e
pl
m
Sa y
on l
CHARACTER
AN INTRODUCTION TO
As you read on, you will discover
Introduction
how to become a person of character in communication, in relationships, in your
Without your even knowing it, your experiences in life have built your
decision making, in time management,
character. Your parents, family, friends,
in dealing with change and stress, and
teachers, and communities all have had
in being a global citizen. A person of
a stake in building you up to be the
character must be aware of all of these
person you are today. Every interaction
things in order to truly find balance and
that you have with another human
truth in his/her life.
being or living creature shows what type of person you are. How are you
y
respectful? How are you responsible? How are you caring? How are you fair? or not—how you answer those questions says a lot about the type of person that you are and are becoming. People of character choose to make good choices and are firm in their
on l
How are you a good citizen? Believe it
e
words and actions. They have a firm
foundation behind them so that they
pl
can make choices that impact the world around them. People of character take the lead and succeed. They have
m
figured out what it takes to be a good
person today so that they can continue to make a difference tomorrow.
Sa
No one said it would be easy,
though. Being a person of character is
difficult. You have to figure out what is
right in a world that is full of wrongs
and stick to it, even when someone
close to you might try to pressure you into another direction. Every single day is a challenge. Every day there are opportunities to make mistakes, pick up the pieces, and make better decisions tomorrow.
2
3
e
pl
m
Sa y
on l
COMMUNICATION
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
People of Character… in Communication
Communication is a beast of a word. It can include everything from how you write an e-mail to a friend to how you
You communicate with others every
speak with your mom about what you’d
day through your words, actions, facial
like to do this weekend. However you
expressions, but most of all, through
look at it, understanding how you
your character. How you choose to
communicate your character is important.
your character. Let’s face it—sometimes
A person of character must
our communication is great, but other
realize that every interaction he/she
times, it just stinks.
has with another living thing
y
communicates a message—
SET THE TONE
communicate is a direct reflection of
Let’s think about what it’s like being a
good or bad. That’s because
high school student today. You
friends, you text-message, you may use
on l
communication has something
personal networking sites on the web,
shared during the communication.
communicate in ways that your parents
called tone. Tone is how
and teachers never did when they were
something is perceived or
your age. You have access to the
interpreted based on how the
Internet with instant-messaging, you
communication took place.
often use cell phones to chat with your
The way a message is received
e
depends upon the tone that is
and blog. Not to mention that you still
pl
talk with your friends on a daily basis in the halls and classrooms at school and
Greeting your best friend in person
teachers and principals on a daily basis,
at the mall.
m
out of school, you interact with your
and most of all, even though you don’t You need to text message a friend
want to admit it, you communicate with
to see if he/she is coming to the
communicate with each of these groups
movie at 7pm.
Sa
your parents every day. The way you
Asking your teacher a question
Instructions:
about a science assignment.
varies based on the situation and topic Calling a friend from school to get
of discussion.
help with a math problem.
Write a statement exactly how you would communicate in each of these situations. Include words and what kind of body language you may be conveying.
You think your parents are being unfair about not allowing you to go to a basketball game with a friend. Describe that conversation. A blog of your day at school. Introducing yourself on a personal networking site.
4
So the big question is, how do you
Just think about it. Do you communicate with your friends
maintain integrity in all types of
the same way that you
communication without harming your
communicate with your parents?
character?
you use today each have a different set
table with your mom and dad or
of hidden “rules” for their use.
your grandparents? Probably
One-on-one communication seems to
not, because we tend to use
be the best type of communication to
slang and jargon when we’re just
use, as you can look the person in the
talking with our friends, and your
eye, can read facial and body
parents don’t always appreciate
expressions, and hopefully be able to
that when you are talking with
feel the tone of what is being
them. Do your parents and teachers appreciate when you are sarcastic and convey body
communicated. With the rise of the Internet, computers, and cell phones, people are now “hiding” behind
language that shows disrespect?
technology and communication is
No. But if you rephrase what
becoming a more difficult thing to
you say and present it in a
understand for many people.
e
positive light, you are far more
Sa
m
pl
likely to get what you want.
