWout for recess
L and youO
Your
Y
A
L
T
can’t wait to jump rope. But as you run to get a rope,
you see one of your friends sitting on a bench crying. What
is the right
O thing to do?
W
L
O
Y
O
Your teacher instructs you to get a book from the
A
L
T
Y
library and return to class immediately. You find the
book and are ready to take it back when the librarian asks
you to help
W her put Lbooks on theOshelf. WhatYis the rightA
thing to do?
A
W
You’re walking home from school and you see one of
L
T
Y
your classmates pushing your brother around. What
is the right
L thing to do?
O
Y
A
L
L
L
S
O
O talkingYto a friend A
T
and she startsLto say mean
H You’re
O
W
L
O
things about one of your classmates. What is the right
thing to do?
W
Y
L
Your grandmother who lives next door is sick and
H
O
W
L
can’t get out of bed. She is really lonely. What is the
right thing to do?
A
You’re talking
with O
a group of friends
you want
to
L
Y
A
impress, and one starts to make fun of your sister.
What is the right thing to do?
W
A closeW
friend has just
youLthat he found
I told
Lat$10
underneath
the
teacher’s
desk.
He
is
all
excited
his
S
H
O
W
L
“good luck.” What is the right thing to do?
O
Y
You promised
your grandfather
that you would help
T
Y
him rake his yard right after school today, but one of
your friends has just invited you to ride his new bike. What
is the right thing to do?
T
O
Y
A
L
T
Your parents will have company over for dinner in a
Y
few hours. Your mom isn’t able to clean the house
because the dinner takes longer to prepare than she thought
it would. Your dad can’t help because he is still at work. All
you hadYplanned was
Ato play outside.
L WhatTis the rightY
thing to do?
Y
Your parents have gone out for the evening and your
older
A sister watches
L you while
T they are gone.
Y Your sister asks you if you want to watch a TV show that you know
you’re not allowed to watch. What is the right thing to do?
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
9
Y
Activities
Family Magnets
(Craft)
Give each child a button for every member of his or her
family, including themselves. Direct children to glue the
buttons onto a large craft stick and decorate using wiggly
eyes, elbow macaroni or paper mouths, and yarn for hair.
Cut 2" pieces of magnet tape. When the glue dries, have the
children place a magnet strip on the back of their craft sticks.
Supplies:
• A variety of large buttons
• Large craft sticks
• Wiggly eyes
• Magnet tape
• Elbow macaroni
• Yarn
• Glue
• Paper
Points To Ponder:
Ways Children Can Show Loyalty to Their Family:
• Children can serve their parents by helping with household
chores and taking care of younger brothers and sisters.
Memory Work
• Most families go through hard times. Children can help
pull their families together by trying to encourage parents and siblings when they struggle.
I will serve and honor teachers,
All those in charge of me;
And instead of making fun of them,
I’ll praise the good I see.
• Children ought to say good things about their parents
and siblings and not tell everyone about their faults.
I’ll be loyal to my country
In the things I do and say.
I’ll encourage those around me,
When they have a rotten day.
• It is easy to see faults in brothers and sisters, but if children look for the good qualities in their siblings’ lives,
and praise them in these areas, they will have much better relationships.
Before me lies an open map,
The choice is mine to make.
I’ll live a life of character,
And that’s the road I’ll take!
10
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Activities
Character Cards
Molly Pitcher
Remind the children to prove their commitment in hard
times by distributing the Loyalty Character Card. Review the
“I Will” commitments on the back of the card and the lesson of the Canada goose. Make practical applications of the
“I Wills” to life at school and at home. Use personal illustrations to encourage others to demonstrate loyalty to family, neighbors, schoolmates, or country.
CABOOOOM! CABOOOOM!
The cannons sounded with a
regular rhythm. Then a man
fell wounded. It was said
there weren’t enough men to
load the cannon, and it needed to be pulled back.
However, a woman stepped
forward and took up where
her wounded husband left off.
lt
ent
ficu
g dif mitm .
Usin y com I serve
m ose
e
t
a
nstr
to th
emo
to d
ess
hfuln
nfait
vs. U
Y
ALT
Y
O
L times
CHARAC
TER FIR
ST!
