This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills.  For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to generationon.org.

Anticipatory Set

Ask the students to raise their hands if they have heard of Jackie Robinson. Give each student a copy of Attachment One: Jackie Robinson Quiz. Tell them you want them to fill out this quiz, guessing when they don't know the answer.

• Read aloud the Time magazine article written by Henry Aaron about Jackie Robinson. (See the link below.) Before reading, tell the students to take notes as you read the article of ways that Jackie Robinson showed courage [bravery; the ability to confront fear or uncertainty]. They may also update the quiz answers if some of the questions are answered in the reading.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,991262,00.html

• Discuss the examples of Jackie Robinson's courage and why he was determined to show that courage.