Character Education Principles:

How character traits are implemented into the classroom

Jordan Brown

Courtney Chamberland

Christina Morris

Education 410-001

Dr. Michelle Goodwin

September 5, 2007
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Introduction

As said by Martin Luther King Jr., “The function of education is to teach one to think

intensively and to think critically... Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true

education.” While the education and intelligence of our students is imperative, it’s their character

that defines who they are and who they will become. Character is made up of core ethical values

that incorporate ones thought process, emotions, and actions. In order to have an efficient

learning environment, students must learn the basic character principles such as; honesty,

courage, respect, responsibility, perseverance, cooperation, self-control, and citizenship. In using

these principles in a third grade classroom the students will acquire the ability to develop

meaningful character traits and qualities.

Honesty

Honesty is the act of telling the truth. Webster’s Dictionary describes it as the act of

showing uprightness and fairness. Honesty is one of the most important attributes one can hold

and becomes especially important when entering the classroom. The teacher will implement

honesty into the classroom by reading a children’s book and using fun activities that the students

can relate to.

English

The students will learn a lesson in honesty and why it is so important to be

honest. The teacher will read the book, Pinocchio by, Walt Disney. This
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book will help children understand the meaning of being honest and the benefits of being

truthful. Following the reading the students will write down different ways they can be

honest. The teacher will then take their honesty statements and post them on the honesty

bulletin board. This will be a reminder for the students to always be honest. The

students will be using the Virginia Standard of English 3.9.

Math

The students will be learning how to read and write six digit numbers. Once they have

written the numbers, they will learn the place value of each number. The teacher will explain to

the students the importance of place value. The students will then create bingo cards writing six

digit numbers in the blank spaces. The teacher will call out single digits and name the place

value it should represent. If the students have the number in the correct place value they will

mark it as correct. This will help to show the students how the numbers hold a truth value. If the

numbers did not have a truth value, the six digit numbers would not represent the number value

that it does. The students will be using the Virginia Standard of math 3.1.

Science

The students will complete an observation project where they collect leaves and observe

their physical properties. They will take a trip outside as a class and collect as many leaves as

they can in the given amount of time. When the students return to the classroom they will then

observe each leaf and write down the physical properties they observe. After the students have

finished their observing they will gather the data and create different charts to plot the data on.
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The students will recognize how honesty can relate with their observations in order to create the

charts. If the students lie and write down false information the charts will not display the true

properties that leaves have and the charts cannot be used. The students will be using the Virginia

Standard of science 3.1.

Social Studies

The students will research the history of the U.S. government including the formation of

the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the reason for laws and rule. The

students will understand the reason for laws and how they protect the people and allow them

rights. They will see how important it is to be honest and truthful and the consequences of being

dishonest. They will also see how the laws protect the rights and honesty of the people.

The students will then take the knowledge that they have gained through their research

and create their own government. The teacher will split the class up into two different groups.

The objective will be to create classroom rules. One group will create the rules which will

represent the Declaration of Independence, and the second group will come in and make changes

to the rules or add some rules which will demonstrate the Bill of Rights. They will learn the

importance of honesty and respect through creating these rules. The students will use the

Virginia Standard of Social Science/Civics 3.10.

Courage

Courage can be defined as, a steady course of action, a purpose, a state, especially in spite

of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Courage is a characteristic that should be practiced

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by all age groups and can especially be helpful to the elementary children. Concepts can be

difficult for them to learn or they may be teased by their peers, but it is important for them to

have courage through it and not give up.

English

The students will join in a group activity that will discuss the diversity

among the students. They will also discuss the problem of teasing among students due to

their differences. They will do an activity found in the Don’t Laugh at Me Packet called

the Power Shuffle. The teacher will have the students talk with one another and write down

information about one another concerning their culture and customs. The teacher will then

have the students discuss the differences that were found among one another.

