What struggles did the Schechter Brothers face and how did they refuse to give up their values or compromise their integrity? Students will use this example to think about ways they can be purposeful in their own lives.

Essential Question

• Why is it important in a healthy civil society for individuals to act with integrity?

Guiding Questions

• What are some possible consequences of not keeping one’s promises?   
• What are the elements required to act with integrity?     
• What are the risks of acting with integrity when it is unpopular or puts one at risk?    

Learning Objectives

• Students will use the story of the Schechter Brothers to identify acts of integrity and how they affect civil society.  
• Students will reflect and analyze previous experiences to recognize integrity in their lives.  
• Students will identify beliefs that are important to themselves and how they can stay true to these beliefs when they are challenged. 

Student Resources

• Engage Handout: What does ‘integrity’ mean?
• Schechter Brothers & Integrity Narrative
• Virtue in Action Handout

Teacher Resources

Download a PDF of the whole lesson plan

• Analysis Questions
• Virtue in Action
• Journal Activity
• Sources for Further Reading
• Virtue Across the Curriculum

• The following lesson asks students to consider the virtue of integrity. Students will engage with the story of the Schechter Brothers as they consider the question: Why is it important for a healthy civil society for individuals to act with integrity? 
• The main activity in this lesson requires students to read and analyze a narrative that explores how the Schechter Brothers made decisions based on integrity. Students may work individually, in pairs, or in small groups as best fits your classroom. The analysis questions provided can be used to help students comprehend and think critically about the content. As the teacher, you can decide which questions best fit your students’ needs and time restraints.   
• Additionally, students will apply what they learned about integrity to identify beliefs that are important to themselves and how they can stay true to these beliefs when they are challenged. 
• Lastly, the lesson includes sources used in this lesson for further reading and suggestions for cross-curricular connections.