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Here are your January, February, and March messages and lesson plans.

There are several ways you can implement this content:
  • Take 10 minutes to read the message (either on the PA system, in-house television system or as a class read-aloud), and then follow up with the discussion generators.

  • Take 20 minutes and ask students to complete the worksheet.

  • Take 30 minutes or more and choose one of the outstanding follow-up activities written for each academic area.

    . . . The choice is yours.
You’re going to discover that these plans follow a consistent, easy-to-follow format that provokes meaningful reflection and dialogue about issues that really matter.

January
  • Keeping Resolutions
    Students explore the notion that it's important to put our whole heart into whatever promises we make to ourselves. They explore the idea of being a more active participant in all aspects of their lives.
    Key Idea: Making resolutions as a way to reach goals and dreams
    Character Traits: Determination - Commitment - Caring
    Note: This message and lesson plan work well for the New Year's holiday.
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • Did You do that on Purpose?
    Life can be so random at times. It can be confusing and challenging. For life to make sense, it has to have meaning. It has to have purpose, and having purpose in our lives is something we choose because when we do anything on purpose, we do it deliberately. Students explore the importance of choosing a worthy purpose in their lives.
    Key Ideas: Deliberately choosing positive actions - Goal setting - Self-absorption
    Character Traits: Respect - Responsibility
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • Treating Our Bodies Well
    Childhood obesity has become a serious health concern for our nation. Shakespeare once said that "Our bodies are our gardens, to which our wills are the gardeners." With this special broadcast message and lesson plan, students reflect on and discuss the importance of self-discipline when it comes to creating and maintaining a healthy body.
    Key Idea: Taking care of our bodies can take courage and self-discipline.
    Character Traits: Self-respect - Self-discipline - Responsibility
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • The Importance of Love
    Mozart was a musical genius whose compositions have entertained, inspired, and moved generations of listeners. He believed that love, not just genius, was at the heart of his compositions. Students stop to consider how giving love and attention to the small things of life can help them succeed.
    Key Ideas: The life and birthday of Mozart (January 27th) - The genius of love - Accomplishments driven by love
    Character Traits: Caring - Respect - Enthusiasm - Dedication - Commitment
    Message and Lesson Plan*
February
  • Understand the Past: Black History Month
    Knowing and appreciating the struggles and successes of those who came before us helps us to better understand and appreciate the freedoms and privileges we enjoy today. These materials help students understand the importance of examining the lives of famous African-Americans so we can be inspired by their journeys and learn from past mistakes.
    Key Ideas: Learning from the past - Celebrating the lives of African-Americans
    Character Traits: Responsibility - Respect - Citizenship
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • Johnny the Bagger
    This plan introduces students to Johnny the Bagger, a real-life, everyday hero who has inspired millions of people around the world through one simple, but kind choice. It's a great reminder to students that every human encounter this school year is an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life.
    Key Ideas: Making a difference at school - Johnny the Bagger - Power of the heart - People with disabilities
    Character Traits: Kindness - Responsibility - Respect
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • The Words We Speak
    Students stop to consider that the words we choose to speak are a reflection of who we are. Either words earn the respect of others, or they can cost us respect when others hear our bad language.
    Key Ideas: Bad Language - Cursing - Abusive language
    Character Traits: Respect - Responsibility - Civility
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • Birds of a Feather
    George Washington was a great leader who understood how peers influence us, for better or for worse. He also understood the need to treat one another with civility and respect. With this special message and lesson plan, students explore the notion that choosing friends wisely is very important.
    Key Idea: Our peers influence us, for better or for worse
    Character Traits: Responsibility - Respect - Trustworthiness - Citizenship
    Note: This broadcast message and lesson plan work well for Washington's Birthday.
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • What's in a Name?
    Remembering someone's name may seem like a small gesture, but it can have a big impact. Calling others by their names is an important skill that can help students succeed both at school and in the workplace. These materials will help students understand that remembering the names of others is an act of courtesy that affirms that person's individual value.
    Key Idea: The importance of remembering and calling others by their names
    Character Traits: Respect - Courtesy
    Message and Lesson Plan*
March
  • Cheap or Charitable?
    Journalist John Stossel once did a television report called "Are Americans Cheap or Charitable?" Students explore the great American tradition of giving to those in need, and consider ways they can carry on this tradition.
    Key Ideas: Helping others - Charitable giving - The privilege of giving
    Character Traits: Respect - Generosity - Caring
    Note: This message and lesson plan also work well for Red Cross Month: March.
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • Heroes of a Different Kind
    Avoiding school violence starts with creating a more caring school climate. It takes a different kind of hero to extend kindness and compassion to those who are being put down, left out, or ignored.
    Key Ideas: School violence - School culture - Reaching out to the lonely and neglected
    Character Traits: Kindness - Compassion
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • Sticks and Stones
    We've all heard the words "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." That's not true, is it? Anyone who has been the victim of harmful gossip knows that — unlike broken bones that will eventually mend — harmful gossip can leave wounds that never completely heal.
    Key Ideas: Harmful gossip - Not participating in gossip
    Character Traits: Respect - Caring - Human dignity
    Message and Lesson Plan*
  • I'm Listening
    It's important that we learn to listen to one another in order to build successful relationships at school, at home, and in the community. Active listening is an acquired skill. When we listen deeply to one another, we convey respect and caring and make the world a better place to be.
    Key Idea: Active listening
    Character Traits: Respect - Civility - Caring
    Note: This message and lesson plan work well for International Listening Awareness Month in March.
    Message and Lesson Plan*
Archived Messages and Lesson Plans
Check out previously posted messages and lesson plans. Archived messages and lesson plans are being updated and revised on a regular basis.
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> Life Skills/Pressing Issues


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"Students seem to relate to the material. In Junior High, a favorite question is 'Why do we have to learn this?' With these topics, that's a no-brainer!"

Mary Chesler, Teacher
Uniontown, PA

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