Character Cards

You may have read on my profile that I'm the school counselor at a Character Education Partnership State and National School of Character; as an NSOC, we're asked to do outreach and help other schools integrate character education into the fabric of their schools so that it becomes a way of life rather than just another add-on. So all week long, I'm sharing fun infusion ideas along with some bonus bulletin board designs 
for your character building.


I'll start with the Character Cards I've been making to give away as door prizes for my February speaking gigs. First I typed up 54 challenges, questions and dilemmas onto Avery labels - ie. A stakeholder is someone who cares about and could be affected by your choices; who are the stakeholders in your decisions? - then I trimmed them slightly to fit the cards before affixing them. I gave a deck to one of our first-grade teachers and she uses them as Morning Meeting discussion starters. They could also be used as essay prompts.
  
You could put them in a center or work station and have kids discuss and/or act out the scenarios. At home, we incorporate them in our card games as a family; when we're playing War, for example, we'd discuss the winning card between having a battle and resuming play. So much potential . . . here are a few of the prompts: 


*If your neighbor isn't taking good care of her dog, what should you do?
*What can you do for someone if he's sad?
*If you could change one thing about your school, what would it be?
*Is it fair to punish the whole class for the misbehavior of a few kids?  Why or why not?
*How would it feel to be the new kid in class? What would you need?


How would you use Character Cards? Be one of the first three to reflect on that question below and I'll send you a digital file of 60 prompts that you can choose from to make a deck for your class. I wonder what your students would write if they could help you make the deck.


This type of Character Card allows students and faculty to catch one another showing good character.


 


These cards are displayed on a bulletin board like this:


This farmer's daughter is LOVIN' the Holstein Cow motif!


Here's another visual from our character building 
to show that we're hooked!


Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship - That's TRRFCC character!



42 comments

  1. I would use the character cards to assist in my social skills lessons and help my students reflect and make personal connections.

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    1. Thanks, Dizzle. Send me an email at gruenergang (@) sbcglobal.net and I'll attach the prompts so you can make a deck of cards for your social skills class!! Thanks for stopping by the Corner.

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  2. I would use the character cards to add to the bullying/ friendship unit that I am doing with my 4th graders. We are looking at characters in stories and talk about different character traits they have and how their traits develope the story.

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    1. Thanks Dee - I've emailed the templates your way. I appreciate you visiting the Corner and I'd LOVE to hear how the discussions with the cards go with your kiddos!

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  3. Cool idea. I'd use the cards as part of our restitution school-wide program in a class meeting format.
    Thanks for sharing:)
    Barbara
    Grade ONEderful

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  4. I'd love to have all the prompts you used for the deck and make a set for myself. What a great writing center that would make!


    ❤ Mor Zrihen from...
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  5. Barbara,
    where did you find all of these prompts? This is a really great idea that I would love to put into use with my 6th graders.

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    1. Hey JP - thanks for stopping by. I made up the prompts, but I'd be happy to share if you email me at gruenergang (at) sbcglobal.net

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  6. hi barbara! i have a client who is in need of character education and these prompts would be so helpful during our session. could you possibly send me a copy?
    -Lauren

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    1. Hi Lauren - if you'll send me your email address, I'd be happy to send the prompts I'm using.

      Barbara

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  7. Hi Barbara, I would love to have a set of character prompts to work with the children I work with on a variety of issues.

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  8. I would use these cards as an icebreaker in my social skills group. I would also share these with the teachers to encourage them to use them for class discussions or writing prompts.
    Thanks.

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  9. I'm currently running 6 art therapy groups for kids in grades K-12. These cards would be a great way to start a session. Perhaps a quick round of go fish and the winning hand gets to choose a topic from the last play he makes (i.e. the last couple cards left in his hand before he puts them down).

    Thanks for this very versatile idea. Please let me know if I can still get a copy of your prompts.

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    1. Hi Deb - I'd be more than happy to share the templates so you can print the questions onto cards ... just send me your email address. I agree that they'd be a great session starter to have on hand!

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  10. Is there a way u could up load the prompts u use? I'm a ms counselor & would use this with my groups & possibly in the class room

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  11. I love these! I teach 12-14 year olds and would love to use these to instill better self-esteem and self-awareness in my preteens. It's so important for young adults to learn HOW to think and make decisions and these are great topic starters!

