SAY: WELCOME to the FIRST module in this year’s HCA Curriculum. Our focus today is CHARACTER. PLAY Martin Luther King, Jr., “March on Washington” speech. (MONOLOGUE)!
ENVELOPE/WARM UP: Select “CHARACTER” statement, read, discuss, and SHARE. ASK: What do YOU stand for? What do YOU believe in? Who are YOU? There is one subject that most of us didn’t study in school, but it is essential for our happiness and ability to enjoy every day life … That subject is Y-O-U!
ACTIVITY CH-1: “Getting To Know YOU!” Complete and SHARE.
MATERIALS: Crayons, markers, paper, masking tape.
SAY: This is an exciting journey we’re starting. You’ve made the commitment. Your parents have made the commitment. And, I’m making the commitment. As you begin to discover the person you are, you will begin to understand others better, make better decisions about your life and future, find real meaning in your life, and be happy!
HANDOUTS: PowerPoint Presentation for October. PRE-Character Test. SAY: We’re going to take a few minutes to find out just how much you know about today’s topic. At the end of our time together, we’ll see how much you learned by repeating the test.

Stand UP!
Introduction/WARM UP
10 minutes
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SAY: Let’s take a look at what we want to accomplish today. This module is designed to get to know YOU.
1) DEFINE. When we think of character, we’ll talk about what it means to us and why it’s important to understand and effectively communicate what we stand for and what we don’t.
2) INVENTORIES. Completing these inventories will help us learn more about ourselves-who we are now and who we want to be—our strengths and weaknesses (we all have them). We’ll discover our fears and how they can discourage us from building character; and
finally why it’s important to think about our current relationships and how to improve them.
3) SELF-PORTRAIT. Gives us a “snap shot in time” as you begin to develop and strengthen your character traits.
4) INTRODUCE. Monthly, we will have a “Character Moment” focusing on a new word to help you grow ,developmentally, throughout the years.

Character
Learning Objectives
5 minutes
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SAY: Most of you have heard the name, Nelson Mandela before. This is a quote from Nelson Mandela. He was the first democratically elected president of South Africa (1994). His life serves as an
inspiration to all of us!
ASK: What do you think this statement means? Oftentimes, it’s through our fears that we learn the greatest lessons. To be strong takes a lot of courage, doesn’t it?
ACTIVITY CH-2: “Making A Positive Difference.” First, I’d like you to think of a person who made a positive difference in your life. What qualities does that person have that you would like to develop. Then, we’ll SHARE with the rest of the group.

Nelson Mandela Quote
20 minutes
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SAY: During our last activity, we talked about someone we know that has made a positive impression of us. And chances are the words you used to describe this person relate to their character.
ASK: As we begin to think about character, why do you think that CHARACTER is important for a person working in the healthcare
environment? For example: A nurse? A doctor? A pharmacist? How might this impact their ability to be successful or not in their jobs?
Here are a couple of “textbook” definitions for the term character. (READ THE SLIDE). As you begin to look in the mirror and evaluate your attitudes , traits, and abilities, how would others describe YOU? Your friends? Your Family? Your teachers?
Building a solid foundation of character is important. Still having trouble with the term “character?” Well, let’s have a little fun!

Character is ...
10 minutes
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006

SAY: Okay … It’s time to put your words where your mouth is!
ACTIVITY CH-3: “Character Search Puzzle.” If you had to complete this puzzle by yourself, it might be challenging to do it alone, huh? So, in teams, let’s complete these puzzles. The first team to complete gets a neat prize!! Refer to KEY for answers. (SUGGESTION: Perhaps a puzzle piece to help them remember the activity).
SAY: You’ll have about 15 minutes to complete this. The first one that has all the correct words give a “SHOUT OUT!” Good Luck!

Character
Word Search Puzzle
15 minutes
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SAY: Think about an iceberg. It’s not what’s above the surface that counts, BUT, what’s below the surface! The same is true when it comes to character. Character traits are the positives and negatives of our personalities. And, there are probably a few character traits that need developing in each of us!
IMPORTANT POINT: Nobody’s perfect. Even though we are not perfect, we still have many unique and positive character traits that are good for us, our friends, and our family. Yes, they will differ from person to person, state to state—north, south, east, and west!
BE STRONG on the inside because when challenges come your way (and they will), it’s what’s on the INSIDE that matters!
SAY: Now, we’re going to look at three different inventories that will help to determine your strengths and opportunities.

Character Counts!
5 minutes
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ACTIVITY/HANDOUT CH-4: “Character Traits Inventory.” Take a moment to complete the Character Traits Inventory. Now, select THREE that you would like to develop further and work on until our next meeting. For each trait, THINK about ways you can work on it.
So, now that you’ve decided on the character traits that need a little work, how DO we build them? The ANSWER? One trait at a time!
IMPORTANT POINT: Some of the hardest battles in life are the ones we fight inside us. And, it’s in the midst of the battles that we tap into the core of our inner strength and develop character.
ACTIVITY “Under Construction Signs.” Now, your family is going to wonder what is going on with you and why you are treating them so NICE all of a sudden. So, let’s take a moment to create our “UNDER CONSTRUCTION” signs. (SUGGESTION: Create one in advance to share with them).