After this the teacher will divide the room in half with masking tape and will

call out different culture groups that were mentioned. If the students belong to that group

the students will step out over the line and see the other students that are part of that

group. The students will learn that it’s okay to be different and it is not polite to tease

one another just because they have different qualities. The students will also learn to display

courage even if they are teased and to be proud of who they are. By stepping over the tape

and proclaiming the group that they are part of, they are showing courage and bravery in

standing up for themselves. The teacher will then have a debriefing period for the students to

discuss what they have learned. The students will be using the Virginia Standard of English3.1.
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Math

The students will review how to read and write decimals expressed as tenths and

hundredths. They will use different concrete materials to represent these decimals. The students

will then review the addition and subtraction of decimals using a game called Bingo Blitz. The

teacher will have a list of 25 decimal equations and a list of the answers. The teacher will

display the answers and the students will pick whatever answers they want to fill in the blanks on

their bingo card. The teacher will then call out certain equations and the students will have to

work out the problems using either scrap paper or the concrete materials. If they have an answer

to that equation on their card then they can mark it. The students will develop courage in

learning how to add and subtract decimals because this is a more difficult concept to learn. The

students will need to strive and not give up in order to come up with the correct answer. The

students will use the Virginia Standard of math 3.7.

Science

The students will discuss the process of the water cycle and the importance of water. The

teacher will read a book to the students called, Every Body Counts, Every Drop Matter by, Donna

L. Goodman. This book explains what the water cycle is and has diagrams that show the process

of the water cycle. The teacher will show the students the diagram of the water cycle and will

then provide them with a blank diagram of the water cycle with a word bank. The students will

fill in the blanks using the words provided. The students will see how courage can pertain to

things in nature as well as human beings. They will see the courage of the water in the aspect

that the water works extremely hard along with other natural behaviors to complete the water
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cycle which is necessary for living things. The students will be using the Virginia Standard of

science 3.9.

Social Studies

The students will learn the formation of the Republican government and the importance

of the basic principles that helped to form it. They will learn about important people that had a

significant effect on that time period such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas

Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., and others. They will see the courage and bravery that these

men had and how they displayed their perseverance through their actions. They will see how

they did not give up and fought for what they believed in. They will see how their courage

caused them to be the most influential leaders of our country. They will also study the important

holidays that are celebrated to recognize and honor these people. The students will use the

Virginia Standard of social studies 3.11.

Respect

Everywhere in the world today people are either showing others respect or disrespect.

Being respectful to others is a task that every person should perform on a daily basis. One can

show respect by actions, performing tasks, or words. Respect should be shown to everyone, no

matter how one chooses to do it. Respect shows that someone appreciates and cares about

another. In the teachers guide, “Don’t Laugh Me,” it states that “…children discover that

everyone can be winners when they work together” (2000, p. 29). Students need to have respect

for each other and the world around them. In the book, I Love You with All My Heart by Noris

Kern, a young polar bear shows respect to his mother by telling her he loves her. In return the
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mother bear shows her son respect and love by saying how much she loves him and how much

he means to her. A book, such as this one, is important to read to young children because it

teaches them that a simple statement can make another person feel so special and important.

English

The teacher will incorporate I Love You with All My Heart into the English period by

using an interesting writing exercise. First, the teacher will review the book with the students so

that the teacher knows the students fully understand the meaning of the book. Then the teacher

will explain how important it is to tell parents how much they are loved each day and how

respectful it is to do so. Then the teacher will tell the students that they will have fifteen to

twenty minutes to write a letter to their parents telling them how grateful they are for parents like

them. The students will have to write in their best manuscript and will have to include three

incidents they can remember where their parents showed them how much they loved them. The

second paragraph of the letter will include a question that the students have to ask their parents.

The students will have to ask their parents “what do you love me with?” The teacher will remind

the students that they are asking this question because that is what young Polo asked his mom in

the story. Then the students will end their letter with a thank you and how much they love their

parents. This exercise will not only help the students learn to write better, but will also help the

students to understand how important it is to show respect to others.

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Math

In the story Polo tells his mom that he loves her with the greatest of love. So with the

key word “greatest,” the teacher will begin the math lesson by telling the students that they are

going to learn and review about greater or less than in the class period. First, the teacher will

write the three main symbols on the board so that the students can learn and recollect what each

of them mean (<, >, and =). After the teacher is done introducing the symbols, the teacher will

give the students a short worksheet so that they can write out what each symbol means. Then the

teacher will incorporate technology by going to softschools.com and playing a game with the

students called “Less than Greater than Game.” The students will be broken into two groups and

will have to answer the questions that are shown on the screen. Whichever team gets to ten first

will win. This game is good for students because it allows them to learn a task, but in a fun and

interesting manner. The game is also good because it allows the teacher to enter the minimum

and maximum numbers allowed in the game.

