Using the WorldScapes®/CHARACTER COUNTS!^SM Collection for Character Education Lessons

View the WorldScapes Alignment Chart to The Six Pillars of Character^SM

It is essential that young students understand the importance of qualities such as personal responsibility, respect for others, fairness, and compassion-an understanding that begins with early character education. That is why WorldScapes has teamed up with national character-education experts CHARACTER COUNTS! to align our values-based readers with the popular CHARACTER COUNTS! framework. In the chart contained in this document, each WorldScapes title has been aligned with one of The Six Pillars of Character^SM. The Teacher's Notes accompanying each WorldScapes book feature an activity sheet that focuses on the character value addressed.

For example, Living with Llamas is a photo essay that highlights responsibility. Luisa, the subject of the book, is a young Peruvian girl who is responsible for tending to her family's herd of llamas and alpacas. In the Teacher's Notes to Living with Llamas, personal responsibility is defined as "being trusted with something". The author explains that sometimes, however, a conflict in responsibilities occurs. Students are asked to consider three different scenarios involving a clash of responsibilities and to explain what they would do in each situation and why. Example: You are responsible for looking after your younger sister on Saturday, but your soccer team has unexpectedly made the finals. The game is on the same day. What will you do?

Through extended exploration, students carefully consider and articulate their understanding of each character value and its application. The student activity sheets may be completed during class or assigned as homework. Completed activities can be discussed, and students can be encouraged to justify and elaborate on their responses.

The Six Pillars of Character^SM

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
• Build a good reputation
• Be loyal-stand by your family, friends, and country

Respect

• Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule
• Be tolerant of differences
• Use good manners, not bad language
• Be considerate of the feelings of others
• Don't threaten, hit, or hurt anyone
• Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility

• Do what you are supposed to do
• Persevere: keep on trying!
• Always do your best
• Use self-control
• Be self-disciplined
• Think before you act-consider the consequences
• Be accountable for your choices

Fairness

• Play by the rules
• Take turns and share
• Be open-minde; listen to others
• Don't take advantage of others
• Don't blame others carelessly

Caring

• Be kind
• Be compassionate and show you care
• Express gratitude
• Forgive others
• Help people in need

Citizenship

• Do your share to make your school and community better
• Cooperate
• Get involved in community affairs
• Stay informed; vote
• Be a good neighbor
• Obey laws and rules
• Respect authority
• Protect the environment

For more information on Character Counts please go to charactercounts.org