HOW TO BE A GOOD CITIZEN
Do your share to make your school, your community, and the world a better place.
Take responsibility for what goes on around you.
Participate in community service.
Help take care of the environment.
Be a good neighbor.
Treat other people with respect and dignity.
Follow the rules of family, school, and community.
Source: Character Counts
Notable Days/Dates
Founders Month
Constitution Week: September 17 - 23
Constitution Day: September 17 Resources
Hispanic Heritage Awareness month starts on the 15th and runs to October 15th Resources Additional Resources
National Peace Day: September 21 Resources
Three Words A Day
September 1 Everyone needs help.
September 2 Work toward goals.
September 3 Friendship improves happiness.
September 4 Example influences others.
September 5 Say kind things.
September 6 Respect other’s privacy.
September 7 Always have hope.
September 8 Teachers are caring.
September 9 Discipline is order.
September 10 Encourage your friends.
September 11 Do something helpful.
September 12 Experience teaches everyone.
September 13 Learn what counts.
September 14 Be a leader.
September 15 Teach others laughter.
September 16 Always learn more.
September 17 Think before doing.
September 18 Ask for help.
September 19 Everything has beauty.
September 20 Sore losers sulk.
September 21 Give your all.
September 22 Practice always helps.
September 23 Giving is loving.
September 24 Things are possible.
September 25 There’s always tomorrow.
September 26 Expect the best.
September 27 Speak the best.
September 28 Listen in class.
September 29 Know your values.
September 30 Always be curious.
Dinner Dilemmas Purpose: To create family discussions that promotes Character Education in Pinellas County.
Dinner Dilemmas are designed to go home once a month with the students. Schools that send home a weekly newsletter could print one dilemma each week in its publication. During the week families are asked to discuss the dilemma. It is hoped that families will talk about the dilemma and decide how the character quality of the month relates to the situation presented. It is further hoped that families will discuss the dilemma of the week and decide how the character quality of the month applies to each family member.
Week 1
Situation: Sam’s class goes to lunch. When they sit down there is a mess under the table left from the previous class. The cafeteria monitor comes by and asks Sam to clean up the mess.
Dilemma: On one hand Sam knows being a good citizen means keeping the school clean and safe. On the other hand, Sam knows his class did not make the mess.
Discussion: What advice do you have for Sam?
Week 2
Situation: Sue, wanting to be a good citizen, was moving the neighbor’s trash can back to her garage. The neighbor yelled at her, “Don’t step on my flowers!”
Dilemma: On one hand Sue wants to be a good citizen by helping a neighbor. On the other hand, her neighbor never says, “Thank you,” and often yells at her.
Discussion: What advice do you have for Sue?
Week 3
Situation: Sam’s class votes on a Service Learning project that Sam does not like, did not vote for, and does not want to do.
Dilemma: On one hand Sam knows as a good citizen the majority rules. On the other hand, Sam does not want to participate in the project he did not vote for.
Discussion: What advice do you have for Sam?
Week 4
Situation: Sue was chosen to be a safety patrol because she is a good citizen. She sees her best friend running down the hall.
Dilemma: On one hand Sue knows she should write a referral on her friend. On the other hand, Sue does not want to get her best friend in trouble.
Discussion: What advice do you have for Sue?
Books to Read Aloud
One way to introduce character education into a crowded curriculum is to make it part of the literacy program by embedding character lessons in reading, ELA, Science and Social Studies instruction through the vehicle of high-quality children’s literature. Below are book ideas to teach respect. Although they are picture books, they work for all grade levels.
The Summer My Father Was Ten, by Pat Brisson
Duck for President, by Doreen Cronin
The Flag We Love, by Pam Munoz Ryan
Quote of the Week
Week 1 – “Be the change you want to see in this world” Mahatma Gandhi
Week 2 – “Any definition of a successful life in America must include service to others” George W. Bush
Week 3 – “When all of us work together, we become good citizens and our country becomes stronger.” ~ Donna Forest
Week 4 – “How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?” Vincent van Gogh