CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Everyday Heroes – 20-Year-Old on a Nationwide Mission to Interview WWII Veterans

Superheroes are well known for their super strengths and abilities. The everyday heroes in our lives deserve recognition for the good they do, too.

Everyday Heroes
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Respect 
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Relationship Skills 
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Respect 
  • Follow the Golden Rule.
  • Be accepting of differences.
  • Be courteous to others.
  • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Good Citizenship 
  • Do your share to make your home, school, and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.
Relationship Skills 

Create positive relationships and meaningful connections with family members, classmates, and teachers.

Social Awareness

Assess and be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.

Curiosity and Passion

Enthusiastic to understand more about themselves, others, and the world around them.

Self-Direction and Engagement

Fully engaged in the educational process and connected to the school community.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
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The Ray Center at Drake University
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Students will explore the concept of heroism and reflect on the qualities that make someone a hero.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • Who is your favorite superhero? What makes someone a superhero? 
  • What is the definition of a hero?
    • A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How does the idea of a superhero differ from a hero in real life? 
  • What characteristics must someone have to be a hero? 
  • Why is it important to recognize people for the work they do to help others? 
  • Do you think people who help others get enough recognition?
materials

Activity Materials

activity

Activity: Create a Superhero

  • Ask students to share the characteristics of a superhero and make a class list. 
  • Invite students to create their own superheroes. Students can draw their own superhero or color the superhero provided (boy superhero/girl superhero).
  • Prompt students to use the class’s characteristic list to help create their superhero.
  • Follow-up questions:
    • Who is your inspiration for your superhero?
    • What abilities does your superhero possess? 
    • Who would your superhero care for or rescue?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Who are the heroes in our community? 
  • How can we show respect and gratitude to someone who has served others?

6-12

  • Think about someone in your life whom you consider a hero. What qualities or characteristics do you believe make them heroic? 
  • How can we show respect to people who are heroes in our community? 
  • Describe a time when you have done the right thing without being recognized for it.
family connection

Family Connection

Educators: Copy the Family Connection and email it to parents, or click here to download a PDF version to email or print.

Watch
Watch the video as a family: https://youtu.be/UJKnJjG6PYc

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about everyday heroes.

  • What qualities or characteristics make people heroic? 
  • Does anyone have the power to be a hero? How? 

Activity

  • Reflect on your family history and share stories of relatives who you consider to be heroes.  

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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