After the students are completed with the game the teacher will pass out construction

paper and markers. The teacher will explain that each student can pick any number they want as

long as it is between zero and fifty. She will also explain that the paper has to have the number

written big and that it has to be decorated. Once the students are done they will have to arrange

their numbers in order with the other student’s numbers. Once the numbers are in order the

teacher will hang the numbers up on a clothesline. Then the teacher will ask individual students

questions about the numbers in relation to greater than, less than, or equal to. Both of these

activities will help the students to grasp the information because they are exciting and different

ways of learning the information.

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Science

In the book, I Love You with All My Heart, the young Polo hears from his friends and

mom that parents love their children will all of their heart. The teacher will use the word “heart”

from the book to teach the students about the heart and how important it is. The teacher will

hand out to each student a handout that was found on the internet called “What is the Heart” by

Dr. Alvin and Virginia B. Silverstein. The teacher and class will read the worksheet aloud and

then the teacher will discuss the handout once they are done reading. The teacher will also write

the main points of the article on the board for the students.

Next, the teacher will introduce the students to the seven main parts of the heart. The

teacher will have a poster of the heart on the wall and will show the students where the aorta,

valves, left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, and right atrium are located. Once the teacher

feels that the students know where the parts are located, the teacher will pass out a worksheet

from the American Heart Association. The students will have to locate, identify, and label the

parts of the heart.

After the students have completed their exercises the teacher will pass out a fun activity

for the students to do. The activity will be a worksheet for the students to do. They will have to

break the code to figure out how they can have a healthy heart. Then whichever student

completes the worksheet first will get a healthy snack as a prize.

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Social Studies

I Love You with All My Heart seems to take place on the continent of Antarctica.

Although polar bears are not found on Antarctica, the other animals in the book, such as the seals

and penguins, are located on Antarctica. So, the students will learn facts about the continent

through activities and pictures. First, the teacher will show the students a world map and ask the

students if anyone can locate the continent of Antarctica. Once the students are aware of

Antarctica’s location the teacher will bring up information about Antarctica on the internet.

Enchanted Learning, an internet site, will provide the students with interesting facts about

Antarctica, including basic facts, Antarctic animals, the temperatures, a map and geography of

the Antarctica, and seeing what the continent looks like from space. After the students have

learned about the continent the class will complete the online quiz about Antarctica together.

With the time left over in the period the teacher will ask the students to create their own

continent and include the types of animals it would have, the temperature, where it would be

located, and what other fun facts they want to include. Once the students are done the teacher

will hang the pictures up around the classroom for decoration.

Responsibility

Responsibility is so important for the people of the world to have. Responsibility not

only makes one feel as if they are important, but can also make others feel good. People need to

be responsible for the actions they do, for the things they say, and for how they make others feel.

Taking responsibility for one’s actions is important and can define whom a person really is. In

the book, Katie Did It by Becky Bring McDaniel, her two older siblings continuously blame a

young girl for everything. Whenever things go wrong the two older siblings blame Katie and she
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gets in trouble. The two older siblings will not take responsibility for any of the things that have

gone wrong. Instead they tell their mom that they had nothing to do with it. People need to

think about others and how not taking the responsibility for their own actions is wrong.

English

Writing daily is a key essential to the writing development of young children. Therefore,

the teacher will incorporate the book, Katie Did It, by having the students write in a journal

about their daily experiences with responsibility. The teacher will tell the students to write in

their journals at the end of the day about everything they did that sowed responsibility. The

students can write about completing their chores, helping someone else, or taking the blame for

something they may have done. The students will keep their daily journals for two weeks and

after the two weeks the students will come in and share two of their stories with the class.

The teacher will also teach responsibility by creating a chart of classroom chores. Each

student will be designated a certain job that they will have to perform each day for a week. If the

student completes their given chore every day for the week with no complaining, then at the end

of the week the student will be awarded a free homework pass. This responsibility chart will

help the students to learn that helping out is rewarding and that it is nice for others when

someone helps them.

