Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Medal of Honor
Character Development Program

Prepare Your Students for Success Inside & Outside the Classroom

As a teacher, you deserve to have the resources you need to inspire your students to become the heroes of tomorrow. That’s precisely what the Medal of Honor Character Development Program (CDP) supplies you with!

Nine in ten Americans (91%)* believe there are challenges to youth being able to learn values and character traits today. CDP aims to address these challenges through academically grounded lessons that teach courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism from kindergarten through 12th grade.

*Results from a 2023 Medal of Honor Foundation Survey

Empower Your Students with Free Lessons

These free, comprehensive, and ready-made lessons are designed to shape your students into the next generation of leaders. By integrating Medal of Honor Recipients’ stories into engaging lessons, CDP empowers students to:

  • Build strong character.
  • Develop leadership skills.
  • Become active citizens.
  • Embrace the spirit of service.
Secondary Schools Elementary Schools
Character development program classroom

Why Choose CDP?

Teachers nationwide have leveraged the Character Development Program to prepare their students for success inside and outside the classroom. Here’s how CDP can equip you with the resources you need to transform the classroom into an inspiring learning experience:

  • Teacher-designed and student-centered: Created by teachers for teachers, our lessons are engaging, practical, effective, and promote autonomy in students.
  • Cross-curricular integration: Easily incorporate CDP lessons into your existing curriculum, no matter the subject — minimum lesson planning required!
  • Flexible and adaptable: You can easily customize and seamlessly adapt these lessons to t your students’ needs and teaching style.
  • Real-world impact: Inspire students with the extraordinary stories of Medal of Honor recipients, whom they will model their character after.
  • Perfect for classroom or distance learning: CDP offers options and lesson adaptations that cater to classroom and distance learning environments.

These engaging and interactive lessons come with independent activities, group activities, worksheets, self-exploration activities, discussion and presentation prompts, videos, and more.

Start your CDP journey today with free elementary and secondary school lessons below!

Secondary Schools Elementary Schools
Character development program classroom

Teachers Share What They Love About CDP

There is a great variety of resources for all kinds of lessons. They are well written and very user friendly. I also love the Dear Young American series. I think students can really connect!
Amy T., Middle School Teacher

Middle & High School Lessons

Challenge older students with in-depth lessons that explore the lives and sacrifices of Medal of Honor recipients. These lesson plans are designed for 6th–12th grade students and foster critical thinking, research skills, and a deeper understanding of history.

During these lessons, students will also develop character values that will bene t them and their communities.

Explore Secondary Lessons
Character development program classroom

Elementary School Lessons

Lay the foundation for future heroes with CDP’s elementary lessons designed for K–6th grade students.

These lessons introduce young learners to the values of courage, commitment, integrity, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism through engaging stories of Medal of Honor Recipients and activities while teaching crucial academic skills, making their schools and communities better places to learn and live.

Explore Elementary Lessons
Character development program classroom