CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Justice – Early Learning Center Honors Civil Rights Leader Thanks to Young Activist

When we work for justice, we advocate for fairness.
Justice
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Curiosity and Passion
  • Diligent Learner

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.
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.
Responsible Decision-Making

Make decisions based on rationality, ethics, and effectiveness.

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.
Diligent Learner

Exhibit a growth mindset and willingness to learn from mistakes.

Learn more about our character, SEL, and academic outcomes.
Share This Activity
The Ray Center at Drake University
CBS News
Students will learn about justice through an inspiring story of a young student advocating for a community member. Students will develop an understanding of responsibility, empathy, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What is something you believe in strongly and would advocate for?
  • What does justice mean?
    • Justice is the idea that everyone should be treated in a fair way.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

Click here for the shortened video (best for secondary students).

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How can we honor courageous advocates in our community?
  • What impact did Sarah’s work have on the community? On Edwin Pratt’s relatives?
  • What different forms can justice take? How did you see this in the video?
  • How did Sarah show social awareness and sensitivity to the needs of others?
  • What does justice look like at school?
materials

Activity Materials

activity

Activity: Civil Rights Leaders Walk

  • Post images and information around the room of influential activists who courageously stood up for their beliefs.
    • Consider including someone from your community.
  • Ask students to take a Civil Rights Leaders Walk to learn more about people who have contributed to the freedoms we enjoy.
    • Students will complete a 3-2-1 handout while on their walk.
      • 3 things you learned
      • 2 characteristics or attributes you recognized across all of the civil rights leaders
      • 1 question you have
  • Follow-up questions:
    • What was something that surprised you during the activity?
    • What did these leaders teach you about justice and taking responsibility for your own community?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What does justice mean to you?
  • Why is it sometimes challenging to stand up for what you believe in?
  • If you could honor someone in your life who has made you better, who would it be, and why would you want to honor them?

6-12

  • How can you practice justice on a daily basis?
  • What is an injustice you want to stand up against?
  • How does activism change society?
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/qPfNr9vq5tg

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about good citizenship.

  • How did Sarah demonstrate responsible citizenship?
  • How does justice relate to good citizenship?
  • Who could you honor in the community for all they do for others?

Activity

  • Create a family tree activity where students research and share stories of family members who have positively impacted their communities, highlighting acts of kindness, leadership, or advocacy.

  • Collaborate on a creative project, such as writing letters to elected officials advocating for a cause, creating artwork inspired by themes of citizenship, or composing songs or poems expressing messages of hope and unity to promote family bonding and shared values of citizenship and empathy.

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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