CHARACTER COUNTS! Kindness 101

Values in Action – Officers Witness Remarkable Squirrel Rescue

We put our values into action every day. It is important to know what our values are, so we make sure our actions are aligned with what we believe in.

Values into Action
Grade Level: K-12
 
Character Skills
  • Trustworthiness
  • Good Citizenship
SEL Skills
  • Responsible Decision-Making
  • Social Awareness
Academic Skills
  • Self-Direction and Engagement

Definitions

Trustworthiness
  • Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
  • Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do.
  • Keep your promises.
  • Be loyal. Stand by your values.
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.

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 reflect on how values impact our actions.

Download Google Slides
activiate prior knowledge

Activate Prior Knowledge

  • What do you think about when making a decision? For example, what things would you consider when deciding to do homework or play video games?
  • What is the definition of values?
    • Values are the things and ideas most important to us that influence how we live our lives.
  • What are some examples of values (family, respect, etc.)?
  • How do our values influence our decisions?
Kindness 101

Kindness 101 Video

discussion

Discussion Prompts

  • What values do you think Chris has based on his decision to save the squirrel?
  • Would you have made the same decision that Chris made? Why or why not?
  • We make decisions every day that can have big and small impacts. Why do small decisions and impacts matter?
  • What values do we have in our classroom? How do our actions reflect that?
materials

Activity Materials

  • Paper (cut sheets into thirds)
  • Markers, crayons, colored pencils
activity

Activity: Character Bumper Sticker

  • Using the strips of paper, ask students to create a character bumper sticker.
  • Bumper stickers can include character words, life values, and other important things to remember.
  • It should be short and memorable so that anyone can apply it to their life.
  • Encourage students to be creative and make a visual that you could display around your school building. Examples:
    • “Sometimes when nobody’s looking, and people do the right thing, it kind of shows who they really are.” (Said by a policeman in the video.)
    • Be trustworthy and keep promises.
    • Character is who you are when no one is looking.
    • Treat others how you want to be treated.
  • Follow-up question:
    • Besides your own bumper sticker, which classmate’s sticker would you choose to have and focus on?
journal prompts

Journal Prompts

K-5

  • How do you want people to describe you?
  • How do your actions show what kind of person you are? Why is this important?

6-12

  • One of the police officers says, “Sometimes, when nobody’s looking and people do the right thing, it kind of shows who they really are.” What kind of person do you show that you are when no one is looking?
  • What do you value? Why? How can you make sure your actions show your values?
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/eFvL-fUjt3g

Discuss
Use these questions to start meaningful conversations about values in action.

  • What does our family value? How do you know?
  • Are the things we value and our actions in alignment? Why or why not? How can we make sure they are aligned?
  • How do your actions represent our family?

More Kindness 101

CHARACTER COUNTS! Lessons and Activities

 

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RayCenter@Drake.edu

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