Re: Character Education
Posted by Kerry in BC on 7/02/08
Good morning,
Like the other recent posters, I agree that character education, taught as a
separate subject and set aside from real life, has little value. BUT,
character education naturally embedded into the day to day happenings of
the classroom has enormous value. My own personal approach to character
education is to use Marvin Marshall's Hierarchy from his Discipline without
Stress approach.
Although, to use Tom's wording, any type of "humanistic" discipline approach
could certainly be used foster positive character traits, I just find that
having taught the four concepts of Marshall's Hierarchy as part of my
approach to encouraging self-discipline, I already have a common language
with my students and a built-in way to take advantage of opportunities that
highlight various character traits.
The beauty of the DwStress Hierarchy is that it's meant to be used in real
life situations--as they actually happen--in the classroom, in the gym, at
the water fountain line-up, or out on the playground, etc. Everyday
situations provide countless opportunities to discuss kindness, tolerance,
honesty, patience, responsibility, etc., in very real and, therefore,
meaningful ways.
I have a couple of stories on my blog from my own classroom in which I
describe how I use the Hierarchy to build discussions of character with
even very young children (K/1). Just by coincidence, both stories deal
with aspects of INTEGRITY. They might be of interest to the original
poster of this thread or to others.
Although the stories on my blog are from my primary classroom, I also have
a second teaching job in which I work at an alternate high school as a
literacy teacher with 16-19 year olds. I use the same type of Hierarchy
conversations with my older students to help them build positive character
traits as well.
For many of these disadvantaged and discouraged kids, it's often the very
first time that anyone has ever been able to show them in a CONCRETE way
that they too display moments of high personal motivation. For instance,
admitting to yourself as a teenager that you are a non-reader and being
willing to start from scratch again (with Kindergarten and Grade One reading
materials) shows great strength of character. Being able to concretely
show them this using the Hierarchy chart is very encouraging and uplifting.
Finally on summer holidays!
Kerry in BC
PS I only see a way of adding ONE link per post. So, I'll make another
posting to give the second link.
Integrity at the Beach
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Character Education, 6/29/08, by Liyah.
- Re: Character Education, 6/29/08, by Sara.
- Re: Character Education, 6/29/08, by Liyah.
- Re: Character Education, 6/30/08, by Sara.
- Re: Character Education, 6/30/08, by Tom.
- Re: Character Education, 7/02/08, by mrsd.
- Re: Character Education, 7/02/08, by MRS.L..
- Re: Character Education, 7/02/08, by Kerry in BC.
- Re: Character Education-second link, 7/02/08, by Kerry in BC.
- Re: Kerrycter Education, 7/02/08, by Tom.
- Re: Kerrycter Education, 7/26/08, by Leah.
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