Pitcher’s bravery at the canMary Hays followed her hus- Molly
non helped win the victory in the
band and the Continental Battle of Monmouth, and freedom
Army during the American for the United States of America.
Revolution to help however
she could. After the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey,
Mary became known as the legendary Molly Pitcher.
3
.
hers
teac
and
s.
mily
time
y fa
hard
ve m
r
in
e
s
s
r
l
othe
I wil
rage
.
cou
ities
l en
thor
I wil
rs.
k au
othe
moc
t
o
od in
ln
o
il
g
w
e
I
ut th
int o
y.
l po
I wil
ountr
y
m c
onor
h
l
il
Iw
Canad
The story on page 6 is based on Molly’s heroic actions on
the battlefield in 1778. Her loyalty to both husband and
country is a credit to women everywhere.
a Goos
e
I Will Be Loyal to You
I Will Be Loyal to You
R. Greenlaw
Robert Hulson
3
3
&b 4
˙ œ œ ˙ œœ œ œ œ
Ó
˙.
œ
When
you have hard times and all
come. Through sun-shine or
&b ˙ œ
rain, when no
help can be
˙ œœ ˙ œ
˙.
I'll
˙.
˙ œœ ˙ œ œ œ œœ
œ
&b ˙
be
there to the
end
with
you.
found,
o - thers are
gone,
œœ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ
I will be
there when the
œ œ œ œ œ
œ œ œœ
Things may seem
hope-less but
˙.
trou-bles have
˙ Œ
just look a - round!
œ œ œ . Jœ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ
œ
œ
œ
œ
I'll do my
best to be
faith-ful and true. Through the
hard - est of
days we will
2
& b œ œ œ œ Œœ œ œ œ œ œ Œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ
choose the right
way.
My com - mit - ment I'll
prove,
Yes,
I will
be
loy - al to
˙.
˙.
you.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
11
Activities
The Flag of Fort McHenry
(Story)
After reading this story, teach “The Star-Spangled Banner” for
children to quote or sing.
BOOM! BOOM! CABOOOM!! Rockets lit up the sky as cannons fired shot after shot! The air was thick with smoke as
one lone man stood amidst the frenzied activity of many
sailors. He struggled against the rocking of the ship and
strained his eyes to see through the smoke. He could barely
see the outline of a flag waving in the wind. But as the night
grew darker the outline faded into blackness.
It was September 13, 1814. Great Britain and the United
States had been at war for two years. A fleet of British ships
were now in the harbor outside of Baltimore. The only thing
that stood between the British fleet and the American people
was Fort McHenry. If the fort fell, Baltimore would be left to
the mercy of the British soldiers. A 30-foot flag waved over
the fort, representing its freedom.
One American man was in the midst of another type of battle. Francis Scott Key had boarded, under truce, one of the
British ships to beg for the life of a friend who had been
taken prisoner unjustly. When the captain heard the truth,
he freed Mr. Key’s friend, but wouldn’t let the men go until
after the battle. Stranded on the ship, Francis Key and his
friend watched helplessly as the British blasted the fort with
cannon fire.
They were filled with fear as they spent a sleepless night in an
agony of suspense. One thought raced through their tortured
minds: “Would Fort McHenry be able to stand?” Their homes,
their families, and their freedom were at stake. When the cannons finally stopped, the night was dark, and there was no
way of knowing if the flag still flew over Fort McHenry. They
could do nothing but wait for the light of dawn.
As the first rays of sunlight peeked through the clouds, Mr.
Key and his friend looked across the water. Through the
mist and fog they saw the American flag still waving proudly. The two men jumped into the air, full of joy. Mr. Key
shouted “The flag—our flag—it’s still there!” He pulled out
his pen and furiously scribbled the emotions he felt in his
heart. Later the words were put to music. We know that
song today as The Star-Spangled Banner.
12
O! say, can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there;
O! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Verse Two:
On the shore, dimly seen through the mist of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream;
‘Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Verse Three:
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country, shall leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution;
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
Verse Four:
O! thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must: when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Activities
I Pledge Allegiance…
Friends Stick Together
(Craft)
(Craft)
When children recite the Pledge of Allegiance, they place
their hands over their hearts and stand up straight as an act
of loyalty. Most children know the pledge by heart, but few
understand all the sacrifices a national flag represents.