5
ONE ON ONE
The forms of communication that
you’re talking around the dinner
y
your friends the same as when
on l
STAY POSITIVE
Is the language that you use with
COMMUNICATION
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
your words wisely. It’s also very
For instance, you tend to use lots of
important to think about whom
words when you’re talking on the phone
you are sending the message to
with a friend. Your voice inflection and
before you write it. If you are
tone can be heard on the phone, but
sending a message to your friend,
your facial and body expressions
you might use slang and jargon,
cannot. You might be laughing out
but if you are sending a message
loud, but be really annoyed by what
to an adult or a business, you
was said and have a grumpy look on
would write it using correct
your face. You could be rolling your
grammar, usage, and spelling.
y
TELEPHONE
going to be interpreted, so choose
way trickier to interpret and understand.
never know how something is
Other forms of communication besides one-on-one communication are
eyes at the person, and they wouldn’t
With the world of the Internet,
on l
even know it. A person of character will
you have access to many websites,
take the time to be courteous to
social networking sites, chatrooms,
whomever they are speaking with on
blogs, and so much more. It’s
the phone, will listen intently, and will
very important for you to stay safe
not say mean or cruel things to the
and not share personal information
person on the other line. Maintaining
on sites, as you could become a
your integrity as a person is so
target for someone with bad
e
important to creating a viable future.
would give a clue about your age.
into your phone or computer to save
If someone asks you inappropriate
m
time, and they will have no idea what
questions about sex or asks you
kind of tone you are wanting to convey
to meet them somewhere, don’t
in the message. Something that you
go. Tell an adult right away that
meant to be funny could end up
this happened. Stay on sites that
hurting someone’s feelings because
are “safe” and that your parents
they didn’t know the tone that you
approve. Your safety is number
were trying to send.
one priority. Cyberbullying is becoming more
The same is true with e-mail. When
prevalent with kids your
a person sends an e-mail, we don’t see
age because of the use of
the person’s face as they are typing.
social networking sites
That’s why we tend to use (ha-ha),
and instant-messaging.
(wink-wink) or Just Kidding to help the
If you feel like you are being
other person know what we are
bullied, talk to an adult at
meaning by what was typed. Here
home or at school right
again, once it’s in words on the screen,
away to get the issue
it’s hard to take something back. You
resolved quickly.
6
INTERNET SAFETY
graduation year or anything that
and use abbreviations as you type it
pl
screen names, don’t include your
same friend, you might shorten words
Sa
TEXT MESSAGING
intentions. When creating your
If you instant- or text-message that
through the words that they type
respectful, caring, and fair people as
on a screen and send on the
we communicate. If we don’t have
information super highway. You
that integrity and understand how
have a right to be safe
messages are perceived and conveyed
emotionally and physically…
in our changing society, we will do
period. Anyone who endangers
more harm than good.
that is sending the wrong type Think before you speak. Think before
of communication out!
you type and click send. Think before you share. Your character and integrity are on the line. Be a communicator of
life, you have to know how to
character in all that you
communicate with others. Mastering the art of communication takes time and practice. Learning how to communicate one-on-one a team versus using technology
pl
to communicate
say and do.
e
versus working with
y
The bottom line is that in order for you to be successful in
on l
WORLD WIDE WEB
integrity by being responsible,
involves quite a
Sa
m
learning curve.
7
WORLD WIDE WEB
The hardest part of all is maintaining
No one has the right to ridicule or harm you emotionally
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
RELATIONSHIPS
People of Character… in Relationships
close friend. Those relationships are supposed to be different, and
bonds weak or strong. You may
family, our school friends, our
not see eye to eye with your
classmates, our neighborhood friends,
parents all the time, but you are
our acquaintances, etc. Sometimes our
still bonded to them. You may
circles overlap, but other times they
have disagreements with your
don’t. The relationships that we build
friends, but you still share the
within our “circles” vary based on the
bond of friendship.
y
experiences that we share with the
Relationships in school take
people in each circle.
on many meanings. You have
on l
But what builds a relationship?
relationships with teachers,
A healthy and strong relationship is built
principals, and counselors that are
on trust. Trust isn’t something that just
on a professional level. You have
happens. It has to be nurtured and
the students you see in the
worked on every day.
hallway as acquaintances, but you really don’t know them as a
e
person. You have the students that you have class with each day.