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    1. Eve, I'd be happy to send them to you if you email me.

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  12. I'm a school psychologist and happened to have stumbled upon your wonderful blog! Feeling inspired by these lessons on character, what a great idea. It ties in so nicely with the social skills lessons we do. Where could I find a list of prompts to create a set of character cards?

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    1. Feel free to shoot me an email and I'll send mine to you! Or make up some of your own; basically they're just dilemmas and open-ended thinking questions.

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  13. These would be great to use with our middle school kids during our character ed advisory classes. If you don't mind sending me a copy, I'd love to use them.
    bstalder@473mail.net

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  14. I work with children ranging from elementary children to middle school children. I am often looking for ways to aid them in more positive interactions with peers, as well as teaching them to respect others and themselves. I often work with them on problem solving skills, getting to know each other, and working well with team members. I would like a copy of your character cards, if you would not mind sending me one. If you would not mind, please e-mail me a copy at robind@embarqmail.com.

    Thank you so much for your website. I enjoy looking at all of your wonderful ideas.

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  15. Hi,

    II would really love to use these with some of my o,der students to help with good decision making. I think that some of my kids would benefit from having good discussions about making good choices even though their friends might make different ones. Some of these prompts would help aid in the discussions!

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    1. Hi Emily - Please send me your email address and I'd be happy to send you the prompts.

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  16. Hi Barbara!

    I missed the game but would love to use the character cards with our students. If you're willing to share...please send to iamslyal@aol.com.

    Thanks!!

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  17. Hi Barbara!
    These are really great! I am a Mental Health Practitioner and I love talking about character development with clients. I like your idea of using it on playing cards since I play games often. I would love to get a copy of these prompts to get my clients thinking about character and healthy choices!

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  18. Hey Barbara!
    I am a middle school counselor and these would be great for some of the small groups that I run. I would also use them in Guidance class as a starting talking point to start the class with. This is a great idea!

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    1. Thanks, Nikki - feel free to send me an email and I'd be happy to send a copy of the prompts your way. bgruener5 (at) gmail.com

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  19. Hi Barbara. I work with children in a before and after school program. I would love to use the prompts for our morning group discussion. I plan on using the "I saw.. cards to give the students to take home. Hopefully since it's in writing they will reflect on it longer and help them in tough times. Alex

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  20. Hi Barbara, I work with children from age three to 25. They are mostly Hispanic and great to work with. I would love to use these with them to enhance their conversation skills. Jackie
    jackmck55@hotmail.com

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  21. I would use the cards in my therapy practice with children. My email is Alice.Bucher@cox.net

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  22. Are you still sharing your character prompts? This would be a great classroom activity. lundml@yahoo.com Thanks!

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  23. I would love to use them for kids in my counseling programs

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    1. Send me an email and I'd be glad to forward them to you.

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  24. Barbara-
    I would love a set of the prompts for Character Cards to use in my after school program class called Character Ed. My kiddos would love this
    Thanks! hollowayL4@pcsstn.com

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  25. I would love a set myself! apr.white@live.com

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  26. I would love a set of the prompts. Should I email you?

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    1. Yes, please email me and I'll send them your way, Amanda.

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  27. I love a set of the prompts for the Character cards...could you send them to angierams44@gmail.com

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  28. These are fantastic... I would love a set! It's such a neat idea! I could use them in my second grade classroom! Please send me a set at Kmharris004@yahoo.com
    -Kelly

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  29. Barbara
    I found your cards on Pinterest, and just thought these cards are fantastic!
    I love the idea of using your Character Cards with a Social Skills group.
    I would greatly appreciate it if you would share your file with me! :)
    Thank you so much!
    evansk@bernie.k12.mo.us

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  30. Hi Barbara,

    I'm working at an international school in Bangaldesh and something like this would be great. We are starting a decision making unit with our grade 7s and I'd like to use this. Can you send me the prompt? I'd really appreciate it,

    Brett
    bbracalenti@aisdhaka.org

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  31. Hi Barbara,
    These cards are fantastic...It's such a brilliant idea for pre- and in-service teachers ! I could use them in my teachers programs. Can I have a set of this prompt?

    All the best
    Angela
    acyen@gms.ndhu.edu.tw

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I really enjoy hearing from my readers; thanks for sharing your reflections with us!