[printer friendly (text) page]

Character Education Resources

Character Education and Afterschool Programs– Easy ways to develop students of good character!

Character Education can and should be a focus of 21st Century Community Learning Center programs. In the legislation, it is written that 21st Century Community Learning Centers are “to provide expanded academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low performing schools. Tutorial services and academic enrichment activities are designed to help students meet local and state academic standards in subjects such as reading and math. In addition 21st CCLC programs provide youth development activities, drug and violence prevention programs, technology education programs, art, music and recreation programs, counseling and character education to enhance the academic component of the program.” (www.ed.gov)

There are many ways to integrate character education into afterschool programs. An effective character education program for an after school initiative does not have to take much funding, but it does take time and commitment of teachers and administrators. Use the following ideas to get you started. Each is just an idea that can evolve to an initiative specifically suited to your individual program.

Ideas!

Good character is built from service and caring for others. Try to incorporate as many service-learning projects, as possible, within the after-school program.

Have each group/class of after school students develop a code of behavior for their group.

Add character traits to student handbook guidelines.

Have students write their own definitions of good character and display them on a bulletin board.

Have students design and write posters that encourage positive, appropriate behavior.

Discuss and have students develop posters of students performing “acts of kindness”.

Encourage students to write thank you notes to community partners and school helpers.

Develop an after-school motto – that speaks to positive behavior and character.

Add books on character and moral development to your parent resource center.

Have students recognize and thank ALL members of the after-school family – bus drivers, janitors, etc. for their hard work and commitment.

Develop a handbook/guidebook for all partners who work in the program, giving very specific guidelines of how positive character is to be demonstrated by them and what is expected from students.

Have older students mentor and tutor younger students.

Model and discuss what good sportsmanship means. Encourage responsive and respectful behavior during athletic games and activities.

Talk about and encourage character development in letters, flyers and publication that are sent home to parents.

Read aloud before after-school activities begin a short story the emphasizes positive character and behavior. (The Chicken Soup” series has lots of great stories.)

Make an effort to add books for students to read and take home, that emphasize positive character. ( go to http://polk.ga.net/Westside/Charactered.html for a list of book suggestions that tie in with character traits.)

Use class meetings and pre-activity meetings to discuss concerns, issues, problems, conflicts before they escalate in to major conflicts.

Create a sense of ownership and caring of the after school space, encouraging students to decorate the space (if possible) and be responsible for keeping it clean and tidy.

Discuss “moral issues” or moral dilemmas that are in the news.

Have students set personal goals for themselves and work with other group members to track the goals and gather support to achieve them. Goals can be tracked on a bulletin board.

Help students to write poems, raps, song or other artistic expressions of positive character traits and behaviors. Have them perform their work for other classes and parent meetings.

Curriculum Connections – there are lots of ways to tie in your after-school academic program.

Include the study of “heroes”, especially local heroes, bringing out their character traits.
(see www.giraffe.org for lessons on heroes and character)

Visit www.ilovethatteachingidea.com/ideas/subj_character_ed.htm
for a list of great character education ideas that can be used as after school lessons and themes.

In the Winter months, you can have a whole character education program tied in to the Iditeron Dog Sled Race! Visit http://www2.grand-forks.k12.nd.us/ms/iditarod/pillars.htm for see the character traits related to the race. For general information on the Iditeron, visit http://midgefrazel.net/wqiditarod.html.

Older students can take quotes from famous people and describe what they say about character education. Visit http://www.leadershipnow.com/quotes.html for quote suggestions.

A wonderful book , “The Grouchy Ladybug” has lots of character connections. Visit http://www.leadershipnow.com/quotes.html for a complete lesson on the book.

The web also has programs and games students can play to help them learn lessons of character. Encourage your students to visit the following;

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/
Website allows students to play interactive games to learn about themselves and their role in the world.

www.pbskids.org/itsmylife
Website gives kids a chance to think and learn about family, friends, school and health.

http://pbskids.org/adventures/treasurebox/crossword/index.html
A crossword puzzle for older students to complete using character trait words.

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/games/bullies_flash.html
A fun game that helps students how to deal with bullies in their life.

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/school/time/article2.html
This site is full of helpful information for students to help them deal with all aspects of life – from chores to teachers to parents!

http://pbskids.org/rogers/R_house/build.htm#hold
Based on the Mr. Rogers neighborhood series, this site gives students the chance to think about all the components of a well functioning neighborhood.

http://pbskids.org/adventures/
Adventures from the Book of Virtues, a site based on the TV show which is based on William Bennetts’ Book of Virtures. Has games, activities, show clips, stories and suggestions for parents.