Character education programs are essential for shaping students into thoughtful, responsible, and compassionate individuals who are prepared to make a positive impact on their communities. As a teacher, you have the unique opportunity to not only educate your students in academics but to help them develop the core values that will guide them throughout their lives. These values are the foundation of becoming true leaders and active citizens. At the Medal of Honor Foundation, we’re proud to offer a variety of free, engaging, and flexible character-building lessons through our Character Development Program (CDP), designed to help your students grow into the heroes and leaders of tomorrow. Our lessons are designed to be easy to use, highly adaptable to any curriculum, and perfect for inspiring self-reflection and action in your students. 

Let’s dive into what makes these programs valuable and transformative for your students’ growth and character development. Just register, and you will gain access to it all at no cost!

What Are Character Education Programs?

Character education programs provide a learning experience that helps students understand, care about, and live according to core ethical values. In doing so, character-building programs foster responsible and compassionate citizens who are primed to be the heroes and leaders of tomorrow. 

Dynamic, engaging, and immersive, learn what makes CDP some of the best character development programs designed for teachers and by teachers!

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Middle & High School Lessons: Building Stronger Foundations

We offer a range of character education programs for middle schools and high schools (6th to 12th grade) that are engineered to instill students with the character they need to succeed both in the classroom and in life and guide them through enlightening self-discovery. 

Designed to inspire your students to always strive for excellence and grow into responsible, engaged citizens, these lessons will make your students examine and reflect on the lives of Medal of Honor Recipients closely and the values they resolutely embodied even when facing impossible odds.

Your students will reflect on their own character and be inspired to impact and uplift their local communities. Each lesson synthesizes direct instruction with thoughtful discussions, hands-on character development activities, and videos that teach character lessons through the lens of our nation’s real-life heroes. 

These lessons are flexible, and you can easily adjust them as needed. Whether you are looking to build a whole course around these lessons, want to pull select lessons to honor holidays like Veterans Day, or honor celebrations like Black History Month, you can find a way to use these resources in a way that caters to your unique needs.

There are lessons for a range of different disciplines and subjects, so you will surely find character-building lessons for your class! 

For example, in our “Survival Math” lesson, your students will learn to connect math skills like algebra and geometry to real life while gaining a deep appreciation for the Medal of Honor values: courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment.  

This lesson comes with a downloadable lesson plan and a riveting video module that revolve around the unbelievable story of Lieutenant Colonel Leo K. Thorsness, who displayed extraordinary heroism during a mission over North Vietnam, risking his life to suppress missile sites, protect downed crew members, and engage MIG-17 fighters. 

Despite running low on fuel, he selflessly returned to the hostile area to protect the rescue operation, ensuring the survival of fellow airmen. Students will be awed by the sheer will to survive under extreme pressure while learning and honing crucial math skills!   

Related Article: Free Character Development Lessons Aligned with State Standards

PATH TO HONOR: Empowering Students with Leadership and Integrity

Courage. Sacrifice. Patriotism. Citizenship. Integrity. Commitment. These values define the Medal of Honor and are essential for shaping your students’ character, but teaching them can be challenging with limited time, resources, and character education programs available. 

PATH TO HONOR offers a free, interactive platform designed to help students explore these values through the real-life, awe-inspiring stories of Medal of Honor Recipients through writing exercises and classroom discussions that are sure to encourage self-discovery and meaningful character growth.

Whether used independently by students or guided by teachers, this flexible tool will nurture personal development, strengthen social-emotional skills, and enhance your civics and history lessons. PATH TO HONOR provides short, engaging video lessons on each of the six core values, allowing students to learn directly from the heroes themselves.

With PATH TO HONOR, you’ll inspire students to reflect on their character and how they can apply these values in their own lives. This resource is perfect for classroom use, after-school programs, homeschooling, or history enthusiasts. Start your students on their journey today and foster a deeper understanding of the values that shape strong, responsible citizens.

For example, one of the video lessons revolves around Staff Sergeant Henry Eugene “Red” Erwin, who was an excellent example of Sacrifice. Students will learn about his story and be faced with a moral dilemma themselves: when faced with a burning bomb in a crashing plane, what would they do?

As they learn about Staff Sergeant Erwin’s incredible story, consider how they would react, discuss their thoughts with their peers, and meditate on the true meaning and value of sacrifice, you will have a front-row seat to character growth unlike any other.

Related Article: Path to Honor: Free Leadership Video Lessons for Teachers & Parents

Online Training: A Convenient Way to Implement Character Education

As a teacher, you are more familiar with learning curves than anybody! No matter what the material or tool is, using it to achieve the best possible result will take some work. So, we are more than happy to provide you with online training to seamlessly implement our character education programs! 

Our online training portal provides you with everything you need to know to use the Character Development Program. Whether you want to use the computer at your home or work desk or use a mobile device while you’re on a break, you can train at your convenience.

With this training, you’ll dive into the curriculum and learn how to apply it in your classroom through text, videos, and activities. The modules will:

• Introduce you to the Medal of Honor and its Recipients
• Help you explore the values at the core of the program
• Guide you through model lessons
• Show real student work and outcomes

This training is free, available to you 24/7, and easy to complete in chunks. It will even give you the opportunity to interact with educators across the country through our message boards.

Related Article: CDP Printable Classroom Awards: The Importance of Student Recognition

Do You Need Character Education Programs to Turn Your Students into the Leaders of Tomorrow? Register for Free to Get Access Today!

The future of our society depends on the next generation, and as a teacher, you have a crucial role in shaping students into responsible, compassionate, and engaged citizens. By incorporating character education into your lessons, you’re helping students build the values they need to lead with integrity and purpose. At the Medal of Honor Foundation, we’re proud to offer free, engaging, and adaptable character education programs that inspire self-reflection and personal growth. 

Start integrating these transformative resources today by visiting our Secondary Lessons page for the Character Development Program, where you’ll find free lessons, as well as the innovative PATH TO HONOR program. Together, we can build a brighter future, one lesson at a time.