Each year, elementary teachers feel the struggle to find time in the schedule for Social Studies. We learned that STEM lessons are critical to the academic career of our students. Now, we need to realize that Social Studies are just a crucial to our society, and character traits are a big part of that.
Social Studies is Core
The teaching of Social Studies is the difference between a society, and a healthy functioning society. Student need to be able to review actions and events in history through the lens of shared values and beliefs. Character traits are the vehicle that brings these traits to life.
Language Arts Through Social Studies
Most Language Arts programs touch on character traits. But, if you stop there, the learning lacks purpose. To make a cohesive Character traits are deeply connected to Good Citizenship, Leadership Qualities, and Conflict Resolution.
Good Citizenship Traits
Character traits are citizenship traits by design! Traits like honesty, kindness, trustworthiness, and respect are the foundation of good citizenship and thus a community. Learning about these traits teaches students that their thoughts and actions affect others.
Some practical ideas for the classroom:
- sort positive and negative character traits (good/bad citizen)
- Make a mural about what traits make up a good citizen
- Keep the character cards by your book corner. Have students point out evidence in the story characters. put their name on sticky notes.
- choose 3 characters from a fable or fairytale who is a good citizen.
Leadership Character Traits
Those same character traits you strive for in yourself should be doubly present in our leaders. They need to be strong in moral character. Leaders need to be able to motivate and guide others. They should be calm under pressure, and navigate the best path forward.
Some ideas for your classroom:
- Sort the traits that you would like in a friend, and what you would like in a leader.
- Research presidents. Sort character traits under Mount Rushmore.
- Have each small group pick a character from fables or fairytale that would make a good leader and why.
- Here are my favorite books about leadership:
Conflict Resolution Character Traits
In a free society, there are conflicts. They naturally occur. How you solve them really shows your true character. Traits like empathy, patience, and self-control help people understand other perspectives. Teaching character traits like this equips students with lifelong skills for making and maintaining healthy relationships.
Some ideas for your classroom:
- small groups will choose a folktale and 3 traits that would solve the conflict.
- problem-solving pairs: have pair choose on 2 character trait cards before they discuss the problem
- Problem-Solving Wheel: make a wheel with traits they can spin to focus on one trait when debriefing the incident.
- Here are my favorite books on conflict resolution:
Character Trait Resources
Teaching is such a huge job. It really does take a village! I remember having mush brain after just the day to day running of the classroom. I did not have a creative juice to rub together! Let me give you a leg up with lesson crafting. Take a look at what I made. Click on the cover to see more features.