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Math

In the book Katie was the shortest and smallest of her brother and sister, so the students will

learn about height and weight in their math period. First, the students will be broken up into

partners. Then each set of partners will take their turn weighing one another on a scale. Once

they are both weighed and have written their weight down they will go to their desks and

compare their weights, with the help of the teacher if it is needed. Next, the teacher will call

each set of partners to the front of the classroom to be measured. The teacher will give each

student their height in inches and will have them write that number down on a note card. Once

every student has their height written down, the students will try to line up in order from the

shortest to the tallest. This activity will help the students to learn about the differences in height

and weight and how each one relates to them as individuals.

Science

At the end of the book Katie does a kind gesture for her mom, she brings her flowers.

Children see flowers everyday and most do not know what the main parts of a flower are or what

each part does, so the students will learn the main parts of a flower (stem, leaves, petal, and

roots). First, the teacher will bring in a potted flower to show the students. This will allow the

students to see the flower in person and will allow the students to relate to the lesson. The

teacher will point out each part of the flower and explain why each part is essential the well

being of the flower and its survival.

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Next, the teacher will get the students to help her plant flowers in a garden without the

garden getting overcrowded. The students will play the game “Bloomin’ Gardens” online and

will try to keep the garden from becoming overgrown, which is bad for flowers.

Lastly, at the end of the lesson the teacher will pass out a worksheet of a flower. The

students will have to label the main parts of the flower and then color each part differently. Once

the pictures are completed the teacher will hang the drawings around the classroom.

Social Studies

In the story Katie and her family are depicted as an Asian family, so the students will

learn about the Asian culture and learn about their food, speech, and other interesting facts that

set their culture apart from other cultures. First, the teacher will bring in different foods from the

Asian culture and will have the students taste each type of food. The students will have to try

sushi, rice, different types of chicken, and many other kinds of food. Then the students will have

to describe to the class which type of food was their favorite and why. This activity will help the

students to know and understand that food from other countries is actually quite different from

their own food.

Next, the teacher will explain that Asians have contributed in many ways to the United

States history and continue to help us today and immigrate to our country. Then the students can

get into groups of four and identify the countries that make up the Asian culture, such as China,

Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Then the teacher can have the groups compare and contrast the

differences between the American culture and the Asian culture.

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To bring the discussion to a close the teacher would invite someone of Asian background

to come in and discuss the differences between American and Asian culture. The speaker could

tell the students about the different types of speech, appearances, books, history, food, and many

other topics. These activities would help the students to realize that everyone is different, yet

unique in their own way.

Perseverance

Being able to be strong and determined is a trait that is looked upon well. Having

perseverance can make a person feel satisfied and complete. When one can get something done

and do it to the best of his or her ability it shows others the type of person one is. In the book,

The Empty Pot by Demi, Ping shows the other characters how determined he was to grow his

plant, even though the plant would not grow. Having perseverance is a quality that is important

to have.

English

Having perseverance is an important quality that people should have. After reading The

Empty Pot to the class the teacher will divide the class into groups of three. Then the teacher

will pass out poster board, markers, and a copy of the book. The students will then have to go

through the book and illustrate times in the book where Ping showed perseverance. After the

charts are complete each group can stand in the front of the class and show when they thought

Ping showed perseverance. Next, the teacher will ask the students to get their journals out. The

teacher will have the students write about when they themselves showed perseverance and how it
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made them feel once they have accomplished their goal. This activity will help the children to

relate to Ping and help their writing skills.

Math

Towards the end of the book all of the children have come to show the emperor their pots.

The teacher will divide the class into groups of three and will give each group a copy of the

book. The students will then turn to the page and also get a set of circle counting chips. The

teacher will then review the ways to count with the children and will do this by pointing to the

children on the page. First, the teacher will show how to skip count, then count by even

numbers, odd numbers, grouping objects together to count. Next, the students will do the same

thing with their groups and use their counting chips to try all of the ways to count.

Science

One of the main topics in the story is about growing a flower. The teacher will

demonstrate growing a flower by using a wall mat with Velcro. The teacher will then grow the

flower by adding pieces to the mat. Once the teacher is done the students will see the steps of

how a plant grows. Next, the teacher will pass out a worksheet and have the students label in the

correct order the steps of plant growth. After the worksheet the teacher will explain to the

students what is needed in order for proper plant growth. These steps will be important to the

children to learn because they will then plant their own flowers in groups of three. The group

will be responsible for watering, feeding, and taking care of the plant until it blooms. This
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activity will help the students to understand the importance of responsibility, as well as learning

about plants and plant growth.

