September
Constitution
Day: Extraordinary Possibilities — On this
day when the nation pauses to consider the significance
of the U.S. Constitution, students have the opportunity
to consider two important notions: 1) they live in one
of the freest and most prosperous nations in the world,
and 2) it is a nation full of extraordinary possibilities
created by ordinary people.
Key Ideas: Democratic process - Power of each individual
voter - Civic duty
Character Traits: Responsibility - Citizenship
Constitution Day: Hope of Liberty — Constitution
Day, September 17th, is a good opportunity for students
to reflect on the hard work and dedication of our Founding
Fathers who created the U.S. Constitution. The men showed
perseverance, responsibility, cooperation, and commitment.
Students consider the idea that a democracy must have
future generations who are willing to cultivate these
character traits in order to thrive and remain free.
Key Ideas: Constitution Day - The necessity of
strong character in our public servants - Constitutional
freedoms - Active citizenship
Character Traits: Responsibility - Loyalty - Respect
Constitution Day: The Power of Ideas — The
founding of America has been called a grand adventure
in ideas. Our Founding Fathers knew how to share, analyze,
and debate ideas respectfully. As students move through
life, it will be important that they listen to and share
ideas with others, debate ideas respectfully, and most
importantly, pay attention to how ideas influence them
and the choices them make.
Key Ideas: U.S. Constitution - Founding Fathers
- Citizenship - Ideas
Character Traits: Respect - Responsibility - Cooperation
Grandparent's Day: Wisdom from Our Elders — One of our nation's
greatest resources is the wisdom of those who have walked
farther down the path of life, but sadly, we don't always
foster relationships between our young people and the
elderly. This message and corresponding lesson plan will
help students better understand how they can benefit from
the wisdom of those who have a link to the past.
Key Ideas: Honoring those who can teach us - Respecting
elderly citizens
Character Traits: Respect - Caring
Hispanic
Heritage Month: Finding the Dream — It is
important to set goals and work hard to achieve the American
Dream. Vice Admiral Antonia Novello, the first woman and
first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States, tells
young people that they should also take a stand for what
they believe in and serve others. Students will take a
look at the traits needed to achieve their dream.
Key Ideas: Contributions of Hispanic-Americans
- Antonia Novello - American Dream
Character Traits: Self-reliance - Positive work
ethic - Service to others
Hispanic
Heritage Month: Two in One — There are nearly 14 million
people in the U.S. who speak both English and Spanish.
Research shows that, among other things, people who speak
two languages increase their thinking skills. Whether
one's second language is Spanish, Arabic, or French, there
are many benefits to being bilingual.
Key Idea: Benefits of speaking two languages
Character Traits: Respect - Tolerance
Labor
Day: Honorable Work — Thomas Carlyle once said, "All
work is honorable." Each day honorable people get
up and go to work. It's easy to take for granted the benefits
of that collective effort. These materials allow students
to pause and reflect on all the hard work good people
do each day from which they benefit.
Key Ideas: All honest work is honorable - Each
of us benefits from the honorable work of others
Character Traits: Respect - Gratitude - Strong
work ethic
National School Success Month: Learning to Learn
— Learning how to study not only helps students become
better learners, it can help them become better people.
This message and lesson plan provide students with the
opportunity to consider all the great benefits that come
with learning strong study skills.
Key Ideas: Being a successful student requires
strong study skills - Learning how to study
Character Traits: Responsibility - Self-discipline
September
11 (Patriot Day) 10th Anniversary: Finding Strength in
Disaster — In the face of an unimaginable
disaster, we witnessed great courage, love, and selflessness.
Remembering 9/11 is an opportunity to reflect on what's
really important in life. These materials allow students
to explore the concept that something positive can come
from even those most disastrous events in life.
Key Ideas: Preserving the memory of the victims
- Learning from the events of September 11
Character Traits: Respect - Courage - Kindness
- Service
Youth
Suicide Awareness & Prevention Week: Bouncing Back from Adversity —
Students examine the reasons for burn out and/or depression,
and explore coping skills.
Key Ideas: Managing change - Stress - Depression
- Asking for help
Character Traits: Perseverance - Positive Attitude
- Resiliency
|
