CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Self-Improvement – WWII Veteran Refuses to Close the Book on His Life

Everyone has room to grow and develop regardless of age and ability.  Focusing on self-improvement can help us strengthen our character. 
Self-improvement
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Caring
SEL Skills
  • Self-Awareness
  • Self-Management
Academic Skills
  • Diligent Learner
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

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.
Caring
  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.
Self-Awareness

Identify and understand emotions, values, attitudes, motivations, mindsets, and personal attributes.

Self-Management

Regulate emotions, attitudes, and actions, and manage negative emotions and impulses.

Diligent Learner
Have a growth mindset and is willing to learn from mistakes.

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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
CBS News

Students will learn about the importance of self-improvement and reflect on ways they can improve a skill or character trait to help them reach a goal.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • Have you ever tried to improve something about yourself?
  • Review the elements of a SMART goal.
    • Specific: Clearly define the goal in detail.
    • Measurable: Establish criteria for measuring progress and success.
    • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic and attainable.
    • Relevant: Ensure the goal applies to personal growth and is aligned with broader objectives.
    • Time-Bound: Set a deadline or timeframe for achieving the goal
  • What does self-improvement mean?
    • Self-improvement means the improvement of one’s knowledge, status, or character by one’s own efforts.
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

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

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • How do you imagine life would be different if you never learned to read?
  • How did Ed have an “unofficial” S.M.A.R.T. goal?
  • How does Ed’s story demonstrate that age is not a barrier to learning new things? Have you ever felt too old or too young to try something new?
  • Which character skills does Ed display in his story that helped him reach his goal?
  • What can we learn from Ed about self-improvement?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Paper
  • Writing utensils
activity

Activity: S.M.A.R.T. Goals

In the video, Ed said, “Get in there and learn, baby!” We can reflect on ways we can learn about ourselves and set goals to improve some areas of our lives.

  • Set a 5-minute timer where students reflect in a quiet space to review the prompts below. Encourage them to write down their thoughts.
    • What are my strengths and weaknesses?
    • What areas of my life do I feel unsatisfied with or wish to change?
    • Where do I envision myself in the future, and what steps can I take to get there?
  • After reflection, instruct students to choose one area of self-improvement they would like to focus on. Consider creating a S.M.A.R.T. goal as a class to model this process.
  • Guide students to write a S.M.A.R.T. goal for their chosen area of self-improvement.
  • Ask students to share their S.M.A.R.T. goal with a trusted friend in the classroom.
  • Follow-up activity:
    • Why is it important to be a lifelong learner?
    • How could you use S.M.A.R.T. goals in the future?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • What are three things you like about yourself?
  • What is one thing you want to improve about yourself?
  • How can you use your strengths to help others?

6-12

  • Take a moment to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. What areas would you like to improve?
  • How does technology get in the way of self-improvement? How can it help?
  • What three goals would you like to achieve in the next month/year?
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/FGZgxML3wfY

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about self-improvement.

  • What traits or qualities does Ed display in his story?
  • What is a goal you have for your life?
    • What steps are you taking to make that goal a reality?

Activity

  • Start a family read-aloud and take turns reading it for 15 minutes daily.
  • After finishing the book, talk about the importance of working on your strengths. Can you improve something you are already good at? Why or why not?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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Des Moines, IA 50311

515-271-1910

RayCenter@Drake.edu

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