Character Development

Summer is over and poor Hailey is dreading going back to school. She just doesn't feel like she fits in. If only she could be tall like Tyler, or fast like Braden, or maybe even smart like Cade. But everyone knows that just can't happen... or can...

Isaac isn’t any ordinary alligator living quietly in the swamp. He’s an INSTIgator!  He spends his days spying on the neighbors and eavesdropping on their conversations. The more he listens, the more jealous he becomes. They have real...

Mom's Choice Award - Silver Medal Recipient Help children develop emotional intelligence skills in learning to accept and value differences in others! For Blue, the flower patch has always been the same—and Blue likes it that way. Purples hang...

Blank faces. Cold skin. Vacant eyes. Hands that constantly clutch digital devices. This is a world where everyone under the age of 17 has turned into a ZOMBIE PHONE KID! Day and night, zombie kids stare at their phones and me-pads until their eyes are a...

Back for more misadventures, Michael has really made an elephant-sized mess of it this time!  Michael McMichaels is a spirited, carefree third grader who enjoys adventure. Michael and his best friend, Kenny, like to build forts, play video games,...

It's not unusual for children to speak before they think about what they're going to say. Over time, they develop the ability to distinguish what they should say and what should be left unsaid. The first step in teaching children this skill is showing...

Any child can be an instigator like Isaac stirring up trouble at home, in the classroom, on a team, or among friends. If you have an instigator in your family or classroom, or have a child who is easily goaded into conflict, use these following...

Read the storybook Uniquely Wired to help your students gain acceptance and understanding of kids living with autism. The four activities will help drive home the lessons from the story. Students will have the opportunity to interpret that people see and...

Honesty is the best policy. Right? Sure, of course it is. But what happens when someone is a little too honest, and offers unsolicited - and way too much - information that may be hurtful to others? That's what happens when RJ struggles with his social...

All children need to share and take turns if they are going to get along with others and be successful.  But sharing can be a difficult skill for young children to learn.  These downloadable activities can help you teach children the importance...

It's easy for kids to feel sad when bad things happen in their lives. This is especially true when boys and girls are bullied or picked on or feel left out and isolated. Author and School Counselor, Bryan Smith, has developed four exercises to accompany...

Flexible thinking allows people to think about things in new ways or to incorporate new information into a specific plan or idea. Flexible thinkers are often able to come up with more than one solution to a problem or challenge. The ability to think...

Students will complete Random Acts of Kindness to help create an artistic display of a tree while learning the importance of applying compassion and kindness towards their peers. This activity can be done as a whole class, grade or entire school. The...

Overreacting is common for children, but as they get older, it becomes more important that they learn to manage their emotions and practice flexible thinking. Reinforce the message from Bryan Smith's My Day is Ruined! storybook, by displaying...

Technology is awesome, but children sometimes need a lot of help managing and using it wisely so it enriches, rather than wrecks, their lives. Remind students to "Think Before You Post" by displaying this colorful 8.5"x11" poster in classrooms, hallways,...