Armed Forces Day: Preserving Our Freedom (third Saturday of each May) — In honor of Armed Forces Day, students are encouraged to do something to honor those who protect and preserve our freedom. With this broadcast message and lesson plan, students reflect on those who serve in America's armed forces and explore ways to honor them.
Key Ideas: Honoring those who preserve our freedom - Saying thanks to those who serve in the Armed Forces
Character Traits: Caring - Citizenship - Respect - Gratitude

Asian Pacific Heritage Month: The Power of Words — Young people don't always understand the power of the words they write and speak. Using inspiration drawn from best-selling author Amy Tan, students explore the power of words to bring together people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Key Ideas: Contributions of Asian-Pacific Americans - Paying attention to the words we speak and write
Character Traits: Caring - Respect - Responsibility - Integrity

Elementary Promotion - Endings and Beginnings — Students consider the successes they enjoyed in elementary school, while also thinking about poor choices they may have made. Remembering some of their personal strengths and learning from their mistakes may help them move into the next phase of their lives with more wisdom and confidence.
Key Ideas: Elementary promotion - Learning from past mistakes - New beginnings - Graduation - Transition
Character Traits: Self-Respect - Self-Responsibility - Wisdom - Confidence

National Physical Fitness Month: Dancing with the Stars — Summer break is fast approaching. It's hard to believe, isn't it? Summer usually means more physical activity, more opportunities to get out and move our bodies by swimming, water skiing, skateboarding, biking, or hiking. These are all fun ways to get fit, but there's another way to get moving that can be a lot more fun — dancing!
Key Ideas: Physical Fitness - Getting Fit with Dancing
Character Traits: Self-Respect - Self-Responsibility

Older Americans Month: Wisdom of the Ages — All we have to do is turn on the television to see that our society all too often celebrates youth and ignores the experience and wisdom that older Americans can provide us. This plan provides an excellent opportunity for young people to reflect on the valuable contributions that older Americans make to our homes, our communities, and our nation.
Key Ideas: Honoring Our Elders
Character Traits: Respect - Wisdom

Teacher Appreciation Week: Honoring Those Who Teach — Students learn that all people, young and old, like to feel appreciated and that showing appreciation can be as simple as saying, "I think you are a very kind person. I want to be a kind person like you." But living the lesson that a teacher has taught them is one of the best ways they can show their appreciation.
Key Idea: Showing appreciation for teachers
Character Traits: Caring - Kindness - Respect - Citizenship

What You Think Upon Grows Day: The Little Engine That Could — Students revisit The Little Engine That Could, who understood something very important: What we think upon grows inside us.
Key Ideas: Positive Thinking - Attitudes Affect the Outcome
Character Traits: Positive Attitude - Perseverance - Courage