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A Planner That Stimulates Character-Building Discussions
Featuring 48 weekly “discussion ideas” about individuals who have made a positive difference in the world, our CHARACTER COUNTS! School Agendas are designed to inspire by example and open dialogue among teachers, families, and students about the value of good character. By stimulating classroom and at-home discussions on topics based upon character traits associated with the Six Pillars of Character® (trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship), they help youth better understand and apply them to their daily lives.
Discussion Ideas Delivered in Five Simple Steps to Teachers and Families
Our unique people of character discussion idea concept may lay the foundation for implementing CHARACTER COUNTS! in grades K-12 and beyond or enhance an existing character education program. Like the one of politcal and spiritual leader Mohandas Gandhi above, these discussion ideas help students visualize how they, too, can exemplify good character. By focusing on the five components of each discussion idea as follows, educators in the classroom and families in the home are given a simple method for helping today’s youth become “people of character” in their very own schools, homes, and communities.
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Brief Biography with Original Drawing: This short synopsis of each person of character’s life is to be reviewed to establish for students when the person was born and died (if applicable) and detail his or her specific contributions to society. |
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Reference Web Site: Teachers and families are encouraged to visit this site with students to learn more about each person. |
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Inspirational Quotation: Complementing the discussion idea, the inspirational quotation shown with each character biography may be displayed in classrooms, hallways, or other common areas. It may also serve as a catalyst for classroom or home discussions focusing upon its meaning and author. |
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Trait-Related Contribution: Here we’ve matched each person’s story to a trait corresponding with one of the Six Pillars of Character to illustrate the topic of the week and explain how the person exemplifies good character. This section may be used to further highlight and talk about both the person's positive impact on the world and the qualities that define good character. In some schools, the pillar, which changes monthly, and trait being focused upon each week are read over the loudspeaker. Students are then asked to do their best to embody this pillar and trait and are recognized for doing so. |
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Question/Exercise: Each weekly question and/or exercise is meant to spur deeper classroom and home discussions about the topic of the week and offer students suggestions on how they can practice integrating the topic into their own lives. Such discussions allow students to share their points of view and achieve a greater understanding of the lesson at hand. Educators may also use each question/exercise as an individual student assignment to be reviewed as a class later in the week. |
Documented Research Supports Character Education
Documented research (see http://charactercounts.org/research/index.html) shows a successful character education program, bolstered by the consistent implementation of our agenda and reinforcement of the Six Pillars of Character, creates a more nurturing school climate conducive to learning while fostering better relationships among students. Other benefits include a reduction in violence and behavior problems, as well as better overall test scores. Additional free resources and training are available through CHARACTER COUNTS! (CharacterCounts.org).
Food for Thought...
Even if your school has not instituted a full-scale character education program, our agendas will guide educators and families in speaking with today’s youth about the importance of good character. When such conversations become a part of a young person’s daily life, so do strong character and a sense of responsibility. We at Alliance Publishing and Marketing, Inc. are pleased our unique student planners can play a vital role in creating young members of society who are concerned not only with bettering their own lives but also the world around them.