A TEACHER’S GUIDE

TO ENHANCE INSTRUCTION

 

Contents

   GENERAL IDEAS

   LESSON PLAN -- CHARACTER

   LESSON PLAN -- RESPECT

   LESSON PLAN -- TRUST

   LESSON PLAN -- OBLIGATIONS

   LESSON PLAN – SAFETY & SCHOOL LAW

 

 

GENERAL IDEAS

 

Teachers:   The simulations and exercises in this workbook should be supplemented with a variety of group activity and role-playing.  Students need to experience a variety of perspectives, and should be placed in roles of the victim as well as the perpetrator.  It would also enrich the lessons to include a variety of artwork projects, such as storyboards and posters on values themes.  Here is a short list of some specific suggestions:

 

<1.                 Discussion:  The simulations should be used as settings for group and classroom discussions.

 

<2.                 Quickwrite: Using 3 to 5 minute quickwrites can be an effective way to get students to formulate and express their knowledge.  Many related topics would be appropriate:  Why are rules necessary?  What does it mean to be responsible?  What is good character?  Bad character?  What does good citizenship mean to me?  What kind of person am I?  Why do students get suspended or expelled?  How are values learned?  How can I improve my grades?  My personal definition of success is . . .     How does “anger” interfere with good decision-making?

 

<3.                 Brainstorming: Brainstorming on key ideas can be effectively done in small groups or with the entire class.  Topics such as the ones used in quickwrites can also be brainstormed.

 

<4.                 Preparing skits:  Students can be assigned in small groups to plan a skit demonstrating a basic value.  The skit could be 1-2 minutes long, and performed for the entire class.

 

<5.                 Role-playing: Role-playing can be a part of skits, or used in less formal ways.  It is particularly important that students have the opportunity to assume victim roles.  However, other roles can also be good learning experiences.

 

<6.                 Have students prepare a journal based on their observations outside of the classroom.  It could be called a Character Log or some other appropriate name.  When students record character values that they have observed, they should not include names, but should limit their log entries to behaviors.  A possible format is shown below:

 

       EXAMPLES OF                 EXAMPLES OF

     DATE           VALUE       POSITIVE BEHAVIOR    NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR

 

<7.                 A similar journal could be used when the class is studying a piece of literature or a television program that demonstrates character values.  In this situation, the use of names would be appropriate.

 

<8.                 Artwork: Small groups can plan and prepare a variety of different types of artwork related to quality values:  Posters, storyboards, cards, etc.

 

<9.                 Review songs, TV programs, movies: Which ones do or do not encourage personal responsibility and good character?  Students could write critical reviews or give oral reports concerning the values expressed in songs, TV programs, or movies.

 

<10.             Encourage community members to visit the classroom to discuss personal responsibility.

 

<11.             Collect newspaper articles that show high values, or the lack of values.  These articles can be a good basis for class or group discussions.

 

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LESSON PLAN – BULDING TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS

          To be added.

 

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LESSON PLAN – FULFILLING OBLIGATIONS

          To be added.

 

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LESSON PLAN – SAFETY & SCHOOL LAW

            To be added.

 

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