Probably not. You more than likely
You might sit next to someone
pl
best friends the first day you met?
knew that you enjoyed being around the
or work with a team for a
person, but you weren’t about to spill
project, but they may
your deepest, darkest secrets with that
not be a close friend.
m
person on the first day of your
friendship. You had to get to know him/her, share some experiences together, and build a trust before
Sa
FINDING YOUR BFF
Think of your best friend. Were you
sharing and understanding could
happen. If you can’t trust someone,
they probably aren’t worth your time. There are many types of
relationships. The relationship you
AT HOME
have with your parents is very different than the relationship you have with close friends. Relationships are forms of connectedness. How connected you feel with another person depends mostly on interaction. The bond that you have with your mom and dad should be different than the bond you have with a
8
AT SCHOOL
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
relationship is what makes the
our immediate family, our extended
AT HOME
how a person builds a We live our lives in circles. We have
A person of character doesn’t stand by
relationships build your school
and let someone else do what is right.
environment. If any one of those
He/she knows what is right in a given
relationships is out of whack,
situation, and will do whatever it takes
your day could go from
to help someone out. He/she is not
fabulous to bad in a heartbeat.
caught up with social status, what
What’s funny about it all is that if
people think of them, or how much
one relationship is out of whack,
money someone has. He/she believes
quite possibly one of your other
that being a person of character is
relationships will be the help you
about doing good things with each day.
need to get your day back on track. Take the time to build solid relationships at school, as you spend much of your day there. Knowing that you have people you can trust can make
all of the difference in your out-
It’s important to
e
look on life.
pl
understand that we all have differences.
Because we have
m
differences, we can
learn from one another. are not biased or rude to
other people. Instead,
Sa
ACCEPT DIFFERENCES
People of character
they take the high road and treat people with respect, no matter what people around them say. This can be difficult when you decide to befriend the new kid, the student who obviously doesn’t have any friends, or to come to the aid of someone who is being bullied or
9
ACCEPT DIFFERENCES
friends snickers in the background.
whenever you can. All of these
y
sexually harassed while your group of
friends that you hang out with
on l
SOLID RELATIONSHIPS
You have your core group of
DECISION MAKING
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
No one wants to stick out. It is a
People of Character…in Decision Making
human’s desire to belong to the group. But sometimes making a good decision
Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
means making a conscious choice to
We make hundreds of decisions each
“stick out” and do what is good and
day—from what to eat to what to wear
right for you.
to how to treat friends at school. There may be times in your life
Decisions are everywhere. What you
when you are offered drugs or
decide is entirely up to you.
alcohol by a peer. There are so
Being a person of character means
when you choose to use drugs or
y
of decisions each day, you are asking
alcohol. It directly affects your
yourself, “Am I keeping what is right at
long term health—thus why it is
on l
the forefront?”
illegal for you to smoke, drink, or use drugs. Rules are made for
Too many times it’s easy to
your safety, and should not be
get caught up in peer
broken. Not only does the
pressure and the
use of drugs or alcohol hurt
desire to belong to
your body, it impairs your
the group and not
judgment and could lead
e
stick out. But it’s
you to make decisions that
making is most important.
you will regret later.
pl
in those times that decision
SAY NO TO DRUGS
many risks that are involved
that as you are making these hundreds
People of character take seriously. How you choose to live your life is a direct
Sa
reflection of your character. The decisions you make today impact your future. Make those decisions wisely.
10
MAKE GOOD DECISIONS
m
decision making very
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
TIME MANAGEMENT
When you have your entire “life”
People of Character… in Time Management
in your planner, you are able to see week-at-a-glance and know how your
Do you feel like you’re always trying to
evenings will be spent, and therefore,
juggle several things that you’re
you might want to make every effort
involved in just to keep your head
to use every minute in school
above water?
efficiently so that you don’t have
BIG PICTURE
the big picture. You can see the Do you feel like you’re always busy?
homework. There’s a reason why it’s called a planner—it’s meant to help
fact of life in our society. The toughest
you plan ahead so that you use your
part is finding balance in your life.
time in and out of school effectively!
y
Young adults today are busy. It’s a
You need time with your friends, time and most importantly, time for you.
for you. Every minute of every day
Carving out enough time for each of
does not have to be a specific task.
those aspects of your life is difficult,
In order for your mind and body to
but it can be done well if you plan for it!
stay balanced, you need “down” time. Be sure to allow time for you to do
You have been given a great
things that you enjoy—perhaps
reading a book, writing in a journal, listening to your favorite music on
parents expect you to use it, but
your MP3 player, visiting your favorite
pl
planner! Your teachers and your
websites, etc. By taking some time for
about you! If you learn to use
you, you will be better
your planner well now, you will
able to deal with the
set yourself up for success. Many
stress!
m
your planner isn’t about them—it’s
adults today use either paper or
electronic planners every single
day to stay organized. They are
Sa
PLANNERS RULE
e
tool for time management—this
busy, too, and when you’re a
parent, not only do you have your
own schedule to keep straight, but
you have your entire family’s
schedule to keep organized as well! If you begin a good habit of keeping a good planner now, your life later on will be much easier.