Character Traits Inventory
Source: What Do You Stand For? For Teens
Free Spirit Publishing
20 minutes
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MATERIALS: Crayons, Markers, Index Cards 4x6, Ribbon, Glue
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006

SAY: Psychologists believe that our fears can possible influence and even control our character and how we behave or react in certain situations. Our fears can certainly hold us back from developing into the kind of person we want to become.
ACTIVITY/HANDOUT CH-5: “Fears Inventory.” Let’s take a moment to complete the Fears Inventory. (SUGGESTION: Complete in advance, tally columns, and look for similarities- emphasize differences).
SAY: Most of us have heard of the phrase “Fear of the Unknown.” If we avoid it or ignore it, may be “IT” (the fear) will go away. But how do we know unless we try? Acknowledging and knowing what you fear can be powerful knowledge for YOU! FACE your fears and TURN them into STRENGTHS!
SELECT ONE fear and write an action statement on how you plan to conquer it. SHARE results.

Face Your Fears Inventory
Source: What Do You Stand For? For Teens
Free Spirit Publishing
15 minutes
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006

SAY: We will learn in the coming months that relationships with others are a critical component in developing character. Too many teens today don’t have positive relationships with others. THINK about the people you hang out with. Ask yourself, “Are these the kind of people I should be hanging with?” Do we have similar interests? Are they friends who make good decisions? Are they friends I trust? Are they friends I can count on? What about your family? Do you respect your parents? Do you enjoy spending time with your family? If you answered NO to any of these questions, then you seriously need to evaluate these relationships.
ACTIVITY/HANDOUT CH-6: “Relationships Inventory.” This inventory will provide good information on the relationships you currently are involved in. Also, with this particular inventory, a LOW score is a GOOD thing. But don’t worry if your score is high. Either way, you can bring your score down with a little effort and willingness to change.

Relationships Inventory
Source: What Do You Stand For? For Teens
Free Spirit Publishing
10 minutes
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006

SAY: Being friends with yourself means liking yourself. It also means being truthful with yourself about some bad habits that you may need to change and even losing some bad relationships.
Let’s take a minute to look at a couple of HANDOUTS (H-1 & H-2).
HANDOUT H-1: Following are 15 quotes from some people you’ll probably recognize. These quotes relate (in some aspects) to truth.
HANDOUT H-2: Think about the people you hang with. Now, look at the “Six Pillars of Character.” ASK: Do the friends you hang with have these characteristics?
ASK: NOW, what about YOU?

Eleanor Roosevelt Quote
5 minutes
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ASK: Why is it important to look at the person you are RIGHT now? Every day we are changing—our attitudes, our thoughts, our dreams, our interests, etc. Taking a moment for self-reflection helps us to GET REAL with ourselves about who we really are … when no one else is looking! The REAL YOU!
ACTIVITY/HANDOUT CH-7: “Self-Portrait Assessment.” Take a
moment to complete this self-assessment. Now, if you are honest in your responses, you probably will have a good idea of who you are—HERE and NOW. Once you complete this, you’ll also learn some things about yourself that you didn’t know. (SUGGESTION: If time allows, ask them to select ONE and share it with the group).
SAY: Through the coming months you’ll need to think about having a healthy balance in four basic areas: spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. This is “balanced renewal.” Remember: Maintain your
balance. It helps you deal with life challenges if you can learn to relax.

Self-Portrait Assessment
Source: What Do You Stand For? For Teens
Free Spirit Publishing
10 minutes
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006

SAY: The image you see in the mirror is the image you reflect to others. Is that the “real” YOU … looking back at you?
ACTIVITY CH-8: “Mirror Image.” Honestly ask yourself these two questions:
1) How do OTHERS see me?
How do YOU see YOURSELF?
Think of how you are now—what do you look like? What do you like about yourself? Now, think about how OTHERS see you. ASK: Are the images the same or different? Do you act differently ALONE than when you are with others?
SAY: Did you know that the way you see yourself impacts how others see you? If you have a positive attitude and are confident, others will see that image. But, if you are always negative and self-defeating, you will push others away.

Character Moment
“You Matter!”
10 minutes
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006

SAY: Now look in the mirror … What do you see? Be honest with yourself. Tell yourself the truth. If there is something you’d like to change, most likely you can change it.
Often times we focus on the way we look on the OUTSIDE and forget the most important thing of all—Who we are on the INSIDE matters!!!
Next month’s topic is about bouncing back (resilience) and writing (journaling). Later in the month, we’ll also be participating in a Healthcare Forum and what our role will be in this upcoming event.
ASSIGNMENTS:

Wrap It Up!
5 minutes
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Copyright, SC AHEC, 2006