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Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Character Counts
If you've ever wondered "How am I supposed to teach my students to be good people?" Isn't that their parents' job? Here's a site to help! "Character Counts" is a program implemented by many schools to help students learn six pillars of good character. The six pillars of good character are: Trustworthiness, Caring, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, and Fairness. I've worked in two schools in which the Character Counts program was implemented. When the entire school implements the program, it can be SO effective! The students are getting reinforcement from every adult on campus,(including custodial staff, food service staff, and office staff) for exhibiting good character. It's a positive reinforcement program that will help your classroom management. Not only that, but schools that have implemented the Character Counts Program report that school-wide discipline problems declined significantly, making for a school climate conducive to learning.
We don't often think about it when we tell children they need to do the right thing; but some children have not yet been explicitly taught what exactly is the "right thing" to do. Sadly, some don't get the modeling from adults in their lives, and what they see on reality T.V. and You Tube is the antithesis of character building. What better way to create a level playing field for all the students in your class? For those whose families have already taught about good character, this program will reinforce what they learn at home. For those whose families have not taught about good character, this is an important life-changing skill they need to learn. The concepts and skills they learn will follow them to the work world, and into their public lives. No child in your class will be exempt from exhibiting qualities of good character, no matter what their background.
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Thanks for posting this, Sue. I checked out the website and it has some really good information. I think it’s helpful that for each of the six pillars, there are clear guidelines for how people can exhibit good moral character. I also like the emphasis on positive reinforcement.
ReplyDeleteThe Encinitas Elementary School District successfully adopted the Character Counts programs in its schools this past 2009-2010. I didn't witness the degree of involvement in the posted video, and the success with middle school students is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteIt points out to me that teachers don't realize that they have a rare opportunity to teach core values--the six pillars may not be taught to them by anyone else. There are fewer adults in students lives now. Parents are working longer hours, both parents work, and students are scheduled all day with after school athletics, clubs, etc. And the isolation of students in the virtual worlds of texting, Facebook, etc. I think that teachers don't need to worry about overstepping with parents--in my own case, my kids ignore me sometimes but listen to hear the same from other adults--and teachers are those adults with access (and credibility).
To me, one of the strongest features of Character Counts also teaches students how to cope with and behave in face-to-face interactions. It was powerful in the video to see that a girl who was cutting herself got help through her friend that respectfully reached out to teachers--it can work for teachers to teach values.
This is the first time I've heard of the Character Counts program. It would be interesting to see it in action. How is it implemented?
ReplyDeleteSome of the problems we have in U.S. schools don't exist in other countries--or at least not to the extent that they do here. There is such a lack of respect--both by kids to adults and kids to kids (not to mention adults to adults!) Personally, I think this has much to do with our me-first emphasis on individualism. Maybe parents need to spend a little less time shuffling their kids around to enrichment activities, and a little more time teaching character. I agree with Wes that kids are spending less and less time with adults. This problem stretches across the economic divide.
I love the idea of the Character Counts program! I really like the fact that this program includes the entire staff of a school including cafeteria workers and janitors! What a great program to show children that everyone wants them to have good character!
ReplyDeleteI really liked this character counts program. When I was driving back and forth between LA and San Diego last year I would listen to AM radio and their were character counts broadcasts. It made me think how rarely I encounter character education. I think that character education is needed in our public schools as much as the core subjects. How can we succeed in the future if our children cannot get along?
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