Social Studies

The Empty Pot takes place in the country of China so the teacher will begin the lesson by

showing the students on a map the location of China. Then the teacher will show the students a

power point on China and will have the students write down the important facts about the

country. The students will learn about the Great Wall, Chinese food, the animals that live in the

country, the Chinese alphabet and numbers, and many other facts.

After the students are comfortable with the basic facts the teacher will then explain to

them who an emperor is and how he is similar to the president. This will help the students to

relate to Ping and will help them to understand why Ping was so nervous to visit the emperor.

After the lecture the teacher will have a guest speaker from China come in and talk to the

students about China and how it was/is living there. The speaker will show the students pictures

and will answer any questions that the students might have. After the speaker is done the

students will write in their journals about three interesting things they learned about China.

Cooperation

Children will learn that cooperation is a basic skill that helps us work successfully in

groups and interact harmoniously with others. This character skill will be demonstrated to the

students by reading Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle. Throughout the story, a young boy is

challenged by his mother to assist her while making his favorite pancakes. He learns that with
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the help of a cow, a farmer, a chicken, he can help his mother make the pancakes. Teamwork and

cooperation are key skills that are necessary for children to become individuals that will

contribute to society in a wholesome manner.

English

The teacher will have the students construct a 4 column chart on a sheet of paper. The

teacher will then proceed to ask the students to write one vocabulary term at the top of each

column. The teacher will have the students write words or phrases in each column that relates to

that vocabulary term. When finished, the teacher will have the students share their discoveries.

Given a sheet of notebook paper, the student will construct a 4 column chart with 4

vocabulary words from the current week’s lesson at the top of each column. The student will be

responsible for choosing a minimum of 10 words or phrases for each column that relates to each

of the vocabulary terms. Having completed the charts, the students will share their discoveries

with their classmates.

Math

The teacher will have the students explore pattern blocks to better understand fractions.

The teacher will use 1 yellow block to display that two red blocks equals one yellow block. The

teacher will then explain that one red can be taken away, which leaves only half of the region

colored red. The teacher will write the fraction on the board and discuss how it shows that there
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is one red part out of two equal parts. The teacher will then demonstrate the same concept by

using green and blue blocks to demonstrate one-third and one-sixth.

Given blocks similar to that of the teacher made out of construction paper, the students

will mimic the display that the teacher demonstrates to the class. After the lesson on fractions,

students will quietly and individually complete class work covering the fraction concepts taught.

Science

The teacher will split the entire class into several groups, preferably with 5 students in

each group. The students will be assigned to invent a new animal. The students must name it,

draw it, and decide how and where it lives. Afterwards, the teacher will instruct each team to

present their animal to the class and tell exactly how they worked together to create it.

Once in groups, the students will be held accountable for coming up with a new animal.

The students will use construction paper and markers, given to them by the teacher, to illustrate

their animal. Upon completion, the students as a group will present their animal to the class by

telling its name, where it lives, and what it eats.

Social Studies

The teacher will allow students to set up a market in which they may barter with each

other in a mock market setting. The teacher will ask students to bring inexpensive items to barter

with, such as pictures from magazines and small trinkets. The teacher will instruct the students to

display what they brought to the market. Then the teacher will let the students take turns walking
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around to see what others brought to the market. Afterward, the teacher will engage the students

in a classroom discussion about their reactions to bartering.

Students will be given a week’s notice to plan for the mock market in which they will be

able to prepare their materials. Students will bring in materials such as magazine clippings, small

trinkets, dollar store items, etc. On the day of the mock market, each student will set up their

items which they plan to barter on their own desks. Each student will be given the opportunity to

walk about the classroom to observe and barter with other students. After each student has been

given the opportunity to barter with another student, the class will discuss as a whole their

reactions to bartering.

