Elections: Counting for Something — It's a privilege and a responsibility to participate in our democratic system, and voting is a right we shouldn't take for granted because the right to vote defines our democracy.
Key Ideas: Voting - Citizenship - Democracy
Character Trait: Responsibility

Family Stories Month: Sharing Our Lives Together — Family narratives are important because they are personal and true. They can help bond families together, and help young people better understand themselves and the world around them. As we approach the holiday season, students may be spending more time with family, which is a great opportunity to recall and collect some real family treasures.
Key Ideas: Family History - Belonging - Heritage
Character Traits: Respect - Caring

Great American Smokeout — Mind if I don't smoke? Students consider that not smoking is the truly respectful thing to do for themselves and those around them.
Key Ideas: Smoking - Health
Character Traits: Respect - Courtesy

Mix It Up at Lunch Day — Students consider stepping outside their comfort zones to meet someone new.
Character Traits: Respect - Caring

Native American Heritage Month: Respecting the Land — Amazingly, there are 562 Native American tribes in the United States. This message and corresponding lesson plan focus on the reverence and respect that Native Americans have for the earth, the concept of a "web of life," and making decisions with future generations in mind.
Character Traits: Respect - Responsibility

National Education Week: Dropping In — Each student deserves the advantages that come with a high school diploma.
Key Ideas: Staying in School - Dropouts - GEDs - Unemployment
Character Traits: Discipline - Responsibility - Self-Respect

Thanksgiving: Celebrate Life! — We all need a gentle reminder to pay attention to the simple joys of life, particularly as we gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving. We can delight in the happy sounds of the holiday; in the yummy smells; and in every smile, hug, and act of kindness. Consider that we can make every day a holiday by celebrating the simple joys of life.
Key Ideas: Awareness - Positive Attitude - Resiliency
Character Traits: Gratitude - Respect

Thanksgiving - Count Your Blessings — It's easier to pay more attention to what's wrong in our lives than to what's right. This lesson is about considering the importance of keeping a "gratitude attitude" even in the face of challenges.
Key Ideas: Thanksgiving - Well-Being - Choices
Character Traits: Gratitude - Responsibility - Positive Attitude

Thanksgiving: Create an Attitude of Gratitude — Thanksgiving is an opportunity to foster and share a sense of gratitude. When we consider the struggles the pilgrims faced, the fact that they set aside a day of thanks becomes all the more meaningful. These materials will help your students consider the benefits of counting their blessings, particularly during difficult times.
Character Trait: Gratitude

Veterans Day: Say Thanks — American veterans have made many sacrifices so that we can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.
Key Ideas: Expressing Gratitude to Veterans
Character Traits: Respect - Responsibility

World Kindness Week: Simple Kindness — Consider all the bad situations in our world and in our lives that would completely go away - totally disappear - if everyone involved would show some simple kindness toward one another. There will always be mean-spirited and uncaring people in the world, but we can help reduce the pain caused by such behavior by showing simple kindness to those around us.
Key Ideas: Kindness as Antidote to Bully - Teasing - War - Violence
Character Traits: Kindness - Respect - Tolerance