Remind children to stick together during hard times by
making “Stick-together Chains.” Unite the whole school by
asking each class to make its own chains. Connect the chains
together and display the school-wide chain throughout the
school’s hallway.
Take this opportunity to teach the meaning of the colors,
stars, and stripes on the American flag. Cut several sheets of
white paper into strips 5/8" wide. Cut sheets of blue paper
into fourths. Give each student one blue rectangle, six white
stripes, and a whole sheet of red paper.
Instruct students to space the white stripes evenly on their
red paper, and glue them down to make the thirteen stripes
of the flag. (The top and bottom stripes should be red.) Glue
the blue rectangle on the corner of the flag, and add starshaped stickers. When the flag is finished, lead the class in
the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supplies:
• White, blue, and red paper
• Star stickers
• Glue
• Scissors
The 13 stripes
represent the
13 original
colonies. The
stars on a blue
field represent
the current
number of states
in the Union.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic
for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Assign students to write a research paper on a man or
woman from history who demonstrated loyalty to country.
Include drawings or pictures of the events that took place.
Suggested Historical Figures:
• George Washington
• Patrick Henry
• Paul Revere
• John Jay
• Benjamin Rush
• Martha Washington
• Nathan Hale
• Betsy Ross
• Noah Webster
• Francis Scott Key
Make a template for the children by folding a piece of paper
in half and drawing a person on one side. Be sure one hand
reaches the fold. Instruct the children to cut out the figure
without cutting the hands apart.
Allow the children to color one of their “friends” to look like
themselves (clothes and hair) and the other “friend” to look
like someone else in the class or a family member. When the
children are finished coloring, staple or tape the rows
together and hang the chain on the wall to remind the children to “Stick Together.”
Variation:
Fold a sheet of paper into accordion pleats. Draw and cut
multiple figures. Keep the hands uncut along each fold line.
Open the paper to find a whole row of “friends”!
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
13
Little Ideas
Definition for Young Children
Loyalty is not giving up
on other people.
History Alive!
(Story)
The following is an adaptation from the history story, “Lady of
Loyalty.” Tell it in your own words and use the repeatable phrases
written in italics to involve the children.
Props:
• Empty pitcher
• Yardstick
D
UM-didi-didi-DUM; DUM-didi-didi-DUM. (Pat legs to
make drum sounds.) The American soldiers heard
the drums in the distance, slowly moving closer. It was the
American Revolution in 1778, when the British army was
about to attack again. DUM-didi-didi-DUM; DUM-didididi-DUM.
The British soldiers marched into sight, and the battle began.
The sun beat down on the tired American soldiers as they
fought. Their mouths became dry and they were very thirsty.
A woman called Molly carried a pitcher of water and gave
drinks to the thirsty men (hold empty pitcher). Whenever
they called out “Molly, Molly Pitcher!” (hold hands beside
mouth as if shouting), she ran to give them water.
Molly’s husband was also in the battle, and his job was to
fire one of the American cannons. He worked very hard to
keep the cannon working.
One of the soldiers cried, “Molly, Molly Pitcher!” Molly
quickly ran over and gave the tired soldier a drink. Then she
heard someone else cry, “Molly, Molly Pitcher!” She picked
up her pitcher and moved toward the wounded soldier who
called her. As the soldier gulped down the water, Molly saw
the British soldiers come closer to the American lines.
The American soldiers ran for cover, and some of them yelled
for Molly to run. With no time to waste, she picked up the
wounded man and ran as fast as she could. She finally reached
shelter, and someone else called, “Molly, Molly Pitcher!”
14
Molly picked up her pitcher and gave another man a
refreshing drink of water. In the distance, she saw her husband standing at his cannon. He told his men what to do
and fired at the enemy. Just then, the enemy fired back and
wounded Molly’s husband.
Molly dropped her pitcher and ran to her husband. He was
wounded, but alive. They took him away to safety and
started to move the cannon because there weren’t enough
people to load it.
