Character Education

Friends are important to children, but what makes a good friend? Three age-appropriate scenarios show the youngest students that a friend is someone who makes you feel good about yourself, won’t talk you into doing something you know is wrong, and doesn’t make it hard for you to have friends other than them. After viewing this program, students will understand what it takes to be a good friend, realize they don't always have to say “yes” to a friend, and know it’s okay to have lots of friends. Includes 14 reproducible student worksheets on CD.

Grade Level: 3-6. Follow the trail of gossip as it races through a school from child to child, leaving confusion and hurt feelings in its wake. This lively program uses dramatizations to help youngsters begin to consider and discuss how it feels to be the target of rumors and gossip.

Grade Level: K-2

Show youngsters the power of integrity and honesty. Through true-to-life vignettes, children learn how doing the right thing not only benefits others, but gives them a sense of pride and self-respect . Includes 11 reproducible student worksheets on CD.

Grade Level: 3-8

This video program teaches students the importance of responsibility.

Grade Level: K-2. A whimsical creature named Tad helps youngsters figure out the difference between "telling" and "tattling". Through the use of age-appropriate vignettes and engaging music, this video demonstrates that except in situations where someone might be hurt.

Grade Level: 3-5. This award-winning video features the "No More Teasing Team" who use realistic bullying situations to show kids how to change their own behavior to lessen the impact of teasing and bullying. Kids reinforce the key skills they are learning while having fun playing Dr. PlayWell's "Don't Pick on Me" game. They answer questions about bullying that help them rid their "school" of bullies. Copyright 1994.

This program encourages viewers to see differences as valuable, as something that makes each of us unique. But by also making it clear that all of us are alike in important ways, helps students learn to accept and value differences in themselves and others.

Didi feels different because her parents are Vietnamese. Mike teases Sam because he's short. Dave tries hard at soccer because he wants to be accepted, but his teammates make fun of his clumsiness and interest in music. Megan, who is deaf and communicates by signing, is nervous about being in a new school with new classmates.

By having each class member report on where his or her family came from, Didi's teacher helps her see that everyone is different in this way. Jane's imperturbability at being teased for wearing glasses helps Sam put his lack of height in perspective. Dave's older brother helps him understand that it's all right to have different abilities and preferences. Once Megan proves she can run in a relay race as well as her classmates, she finds ready acceptance.

All children inevitably face a time when a friend tries to pressure, belittle or shame them into doing something they think is wrong. This program helps youngsters recognize these types of situations and develop the strategies to handle them. Caroline spies Morgan’s mother’s makeup and tries to talk Morgan into using it. Nick pressures Jake to steal his grandmother’s cigarettes. Mac dares Tyler to disobey the “Danger – Keep Out” sign. Morgan and Jake learn how changing the subject and stopping the conversation will get them out of tough spots, and Tyler learns that his only choice is to walk away. Andrew belittles Michael’s soccer skills and undermines his confidence in an effort to get Michael to do what he wants. After talking to his older brother, Michael learns that sometimes the trouble friends can cause isn’t so obvious. Hailey tries to convince her friends to become “blood sisters,” something Jasmine knows is dangerous for them all. When the other girls won’t listen to her, Jasmine goes to her teacher for help.

Grade Level: K-2. One of the most important social skills children need to learn is how to behave in ways that help them forge connections to others. To be at ease among others and to give and receive emotional support requires the ability to imagine oneself in someone else’s place. This program defines the word “considerate” as caring about how another person feels. Using age-appropriate scenarios to make and reinforce its points and a lively host to move the stories along, this program shows students positive ways to show consideration, such as treating others the way they would like to be treated and being helpful, even without being asked. It shows young children how being polite and helpful to others not only can help them get along better with others but also make them feel better about themselves. After viewing this program, students will recognize the difference between being considerate and inconsiderate; understand why it’s important for them to treat others as they would like to be treated; and learn that the best way to understand another’s feelings is to think about how they might feel in the same situation. Includes 12 reproducible student worksheets on CD. Copyright 2007.

In this lively program, "Wally the Walrus" leads youngsters in song about the joys of being special and different. Using everyday situations that will feel familiar to all children, viewers see that each of us has different talents and abilities and that it's also fun and exciting to learn about different cultures and customs. Kids also discover that having a physical challenge to overcome doesn't mean that a person can't do what others can . . . they just do it in a different way. From "singing" in a talent show using sign language, to enjoying an international lunch that features different foods from different cultures, youngsters develop a respect and appreciation for their differences.

Grade Level: K-2. Help kids learn the difference between being someone who understands when it is necessary to report a situation that a youngster can't handle alone.