<p>Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: (1) menganalisis kebutuhan pendidikan karakter dalam pembelajaran apresiasi cerita rakyat; (2) mengkaji nilai-nilai cerita rakyat sebagai materi ajar; dan (3) membuat prototipe model pendidikan karakter dalam pembelajaran apresiasi cerita rakyat. Penelitian deskriptif kualitatif tahun I ini menggunakan pendekatan R &amp; D, yang dilaksanakan di 15 sekolah dasar mulai Mei-Oktober 2015. Subjek penelitian adalah siswa kelas V, guru kelas, dan pengambil kebijakan. Penentuan sampel secara <em>stratified</em> <em>random</em> <em>sampling. </em>Tempat dan peristiwa, informan, cerita rakyat, dan dokumen sebagai sumber data. Teknik pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara, dan analisis dokumen. Analisis data menggunakan teknik analisis interaktif. Hasil penelitian: (1) analisis kebutuhan diidentifikasi atas: visi misi sekolah belum menjadi panduan budaya kerja; permasalahan siswa di kelas dipengaruhi kegiatan pembelajaran guru; pendidikan karakter dipengaruhi faktor pembinaan, keteladanan, model, dan pembiasaan; (2) materi ajar disusun berdasarkan tingkat keterbacaan dan daya pikir siswa; dan (3) model didesain melalui tahap pengorganisasian nilai-nilai, pengondisian pembelajaran, internalisasi nilai-nilai, dan pengembangan nilai-nilai. Pembelajaran apresiasi cerita rakyat menggunakan media wayang kancil sangat menarik dan menyenangkan sebagai model pendidikan karakter di sekolah dasar.</p><p> </p><p>This study aims: (1) analyzing the character education needs in learning the appreciation of folklore; (2) examine the folklore values as teaching materials; and (3) create a prototype character education model in learning the appreciation of folklore. This qualitative descriptive research in the first year is using R &amp; D approach, which is implemented in 15 elementary schools from May to October 2015. Research subjects are the students of class V, classroom teachers, and policy makers. Determination of sample by stratified random sampling. Places and events, informants, folklore, and documents as a source of data. Data collection techniques through observation, interviews, and document analysis. Data analysis using interactive analysis techniques. Result of the research: (1) needs analysis identified on: vision of school mission not yet become guide of work culture; students' problems in the classroom are influenced by teacher learning activities; character education is influenced by coaching factors, modeling, modeling and habituation; (2) teaching materials are prepared based on the students' legibility and thinking level; and (3) models are designed through the stages of organizing values, conditioning learning, internalizing values, and developing values. learning the appreciation of folklore using Kancil wayang media is very interesting and fun as a model of character education in elementary school.</p>