CHAMPs: Discussion C Conversation H Help A Activity M Movement P Yes: on topic, quiet voice & without profanity H Help Raise hand and wait to be called on A Activity Discussion: Honesty & Reputation M Movement None P Participation Head up, paying attention, contributing ideas, listening to peers, not talking over anyone else.

Character Trait Word of Day HONESTY

How do you define it? HONESTY

How your teacher defines it: Book definition: quality of being truthful, trustworthy and showing fairness; being genuine and open to others; not lying, cheating or stealing. A most honorable trait. Real-life: Being a stand up person who is truthful about his mistakes and doesn’t make promises he can’t keep. Telling the truth regardless of the circumstances or consequences.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Imagine that you found a purse in front of your friends containing just over $300. Nobody saw you pick it up, and there was no identifying information on or in the bag. How would you handle this situation? What would a person of strong character do? Why? A very smart friend offered to let you cheat off of him/her for a big test. If you were somehow guaranteed that you wouldn’t get caught, would you cheat? Why? Your best friend went to stay at boyfriend/girlfriends house, but lied to their parents and said she/he was your house instead. When the parents call worried that she/he didn’t come home- would you tell them the truth or cover for him/her? You get caught misbehaving in class, what do you do? What would a person of strong character do?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Last night an innocent neighborhood boy was brutally beat up for no apparent reason and you know who did it. Do you tell the authorities? What would a person of strong character do? Why? Someone in this class stole from me and you know who did it, do you tell me who? A kid you don’t know got blamed for something you did, do you stand up and accept responsibility or do let someone else go down in your place?

Reputation is Built on Character Character is a reflection of: How a person treats other people Whether a person causes trouble or talks back The level of responsibility a person takes for him/her self The amount of effort a person puts forth The degree to which a person can be trusted Truth be told, teachers would rather have a student who is honest and works hard than a smart student who just slides by and can’t be trusted.

Does being honest or dishonest affect your reputation? Is it easy to get a bad reputation? A bad reputation is easy to acquire, but once acquired, a lot of thought and energy is needed to change it. The best way to positively change a reputation is by being responsible and honest. There are distinct advantages of earning a good reputation – namely independence, freedom and respect from others.

Do you talk about teachers to your friends? Do teacher’s have reputations at school? YES! Teacher’s have reputations for being a hard grader – making it difficult to get an A? Teacher’s have reputations for teaching the most interesting classes? Teacher’s have reputations for being the strictest teacher in the school? Teacher’s have reputations for being the nicest teacher in the school? Teacher’s have reputations for being the meanest and rudest or kindest and most helpful.

Do teachers talk about you? …. Should I tell you the truth? YES!! Of course we do.  Most students have a reputation with teachers. Teachers usually know a student’s reputation before he/she enters their classroom on the first day of school. What is YOUR reputation with teachers?

With a Positive Reputation, teachers may say these kinds of things about you ? “He’s a hard worker. If you give him an assignment, he’ll get it done.” “This student really applies herself. She’s going to be a success someday.” “He’s a good kid. You’re really going to like him.” “I can trust that student to do what she’s supposed to do.” “She’s great! She’ll help you with whatever you ask and you can totally trust her.” “He takes a little time to open up, but once he does, he is so kind and respectful.” “I love having him in class. He is so respectful and dependable.”

With a Negative Reputation, teachers may say these kinds of things about you ? “That student will look you right in the eye and lie to you. I wouldn’t trust her at all.” “He’s got an excuse for everything. You can’t count on him.” “Watch out for this one, she’s a trouble-maker. She will disrupt your class day in and day out.” “It’s too bad, he has the brains, but he doesn’t try.” “You won’t want to do any fun activities with this class because you just can’t trust them”. “He says that he believes in respect, but he’s the most disrespectful and rude person I know.”

What do teachers say about you?

Let’s Self Reflect (optional activity) On a ½ sheet of paper, write down the answer to this question: If all your teachers were in a room talking about you, what types of things would they say? In other words, what do you think your reputation is among the teachers at this school or your previous school? After writing your responses, fold your paper in half and give to the teacher. ** Teacher- read each out loud and determine as a class if this is an example of a positive or negative reputation. For this exercise, provide each student with identical sheets of paper and encourage them to all use a pencil. Ask students to write down the answer to this question: If all your teachers were in a room talking about you, what types of things would they say? In other words, what do you think your reputation is among the teachers at this school? After students finish writing their responses, direct them to wad up their paper in a tight ball and throw it into the center of the class. Be sure to mix them up to protect each person’s identity and then read several of them out loud. Note the differences.

Does anyone want to change their reputation? The good news is: the attitude and behavior you choose today can change your reputation! A bad reputation is not a death sentence, it’s just a summary of your past behavior, attitude and performance. Since a reputation is a portrait of your past, you can always take steps to change your reputation, by changing your attitude & behavior TODAY and each day in the future.

Steps to change: The following are steps to build a positive reputation: Acknowledge and admit your faults, poor choices and/or bad behaviors. Apologize for your past mistakes. Make a choice to change for the better. Consistently keep your word.

The bottom line: Be honest. Be a stand up person who is truthful about her/his mistakes and doesn’t make promises he/she can’t keep. Be responsible. Walk the walk and talk the talk.