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Character Education Study Guide
(PreK - 2)
Featuring
Casper the Ugliest Caterpillar

Key Character Traits

1. Kindness: A show of goodness, sympathy, or friendliness.
2. Patience: The ability to wait; to endure unpleasant things without complaining; calmness and understanding.
3. Self-control: Power over one’s emotions or actions.
4. Tolerance: The ability to bear unpleasantness or pain.
5. Creativity: The power or ability to show originality and imagination. (This trait is expressed through the activities in the workbook.)

Summary

Casper Caterpillar is ridiculed because of his appearance. Some of the other caterpillars think that Casper is very ugly. Casper questions their opinions. However, when he sees his reflection in a drop of dew, he realizes that he does not look the same as the other caterpillars. Yet, he decides that even though he may not be "pretty" on the outside, he is going to be kind to everyone. Casper’s acceptance of himself, his patience, his self-control, and his tolerance of others are finally rewarded.

Prereading Questions

1. Are people sometimes ridiculed because of their physical appearance and/or the way they dress?
2. Do you think people should be ridiculed because they do not look, act, or dress like everyone else? Discuss.
3. Should people try to change their physical appearance because they are different?
4. Are all people unique in their own way? Explain.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you believe that good rewards follow good behavior?
2. Is this true in Casper’s situation?
3. If you were ridiculed, how would you handle the situation? Would you have Casper’s attitude?
4. Can you control your actions and reactions?
5. How is Casper able to tolerate the unkind caterpillars?
6. Did you learn a lesson from Casper? What was the lesson you learned from him?

Review

1. Name the key character traits in the story. Give examples of each.
2. Can you use the character traits you have learned to help you control your behavior?
3. Name all of the character traits that you have learned this school year. Give as many examples as possible.

Character Education Study Guide
(Grades 3 - 5)
Featuring
Casper the Ugliest Caterpiller

Key Character Traits

1. Kindness: A show of goodness, sympathy, or friendliness.
2. Patience: The ability to wait; to endure unpleasant things without complaining; calmness and understanding.
3. Self-control: Power over one’s emotions or actions.
4. Tolerance: The ability to bear unpleasantness or pain.
5. Creativity: The power or ability to show originality and imagination. (This trait is expressed through the activities in the workbook.)

Summary

Casper Caterpillar is ridiculed because of his appearance. Some of the other caterpillars think that Casper is very ugly. Casper questions their opinions. However, when he sees his reflection in a drop of dew, he realizes that he does not look the same as the other caterpillars. Yet, he decides that even though he may not be "pretty" on the outside, he is going to be kind to everyone. Casper’s acceptance of himself, his patience, his self-control, and his tolerance of others are finally rewarded.

1. Are people sometimes ridiculed because of their physical appearance and/or the way they dress?
2. Do you think people should be ridiculed because they do not look, act, or dress like everyone else? Discuss.
3. Should people try to change their physical appearance because they are different?
4. Should every person accept and express his/her own individuality? Discuss.
5. Are all people unique in their own way? Explain.

1. Do you believe that good rewards follow good behavior?
2. Is this true in Casper’s situation?
3. If you were ridiculed, how would you handle the situation? Would you have Casper’s attitude? Why or why not?
4. Does everyone have control of his/her actions and reactions?
5. How is Casper able to tolerate the unkind caterpillars?
6. Are you a tolerant person? Explain. Give examples.
7. Did you learn a lesson from Casper? What was the lesson you learned from him?

1. Name the key character traits in the story. Give examples of each.
2. Can you use the character traits you have learned to help you control undesirable circumstances in your life?
3. Name all of the character traits that you have learned this school year. Give as many examples as possible.