CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Integrity - 6th-Grader's Note Leads to Justice in Hit-and-Run

We show integrity when we act according to our values, even when it is difficult.

Integrity
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Fairness
SEL Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Critical and Creative Thinking

Definitions

Responsibility
  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.
Fairness
  • Play by the rules.
  • Take turns and share.
  • Be open-minded. Listen to others.
  • Don’t take advantage of others.
Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

Social Awareness

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

Critical and Creative Thinking

Acquire, remember, understand, and apply knowledge.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
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The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News

Students will learn about integrity from Zyera Griffin, a sixth grader who chooses to be honest with a hit-and-run victim. Students will apply the concept of integrity to real life situations.

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activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • Think of a time when you tattled or reported a situation involving another classmate. How did you feel when you did this?
  • How does it make you feel to see someone do something wrong, but they don’t get caught? 
  • What does integrity mean?
    • Integrity means being true to our values and morals.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How did Zyera show integrity in the video?
  • What would you have done if you were Zyera?
  • When is showing integrity challenging?
activity

Activity: Bystander Scenarios

  • Split the class into five groups. Give each group one of the following scenarios (or ask students to make up their own based on these examples):
    • You see a student help themselves to an extra dessert in the cafeteria without paying.
    • You witness two friends cheat on a test that you studied hard for.
    • You see a neighbor drive past a school bus with its flashing lights on.
    • A friend shows you a bracelet they found in the gym. They decide to keep it for themselves, even though it isn’t theirs.
    • You saw two students add graffiti to the bathroom stalls.
  • Discussion questions for small groups:
    • What are the risks of reporting this issue?
    • On a scale of 1-5, how difficult would it be to report what you saw?
    • What ramifications might there be for not reporting the infraction?
    • Think about what Zyera said in the video. “When you see someone doing something wrong, you have to do something right.” How does that apply to your group’s scenario?
  • Have each group stand and share the scenario aloud to the class.
  • After the scenario is shared, everyone in the class will rate how difficult it would be to report the situation on a scale of 1-5 by holding up that number of fingers (one being the least difficult and five being the most difficult).
  • Follow-up question:
    • In the scenarios that you rated difficult to report, what made it difficult?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • Write about a time when you saw someone getting away with something they did wrong. Describe how it made you feel.
  • Do you think Zyera did the right thing? Would you have done the same thing? Why or why not?

6-12

  • Describe the difficulties involved in reporting wrongdoing to someone of authority. What feelings are involved? What are the risks in reporting it?
  • Think about the negative connotations of being a “snitch.” As a bystander, what are some situations you would report? What are some situations that you would never report? Explain why.
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/ZbsF6wlJsQ8

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about integrity.

  • Is it hard to be honest if it means telling on someone you know?
  • Does justice need to be served with every infraction?
  • What risks does a bystander take when standing up for what is wrong?
  • What lesson did Zyera’s mom instill in her? How do her actions show her true character?

Lesson contributed by Nancy Ridge, Lutz Elementary School, Pittsburgh, PA

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