Self Control

Self Control is a key concept that must be grasped by young children seeing that anger

can lead to violence, even when it is unintended. Prior to the lesson, the teacher will read aloud

Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! by Mem Fox. The story illustrates how one little boy kept making

mistakes all day long, but apologized to his mother for his behavior. At the end of the day, his

mother was at her wits end and she exploded by yelling at her son. Although she controlled her

anger all day, she eventually let her anger get the best of her. She apologized and they both

laughed about the incident. It is important for children to understand that self control must be

practiced when dealing with anger. Challenge students to stop and count to ten, take a deep

breath and walk away from the situation to deal with it at a later time.
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English

The teacher will have the students write a descriptive one page entry in their journals

about their most recent experience in which they lost their self control. The teacher will prompt

students to answer questions such as why did you lose your self control or how could the

situation have been handled differently? Afterwards, the teacher will have students discuss their

personal experiences of losing self control.

Given twenty minutes, students will write a one page summary about a time in which

they lost their temper or lacked using self control in a situation. In addition to writing about their

experiences, students will write a paragraph about how they could have responded differently to

their situation. Students who wish to share their experiences will be called upon to read their

entries during the lesson.

Math

During a lesson on multiplication, the teacher will drill the students by playing a game of

“Around the World” using multiplication flashcards. The teacher will instruct the students to

quietly and cautiously walk to the board when answering the multiplication problems, rather than

shout the answer like usual. The individual who exercises the most self control will be rewarded

at the end of the round.

Having played a game of “Around the World” before, students are aware that there is a

twist to this version. It is the students’ responsibility to answer correctly, in addition to

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consciously making an effort to controlling their urge to shout out the answer. Students that

practice the most self control will be recognized by the teacher at the close of the game.

Science

The teacher will explain to the students how outer body coverings protect animals. The

teacher will bring isopods (pill bugs) and snails to class. The teacher will allow the students to

examine the animals and observe how they retreat in their shells and curl up. The teacher will

then ensure that students wash their hands after handling the animals. Afterwards, the class will

discuss with the teacher ways in which the animals practice self defense or control over their

body.

After the lesson, students will be presented with the opportunity to explore for themselves

how animals exercise self control in the area of self defense. Students will be permitted to handle

the animals for several minutes each. The students will wash their hands after handling the

animals and return to their desks. The teacher will prompt students to raise their hands and

discuss some of the ways in which they have observed animals practice self defense.

Social Studies

The teacher will have students bring in news articles that show how anger affects

communities and world events. The teacher will discuss with the class various situations and how

calming down, thinking things through, and talking things out might have affected the result. The

teacher will create a bulletin board to go along with this lesson. The board will consist of the
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newspaper articles that show the positive and negative results of anger in the community or

world.

In addition to newspapers that the teacher will have provided, the students will bring in

article several days in advance to the lesson. Each student will choose one article that denotes

how an individual reacted in anger to a certain situation. Each student will take turns, going

around the room, noting how that particular individual could have responded differently.

Students will be expected to be able to determine how that individual influenced society because

they chose to lose their self control. At the end of the lesson, the teacher will allow several

students to hang up their article on the current events bulletin board.

Citizenship

Good citizens do their part to make their community a good place to live and they have

the power to make a positive difference within the world. Throughout this theme, the students

will learn that some of the key concepts included in citizenship, such as: community service,

being a good neighbor, treating others with respect, following the rules of government, and

particularly some of the main symbols of American citizenship.

English

The teacher will instruct the students to find a newspaper or magazine article, TV show

or movie that exemplifies someone demonstrating good citizenship. The teacher will instruct

students to write a letter of appreciation to that individual, specifically describing what he or she

did and how they positively influenced society.

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Students will be informed several days prior to the activity to bring in news papers and

magazines that relate to government. After the lesson, students will be given several magazines

and newspapers to search through in order to find an article about someone demonstrating good

citizenship. Once students have found an article, they will cut it out and use it to write that

individual a letter of appreciation, specifically thanking them for the ways in which they

demonstrated being a good citizen.

Math

The teacher will assign students into pairs. The teachers will then distribute 1- $5 bills, 5-

$1 bills, 2 quarters, 5 dimes, 5 nickels, 10 pennies, and an envelope to each group. The teacher

will instruct the partners to decide on an amount to put in the envelope (not less than $1 or more

than $5). The teacher will allow the pairs to exchange envelopes, count money and compare

amounts. The pairs will return the envelopes and then repeat the activity.

