Lesson Plan: Trustworthiness
Six Pillar Shuffle

Time in session: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Evaluation time: 5 minutes
 

Goal: To present the Trustworthiness pillar from Character Counts!sm to participants and discuss character driven behavior.
 
Objective 1: To increase participant understanding of "How to Build Character: Methods" from the Character Counts!sm program. (15-20 minutes)

Section:
"How to Build Character: Methods" from the Character Counts!sm curriculum

Overheads 3 - 8

Outcome: Group will discuss aspects of building character.

Presenter says:
Character education involves every person, every agency and organization, and every business in a community. On a daily basis each of us models character for the children and youth around us. We model character when we drive, when we greet another person, in our dealings on the phone and in the television shows we choose to watch. In building a character education program in your community, consider the following:

Overheads  3, 5, 6, 7 and/or 8

Presenter says:
Character education can be built upon the six pillars of Character Counts!sm or other character qualities. We chose Character Counts!sm because it meets the Extension philosophy of presenting information that is not biased and can be adapted to meet the needs of local groups.

Let's talk about the first pillar of Character Counts!sm: trustworthiness.
 
 
 
Objective 2: To increase participant understanding of the Trustworthiness pillar from the Character Counts!sm curriculum. (25-35 minutes)

Section:
Character Counts!sm Six Pillars: Trustworthiness

Overheads 6 - 23, 35, 36, 42, 72 - 103

Outcome: Each participant will report an increased understanding of the Trustworthiness pillar from the Character Counts!sm curriculum.

Presenter says:
The first pillar in the Character Counts!sm education program is Trustworthiness. The pillar trustworthiness includes four ethical principles: integrity, honesty, promise-keeping, and loyalty. Each of these principles is essential for close relationships, friendships and associations between organizations. Please take a moment to consider what each of these words mean to you both personally and professionally.

Activity:
Ask participant to share the meaning of one of the four principles of trust with another person and have them discuss the similarities and differences of their meanings. (5 minutes)

Presenter says:
Trustworthiness is the bedrock of the Character Counts!sm education program. Erik Erikson, a developmental psychologist, tells us that trust is the first building block of all relationships and one that is essential in every person's life. Without trust in both themselves and others, no child, youth or adult can feel entirely safe in their community. We need to think about how we can build the trustworthiness of our community.

Activity:
Have people brainstorm how they might build trust through suggested activities in their community. (5 minutes)

Summarize their suggestions.

Presenter says:
Let's talk about the four principles of trustworthiness a little more:

Overheads 6, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, and 23

Presenter says:
We're going to do a short activity. Please find a partner and after you look at the next five overheads, select one that you would want to show to a group of children or young people. Discuss with your partners what question you would ask this group. (3 minutes)

Overheads 35, 36, and 42.

Presenter says:
Three other principles are associated with trustworthiness: honesty, promise-keeping and loyalty. Let's look at some overheads that illustrate these principles:

Overheads 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 81, 92, 93, 94, 95, 100, and 103.

Presenter says:
We have spent the past 45 minutes talking about the four principles of trustworthiness: integrity, honesty, promise-keeping and loyalty. Every program that we work with can be enhanced with these four principles.

There is additional information in your notebook about this pillar. We are now going to talk about how we can use the pillar of trustworthiness to enhance the programs for children, youth and families.
 
 
 
Objective 3: To increase experience of counties and groups in using and developing activities to promote six pillars. (15-20 minutes)

Sources:
Select stories from the Resources section of notebook for discussion.

Character Counts!sm Six Pillars: Trustworthiness overheads not used during presentation

Outcome: Each participant will participate in activities that TAEX team shares with group. Participants will share other ideas for promoting character activities.

Presenter says:
There is an infinite number of ways we can enhance our programs with the pillar of trustworthiness. Your challenge as an educator is to consider the needs of your audience and the age appropriate level that you will present this information.

Activity:
Choose from the three sources above to build this section of the presentation.

This is a wonderful time for group involvement and discussion. Here are some questions you might ask the group:

  1. What is one aspect of trustworthiness that you want to include in your model of character education?

  2.  
  3. Consider the age of your group, what aspect of trustworthiness do you think will be most age appropriate for the group?

  4.  
  5. How will you train your youth or adult leaders about the trustworthiness pillar?
Presenter summary:
Trustworthiness is one of the six pillars included in the Character Counts!sm program. Please remember to consider how this pillar can be presented in an age appropriate way to your audience.

Now let's take a moment and complete the evaluation of this session on trustworthiness.

 

 

Educational programs of the Texas Cooperative Extension are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

Last updated: November 5, 2001