The brave wife thought about what to do and said, “Don’t
move the cannon! I’ll take my husband’s place!” She rolled
up her sleeves and went to work. They loaded the cannon
with powder and packed everything down with a rod
(yardstick). The soldiers around her started to shout and
cheer. They yelled hurray for “Molly, Molly Pitcher!”
Molly and the soldiers fought hard, loading their cannon.
Though hot and tired, the Americans didn’t give up. After a
long hard battle, the Americans finally won!
At the end, General George Washington rode up on a horse
and thanked Molly for taking her husband’s place and
defending her country. The other soldiers gathered around
and all cheered hurray for, “Molly, Molly Pitcher!”
Molly’s Pitcher
(Craft)
Make a reminder of Molly’s loyalty by drawing a simple
pitcher and copying it onto colored paper for each child. Let
the children cut out their pitchers and write I Will Be Loyal
at the top of one side. Cut small squares of colored tissue
paper, crinkle them into wads, dip them into a tray of glue,
and fill the pitcher until it is half-full.
Supplies:
• Colored paper
• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencils
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
Praising for Loyalty
Meaningful Mentorship
Ways to Praise
Mentoring is an important part of character development. It represents a relationship built out of true concern, appreciation, and
respect. Meaningful mentors give wise counsel and pass on lessons
learned from years of prior experience. By sharing lessons from their
past, mentors help others avoid the same mistakes and failures.
Praise children for the following:
Mentors, to be meaningful, must also learn to love others for who
they are, not what they do. They must recognize and praise the attitudes and commitments which bring about success rather than
focusing only on the end products of success.
• Showing friendship to those who are
“picked on.”
The following suggestions are intended to help make mentoring
more effective and meaningful:
• Praising other family members instead of
talking in a bad way about them.
• Listen more than you talk.
• Ask more than you tell.
• Do more than you promise.
• Praise more than you correct.
• Show up more often than you offer regrets.
• Challenge more than you excuse.
• Point out good qualities more than bad qualities.
• Correctly saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Paying attention to the teacher rather than
to distractions.
• Getting approval before carrying out plans.
• Learning patriotic songs.
• Contributing their best to the class.
• Refraining from gossip.
The Meaning of a Name:
Character Highlight
A creative way to show appreciation for students is to create a bulletin board featuring a different child each week. Displaying the student‘s favorite interests (color, animal, character quality, hobby,
sports), the meaning of his or her name, and photographs, draws
attention to that student’s uniqueness. Display “Praise Reports” written by classmates describing how the featured child demonstrated
one or more character qualities.
Find a book giving the meaning of names.
Look up the name of each student, and use for
the following:
• Give a bookmark as a praise award with the
child’s name and meaning on it.
• If you see a child living up to the meaning
of his or her name, use that in the context of
your praise. For instance, “Emily” means
“hardworking and ambitious.” When you
see Emily working diligently, tell her she is
living up to the meaning of her name.
• Include the meaning of a child’s name on
your character bulletin board.
Thanks for
sticking with it.
Loyalty
Date:
Signed:
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute. May be reproduced for educational use only.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.
15
LOYALTY
Coloring
Fun
Make copies of
the picture on
the left. Let
students color
and take home.
Copying guide:
Choose “enlarge”—
8.5 x 11 to 11 x 17
(129%) to fill an
8.5 x 11 page.
Be sure to choose
the “8.5 x 11”
paper source.
Some copiers
may require
repositioning
the page on the
copier to copy
only the area to
be colored.
Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute. May be reproduced for educational use only.
Teaching Tips
Character Kick-off
Does Everyone Understand?
Start your morning on the right note by reviewing the
character quality you have studied. In class or over the
school intercom, say the definition, “I Wills,” song, or
memory work together. Invite different children to report
how they have demonstrated character in their lives.
Many children are not familiar with animals such as the
canada goose. To help them understand, use posters,
stuffed animals, science books, or other literature. Take
time to answer the children’s questions. The character lesson may open new fields of interest and motivate learning.
© Copyright 1999 Character Training Institute, 520 West Main, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. Character First is a Registered Trademark of the Character Training Institute.