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: 

Each of us knows what's right for us! The key is to act on what's right--that's integrity. Tell the students about a time when you did the right thing even when it was difficult. Ask them to identify what in your story is an example of being true to yourself and others.

Example: When I was seventeen, I was driving my dad's car to a school event in the evening. My dad reminded me to put gas in the car, but in my hurry to get there, I forgot. On the way home, I ran out of gas. A friend happened to see me on the side of the road and helped me get a can of gas and made sure my car started. I didn't have to tell my dad what happened, but later that night, I did tell him. He hugged me and thanked me for telling him the truth. He wasn't angry about the car after I told him the truth.

• Tell the learners: Today, I invite you to share your thinking about being true to yourself and others, or knowing and acting on what's right, by writing or drawing about a time when you acted with integrity or a time when you did not follow what you knew to be right.  Writing can be a story, an essay, a rap, or a poem.  Drawing can be a series of cartoon cells with captions, or a picture with captions.  Another reflection choice is to write a reflective essay on one of the quotes that has meaning for you in relationship to integrity. Give each student a copy of Attachment One: Reflection Quotes or refer them to the reflection choices written on the board.