CHARACTER EDUCATION

CHARACTER TRAITS

Courage: Having the determination to do the right thing even when others don’t; the strength to follow your conscience rather than the crowd. Attempting difficult things that are worthwhile.

Good Judgment: Choosing worthy goals and setting proper priorities. Thinking through the consequences of your actions. Basing decisions on practical wisdom and good sense.

Integrity: Having the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy, and honest in all things. Acting justly and honorably.

Kindness: Being considerate, courteous, helpful, and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion, friendship, and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.

Perseverance: Being persistent in pursuit of worthy objectives in spite of difficulty, opposition, or discouragement. Exhibiting patience and having the fortitude to try again when confronted with delays, mistakes, or failures.

Respect: Showing high regard for authority, for other people, for self, for property, and for country. Understanding that all people have value as human beings.

Responsibility: Being dependable in carrying out obligations and duties. Showing reliability and consistency in words and conduct. Being accountable for your own actions. Being committed to active involvement in your community.

Self-discipline: Demonstrating hard work and commitment to purpose. Regulating yourself for improvement and restraining from inappropriate behaviors. Being in proper control of your words, actions, impulses, and desires. Choosing abstinence from premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances and behaviors. Doing your best in all situations.

This portfolio is a collection of writings, articles, songs, cartoons, and artwork on the topic of character and citizenship. There are eight character traits that you are to consider for this portfolio (see above). Your grade is totally up to you!
Keep the following in mind:

• All work is to be typed.
• Work must be as error-free as possible.
• After completing the final copies of your work, put them in order of the rubric, number the pages, and create a table of contents.
• The final product must be nicely bound in a clear view binder in order to see the cover page.
• The final portfolio must be attractive and professional.
• You will be given several weeks to complete this portfolio. Be sure to pace yourself and not wait until the last minute. No work will be accepted after the due date.

  Assignments:

Good Character: Write 8 paragraphs (one for each character trait) explaining how you have exemplified each trait at some time in your life.

Most Important Trait: Which of the eight character traits do you think is the most important? Explain why, using examples. What would happen in a society if its citizens did not exemplify this character trait?

Television Program or Movie: Write a paragraph describing something that occurred in a television program or movie that showed one of the character traits. Explain what happened and how your trait was important to the theme of the program or movie.

Song: Think of a song in which the lyrics discuss one of the character traits. In a paragraph, explain why that trait is part of the song’s meaning. Include enough of the lyrics (make a copy of the lyrics or write out important parts of the lyrics) to illustrate the trait.

Political Cartoon: Find two political cartoon that illustrates what can happen when one of the character traits is not being shown (someone not showing integrity, etc.) Explain what is happening in the cartoon and how your trait is not being depicted.

Making Good Choices: Monitor news coverage (newspapers, news magazines, radio, or television) for five individuals (well-known people or just ordinary people) who have not made responsible choices in their lives. Write a short paragraph for each; explain what the individual did or did not do and the outcome. What could the individual have done differently?

Case Study: Find a crime case in the newspaper that is of particular interest to you. Summarize the case and answer the following questions:
1. How serious was the crime?
2. How many people were involved in the crime?
3. Was the crime the result of an intentional act or recklessness?
4. Did the person know that he/she was committing a crime?
5. What was the person trying to accomplish?
6. Had the person done something like this before?
7. How did the person feel about what he/she had done?
8. Did the person act alone, as a leader, or as an accomplice?
9. Should the person be punished (how?), forgiven, or required to pay restitution?

Newspaper and Magazine Articles: Cut out eight articles that depict people who are good examples of each of the character traits. Under each article, label the character trait.

RUBRIC
_____Creative Cover (10)
_____Table of Contents/Pagination (10)
_____Good Character (15)
_____Most Important Trait (10)
_____Television Program/Movie (10)
_____Song (10)
_____Political Cartoon (20)
_____Making Good Choices (20)
_____Case Study (20)
_____Newspaper/Magazine Articles (15)
_____Artwork/Graphics (15)
_____Overall Appearance/Organization (15)
_____ Total (170)

Sandra Henegar
North Carolina Character Educator of the Year for 1999
Rotary District 7730 High School Winner
Submitted by Sandi Atkinson
Franklin High School
Franklin VA