Teaching the Discovering the Real Me Series Student Textbook & Teacher’s Manual 9

Discovering the Real Me: Student Textbook 9: Developing My Character Ages 14 to 15 years 17 contemporary topics Questions for reflection and discussion Active exercises Reflection exercises

Teacher’s Manual 9 Gives advice & instructions to the teacher Introductory section: 1. Balanced education 2. Teaching methods 3. Course requirements & expectations 4. Ice breakers Two lesson plans for each chapter

Goals of Character Education To know the good – head To care about the good – heart To do the good – hands

Each Chapter has Cognitive, Affective & Behavioral Goals Educating the Head, Heart & Hands

Sample Chapter 3: “Who Am I?” Discusses the internal & external dimensions of all things  Inner nature & outer form  Invisible & visible The internal dimension determines the quality, meaning & value of anything Internal is most important

Illustrative Story: “Piano Man” Externally, Eric is a “geek” When he plays a piano solo at a school concert, beautiful music pours out of him His classmates realize Eric has special something inside

“Who Am I?”: Cognitive Objectives Students will understand that all beings, including human beings, have an internal nature as well as an external, or physical, form

“Who Am I?”: Affective Objectives Students will feel that the internal nature is the most important part of a person

“Who Am I?”: Behavioral Objectives Students will distinguish between internal and external desires They will choose the internal over the external in given situations They will chart virtues

Discussion: Internal or External? Important or Less Important? Money Friendship Good looks Happiness Nice house Nice clothing, jewelry Love of family

Exercise: Whom Do You Admire? Students list character qualities of someone they admire Students chart whether they themselves show these qualities Always Usually Sometimes Never Kind * Loyal * Trusting *

Chapter 7: “The Process of Growth” All things pass through a growth process of 3 stages: formation, growth & completion Physical or external growth occurs naturally

Human internal growth takes place according to our choices to do good— our growth is our responsibility Altruism furthers internal growth Human Internal Growth

“The Process of Growth”: Cognitive Objectives Students will recognize that internal growth requires being concerned with others instead of simply with themselves

“The Process of Growth”: Affective Objectives Students will want to achieve a satisfying level of altruistic (true) love

“The Process of Growth”: Behavioral Objectives Students will name the 3 stages of growth They will recount real life instances of taking responsibility They will write a letter taking responsibility

“The Process of Growth”: Reflection Exercise Write an apology to someone you have wronged If you actually sent it, or apologized, do you think you would experience internal growth?

Chapter 13: “Freedom and Responsibility” Freedom is limited by natural and moral law If we are overly self-indulgent, we suffer physically and mentally Real freedom comes with responsibility

“Freedom and Responsibility”: Cognitive Objectives Students will understand the difference between freedom and license and freedom’s connection to responsibility

“Freedom and Responsibility”: Affective Objectives Students will develop the desire to assume the responsibilities attached to freedom

“Freedom and Responsibility”: Behavioral Objectives Students will describe a completely free society They will give examples of how freedom and responsibility are linked They will distinguish between freedom and license They will compare freedom and responsibility at different ages in life

Free or Not Free? This is Freedom—True or False Doing what I want, when I want Doing what I think is right Sleeping all day Saying no when someone tempts me Screaming and yelling when I am angry Being independent of the forceful will of another Apologizing when I do something wrong Getting drunk and being wild

Developing My Character: Other Topics Covered Personal growth and happiness Relationships Conscience Honesty Peer pressure Purpose and value of life

Discovering the Real Me’s Developing My Character Addresses the Life Concerns of Teens Desire for independence and freedom Balancing physical, sexual and social development Concern with self-image Forming their own values Learning to take on responsibilities