More on character education
By now, I hope you've had the chance to read the Sunday story on character education. And I hope you will attend our character education forum tomorrow night in High Point.
This story took me nearly two months to report and write. I encountered lots of great educators at schools all cross Guilford County; they really are doing some wonderful things in trying to teach kids right from wrong.
Unfortunately, we didn't have space to include everyone. So here is my effort to at least acknowledge them.
Over at Lindley Elementary, I sat in on Karen Sexton's second-grade class when she was reviewing the school's character education traits from the previous months: initiative, respect, uniqueness, peace and orderliness.
"What is an example of peace?" Sexton asked the class, who watched as she stood in front of the chalkboard. Student Trey Hiers' hand shot up from the crowd.
"You care more about each other than winning an argument," he said.
It's hard to get away from character education at Gillespie Park and Frazier elementary schools. Both schools have made character education a school-wide focus.
"If a teacher isn't accepting of it, the class isn't accepting of it," Gillespie Park principal Darcy Kemp said.
At Frazier, principal Laverne Bass ends her morning announcements by reminding the school to "Be kind, be responsible, be the best you can be." Photos of the Bus Citizens of the Week - students who have shown good behavior on the buses - are posted at the front of the south Greensboro school.
Students, such as Southeast High School's Megan Watson, are doing some great things, too. Watson and her classmates recently collected 2,000 cans of food for needy families. Students organized the project, collected the food and delivered it to a local food pantry.
"Four of us loaded our cars down and took them to Urban Ministries," Watson said. "We had to drive really slow!"
Private schools are getting in on the act, too.
Over at Greensboro Day School, sixth-grade teacher Jennifer Huitsing organized what she calls "Pay it Forward" projects. Students had to pick a group of people locally to help. They spent four months on the projects and documented what they did.
Greensboro Day's sixth-grade students also organized a blood drive.
Also, here are some thoughts on character education from local students, teachers and principals:
"Character education is really trying to complete the child. We can teach all the academics in the world, but if they don't know how to get along with others, it doesn't do them a bit of good."
- Lewis Baker, first-grade teacher, Gillespie Park Elementary
"It feels good to give."
- Caroline Livesay, fifth-grade student, Jefferson Elementary. She and other Jefferson students raised more than $3,000 for medical research through Pennies for Patients.
"The biggest thing that's lacking in society is character. If we can do something early in the development stage, maybe they can carry that with them as they get older."
- David Kirkland, fourth-grade teacher, Shadybrook Elementary
"At its best, (it's) about training leaders: citizens who model good behavior at school and at home."
- Spencer Smith, parent, Jefferson Elementary
"We can solidify character by praising them. Even if you have to search for something to compliment them on, compliment them."
- Cher Younger, physical education and health teacher, Eastern High School
"We put just as much emphasis on character development as we do academic development."
- Lewis Ferebee, principal, Fairview Elementary
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And one other thing: local Rotary Clubs and Greensboro College gave Guilford County Schools funding to help get its character education program off the ground in the late 1990s.
It's always great to see private individuals and clubs help out the schools. I sure wasn't trying to slight the Rotarians in the story. As I was researching the story, no one mentioned their contribution to me.
But now that I know, I didn't want the Rotary Clubs and Greensboro College to go unnoticed.
Posted on February 28, 2005 3:55 PM
Positivity Products for Character Education
Today, my dear friend Ann Hughes launched a great line of children's character building products called "Positivity" products- they're all designed to engage adults and children in thought-based exercises to encourage children to identify, practice and reinforce positive character in their daily lives through rewarding positive behaviors.
As you have noted, character education is on the rise nationally and these products makes practicing positive choices easy, fun and rewarding for children! Brogan the alligator, Dex the hippo, Ellis the elephant, Fifi the monkey and Calliope the parrot are just some of Just Good Stuff's adorable character creations that help adults take children on a journey of discovery.
Please take a look at the great website (www.justgoodstuffonline.com) and pass this message along to others. These products make great gifts from parents, grandparents or anyone who wants to make a special child feel "oh so special." They're ideal for the classroom so if you have children in school, please let their teachers know about this too! There's even a line of restaurant Positivity PlacematsT that are great for restaurant owners to offer to their patrons.
Posted on November 1, 2005 4:56 PM