Building Character Chapter 3

Understanding Character Character is the way a person thinks, feels, and acts. Six Traits of Good Character Trustworthiness – you are honest, loyal, and reliable…you earn people’s trust. Integrity is being true to your ethical values and doing what you know is right. Respect – you are considerate of others and accept their differences. Tolerance is the ability to accept other people as they are and you avoid negative and unjustly formed opinions, or prejudice.

Six Traits of Good Character…continued Responsibility – You hold yourself accountable for your choices, decisions, and actions. Accountability is a willingness to answer for your actions and decisions. Fairness – You play by the rules, take turns, and share. You listen to others. You don’t take advantage of people or blame them when things don’t go your way. Caring – You show that you are kind and considerate of others. Gratitude and helpful. Citizenship – You show respect for authority and interest in the world around you – health and safety. Advocacy is taking action in support of a cause and taking a stand to make a difference.

What Shapes Your Character? You learn values from your family members Practice what you learn (good or bad choices) Life experience creates growth from what you have learned and practiced. Others will influence how your character is shaped. Watch and listen to others, you learn by examples. A role model is a person who inspires you to think or act in a certain way.

What is a Role Model?

Developing Good Character Demonstrating good character is a choice. You practice making choices to demonstrate good character. The more you practice the traits you value, the more they become a part of your character.

Trustworthiness Be honest – Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal Be reliable – Do what you say you’ll do Have the courage to do the right thing - no matter how hard that is to do. Build a good reputation - when someone asks about you nothing bad can be said. Being loyal or faithful makes you trustworthy. A loyal friend will not say or allow others to say, untrue or unkind things about you.

Respect Respect means having consideration for the feelings of others. Think about how you want to be treated, and treat others the same way. Good manners Listening to others points of view Tolerance, the ability to accept others as they are Respect starts with your self. Self respect starts with leading a healthy life Avoid high risk behaviors Eat healthy, get plenty of exercise, and adequate rest.

Responsibility “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself” Jim Rohn Showing responsibility means doing what you say you will do. Accepting responsibility includes accountability. You accept the consequences for your actions. You take credit for what you do well, and not so well. You follow through without being asked or reminded. Take responsibility for your health. Abstinence is the conscious, active choice not to participate in high-risk behaviors.

Fairness Fairness means treating people equally and honestly. Be open minded and patient. Don’t take advantage of others. Be a good sport – win or lose.

Being a Good Citizen Caring for others means: Treating others with kindness and understanding. Show gratitude to others who help them. Show forgiveness to those who have hurt them. Listen to others, offer help when needed, looking at others’ points of views. Give of yourself – your time, attention, help, support, your skills and experience. Empathy is the ability to identify with and share another person’s feelings.

Being a Good Citizen Citizenship is the way you conduct yourself as a member of your community. Do what you can to help your community. Environmental cleanliness. Take a stand to prevent violence and bullying.

Making a Difference Your good character shows in your actions and words. Good character improves your own life and affects others around you. Your actions and words make a difference at home. Name a few…….. Constructive criticism is using a positive message to make a suggestion. I-messages are messages in which you offer a suggestion from your own point of view. “I can’t understand you when you talk with your mouth full”.

Making a Difference At school – Good character means showing positive values. Setting good examples of fairness, trustworthiness, caring, and responsibility. Demonstrate tolerance toward differences and accepting of others for who they are. Cliques are groups of friends who hang out together and act in similar ways and have the same interests and values. People tend to feel comfortable around others like themselves. Cliques can be negative if they exclude others or show prejudice toward those whose interests are different.

Making a Difference You can make a difference in your community by your acts of citizenship – Throw away trash and recycle. Volunteering your time or skills to others. Take part in activities for people in need.