11
DOWN TIME
Above all, don’t forget to plan time
on l
for your activities, time with your family,
STRESS MANAGEMENT
People of Character… In Dealing with Stress
that it is about because it wasn’t true in the first place. A person of character will choose not to take
Is being a high school student
part in the “drama.” They take
stressful? There are lots of high school
the high road and live the Golden
students who feel stressed every day.
Rule—Do unto others as you would have them do to you. No one wants to be hurt emotionally
school and get good grades for yourself
or physically. Do your best to
and also preparation for your career.
keep hurt from happening to
With this pressure comes the stress of
yourself or others.
y
more challenging classes than you had in previous years. It’s expected as you
What about getting your first
grow and develop mentally, you need to ways, therefore, with each year in
new computer. This can be a
school comes higher expectations from teachers. And then several times a
challenging venture to manage a work schedule, homework, time
year, stress levels rise in your schools as it’s time to take the tests for chapters
with friends, and extracurricular activities. Be careful with your
time and make sure adding the
this could stress a person out…and this
responsibility of a job doesn’t
is just from school.
interfere with your education.
pl
e
or state/national assessments. All of
What about outside of academics?
friends and dealing with “high school
stress! You need downtime every
m
yourself is a great way to relieve
because he said this or she said that,
your mind and body to get the
and the group that you hang out with is
rest it needs. You need to rest
getting all upset and talking about it
your world so that you can take
drama.” You know what this is—this
day to decompress and reflect on
person isn’t talking to that person
your day. This time alone allows
which causes even
on a new day tomorrow. Along
more stress so
with downtime, a regular exercise
now no one is
program is a great stress reliever.
talking to
Remember, schedule that time for
anyone. Or when
you. Your mind and body will
someone starts a
thank you for being respectful
rumor
and responsible to yourself,
about a
and your stress levels
person and
will decrease!
it truly does end up hurting the person
12
DECOMPRESS
Don’t forget taking time for
There’s stress that can come from
Sa HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA
spending money for a car or a
GET A JOB
be challenged to think in more diverse
job? You want your own
on l
EVERYDAY PRESSURE
There’s the pressure to do well in
HIGH SCHOOL DRAMA
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
13
e
pl
m
Sa y
on l
PEOPLE OF CHARACTER IN
CITIZENSHIP
People of Character…in Being a Global Citizen
priceless. An educated mind can make solid decisions and make a difference in the world.
Being a person of character is Maybe your global impact will be to
far more than just being respectful, responsible, caring, and fair.
be valiant in your efforts to preserve the
It’s about taking all of those things
Earth. Championing recycling in your
and putting them into action by being
neighborhood and school could be a
a good citizen.
start. Reducing your global reduce our consumption of fossil fuels could be next. If the
world every single day. The rise in the
world is not taken care of today,
use of the Internet has expanded the
the Earth will not be the same
on l
availability of products by the click of
y
and services are traded all over the
for your children. Be proactive
a mouse. We are connected to people worldwide through technology,
today by being a global citizen and caring about the
but there are other ways that we can
NATION
Earth. You are the
be connected.
WORLD
impact by making choices that We live in a global society. Goods
future and the future
needs you to step up
Being a global citizen means that
e
and encourage conservation and
your personal decisions on your
global citizenship!
pl
you are aware and see the impact of
surroundings. Taking the time to care about your own school, city, state,
STATE
nation and world means that every day
m
is an opportunity to bring about change. One of the first decisions you have is
Sa
to take the privilege of an education seriously. The education that you are receiving is not something that
CITY
all people your age in the world have. Plug in to your education every single
value your education increases your impact on the world. An educated mind is
14
SCHOOL
day. Taking the time to
“Step up” to Citizenship *Instructions: Citizens impact the world with their personal decisions. Take a minute to fill in the staircase with things that you can do to impact each of the communities in which you are a member. Remember, every day is an opportunity
Sa
m
pl
e
on l
y
for good citizens to bring about change!
15
e
pl
m
Sa y
on l