After given a partner, students will discuss with their partner the amount desired to place

in their envelope. Partners will then exchange envelopes with another pair and count and

compare the money within the envelope. Students will discuss several different ways, by using

different bills and coins in which that same amount can be reached. Students will return their

envelopes to the original owners and the activity will be repeated with a different pair of

individuals.
 Character Education Principles 25

Science

The teacher will have the students construct a chart which compares the differences

between a bald eagle and a turkey. The teacher will ask students why America chose the bald

eagle as its national symbol. After the charts have been constructed, the teacher will then explain

to students that the eagle has had a long history as a symbol of freedom and power despite those

who disagreed.

Given a large piece of construction paper and markers, students will construct a chart

comparing the eagle to the turkey. The teacher will have several resources available within the

classroom by which students can access information about these two birds. On the chart students

will include a minimum of 5 noteworthy facts about each bird. Upon completion, students will

share and compare their findings with their classmates.

Social Studies

The teacher will explain the process of lawmaking to students. The teacher will discuss

with students possible laws and rules that should be enforced within their very own classroom.

As a class, the students will agree upon several rules that must be followed. The teacher will use

a sheet of poster board to display the rules that the students have agreed upon.

After the lesson, the students will be prompted to raise their hand to give suggestions for

classroom rules. Each student that makes a suggestion must give a sound explanation for their

proposition. The class will then vote upon each rule. The majority of the students that agree on a

rule will overrule the minority. The rules that are agreed upon will then become the adopted class
 Character Education Principles 26

rules. Students will be expected to obey the rules they have agreed upon just as they would any

other set of rules.

Conclusion

Character education is a vital part of education. In this day and age, it is crucial for

children to develop good character and establish values. Children learn a vast amount of

information through the content areas; math, science, social studies, and English, but it is through

character education that they become a strong individual. Through these principles, children can

be considered educated and well rounded members of the society in which they live
 Character Education Principles 27

References

Martin Luther King Quote. (2007). Quotes. Retrieved September 2, 2007, from

http://www.josephsoninstitute.org/quotes/quotecharacter.htm

Dictionary. (2007). Retrieved September 2, 2007, from

http://dictionary.reference.com/

Lesson Plans Page. (2007). Leaf Observations. September 2, 2007, from

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceLeafObservations.htm

Don’t Laugh at Me Teachers Guide. (2000). Cambridge, MA: Operation Respect, Inc.

and Educators for Social Responsibility.

Books. (2007). The Water Cycle. Retrieved September 1, 2007, from

http://books.google.com/books?q=children%27s+books+on+the+water+cycle&ots=x5OkrpmCw
1&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title

“Bloomin’ Gardens.” Retrieved September 1, 2007, from

http://learn4good.com/games/online/blooming_garden_flower_power.htm.

Silverstein, Virginia B. and Dr. Alvin (2002). What Is The Heart? American Heart

Association. Retrieved September 1, 2007, from americanheart.org/

presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003228.

“Label the Heart’s Parts.” American Heart Association. Retrieved September 1,

2007, from americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3003221.

“Less Than Greater Than – Game.” Retrieved September 1, 2007, from

softschools.com/math/games/less_than_greater_practice.jsp

Demi. (1996). The Empty Pot. New York: Henry Holt and Company.

McDaniel, Becky Bring. (1983). Katie Did It. Chicago: Regensteiner

Publishing Enterprises, Inc.

 Character Education Principles 28

Kern, Noris. (1998). I Love You with All My Heart. San Francisco: Chronicle

Books.

Boehm, Hoone, McGowan. (1997). Living in Our World Grade 3 Teacher’s Edition. New York:

Harcourt Brace Co.

Carle, Eric. (1992). Pancakes, pancakes! New York: Scholastic.

Catrow, David. (2002). We the Kids: The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. New

York: Scholastic.

Champagne, Ginsburg, Greenes, Leutzinger. (1995). Mathematics: Exploring Your World Grade

3 Teacher’s Edition. Morristown, New Jersey: Silver, Burdett, Ginn.

Fox, Mem. (2000). Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild! New York: Harcourt Inc.

(1989). Science Grade 3 Teacher’s Edition. New York: Addison Wesley Publishing Co.

Live Wire Media. (2007). Character Education. Retrieved September 3, 2007 from
http://www.goodcharacter.com
Character Education Principles 29