This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills.  For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to www.generationon.org.

Anticipatory Set

Allow the students to share their stories of the acts of kindness they performed since the last class period. As each student shares, ask them to reflect on how they felt and what impact they think they may have had.

• Read aloud or copy for students to read the story, "The Brave Little Parrot."
• Ask the students to think about the little parrot's small act in the face of a big problem. Tell them to turn to a neighbor and share ideas about how their own acts of kindness could have an effect like those of the parrot. Discuss symbolic parallels between the folktale and their experiences.
• Have each student write in his or her journal a response to the following prompt: How can one small act of caring make a difference for the common good?  And have them write details about their experience and make a plan for another act of kindness.