Character Building

Character building is an essential part of a child’s education – learning about caring for others, people skills, service, leadership, and so on. Part of the pledge K-Kids members make is “to foster and develop strong moral character.” The following resources can be used for classroom or club meetings about character education.

Free Spirit is the leading publisher of learning tools that support young people’s social and emotional health. We help children and teens to think for themselves, succeed in life, and make a difference in the world. Visit the Free Spirit Publishing Web site at www.freespirit.com to review the character education and service project resources available.

The following are suggestions and tips for how to use materials from Free Spirit Publishing to deliver a powerful character education program:

• Purchase books about character. Place your club’s information in the books and donate them to a school library.
• Read books about character education to other students. Use these books to participate in the Read Around the World project.
• Display posters about diversity, acceptance, and good character throughout your school or community center.
• When planning club projects, books about service learning can be great resources for developing activities that highlight and teach character education.
• Participate in Character Counts Week in October. Go to their Web site to find out how other students celebrate. Plan a special project in recognition of this week. Free Spirit Publishing materials can provide your club with many great ideas for this fun and educational week.

Log onto Teach with Movies and utilize tools available to create programs where students watch movies about character and conduct a discussion using provided worksheets. A small fee is involved, but this is an affordable and fun idea!

When planning projects consider using a monthly theme specific to building good character. Here's an example: January is show you care month. During February projects might focus on promoting acceptance of the differences in others. A new character trait can be investigated every month. Plan projects around that character trait.

Character Education Resource

Alliance for Youth

Founded after the presidents’ Summit for America’s Future in 1997, this organization is committed to fulfilling five promises to American youth:  Every child needs caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, marketable skills, and opportunities to serve.  This collaborative network includes resources, information, and opportunities for involvement.

National Mentoring partnership

The organization provides connections, training, resources, and advice to introduce and support mentoring partnerships.  The site is a wealth of information about becoming and finding a mentor. 

Search Institute

Through dynamic research and analysis, this independent nonprofit organization works to promote healthy, active, and content youth and communities. Search Institute is a 501 © 3 nonprofit that conducts research, develops publications, and provides technical assistance that supports the healthy development of all children and adolescents.  Search Institute’s mission is to provide leadership, knowledge, and resources to promote healthy children, youth, and communities.

Connect for Kids

This site provides tips, articles, resources, volunteer opportunities, and more for adults who want to improve the lives of children in their community and beyond.  Includes Richard Louv’s 101 Things You Can Do For Our Children’s Future.

National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC)

The NYLC brings kids, educators, and community leaders together to make sure that kids are seen, heard, and actively involved in community organizations and decision-making.

GoodCharacter.com

Discussion questions, learning activities, writing assignments and other useful resources for educators.  Recommended by the Parents’ Choice Foundation.

Center for the 4th & 5th Rs (Respect and Responsibility)

A regional, state, and national resource in character education, founded by Dr. Thomas Lickona.  Subscribe to the free online newsletter.

Children Lead

A division for LeadershipVillage.com, this site offers daily tips and informative articles about parenting for character and leadership.

The Giraffe Project

The Giraffe Project works to inspire K-12 students to be courageous, active citizens.  Their site includes helpful resources and extraordinary stories about heroes of all ages who are willing to stick out their necks to help others.

National Education Association – Help for Parents

When parents are involved in their children’s education, kids do better in school.  Here’s advice from experts on how to help your child achieve and succeed.  Includes guides for parents on understanding testing; helping your child with reading, math, and science; and getting involved in your child’s school.

PTO Today

Founded June 1, 1999, PTO Today, Inc. has quickly established itself in the center of the parent group world as a valuable resource for parent group leaders and as a reliable connection between those leaders and parent group marketers. With a focus on providing the expertise parent group leaders need and the programs and services that can help those parent group leaders help their schools, PTO Today has built the only connection to all K-8 parent group leaders, regardless of parent group acronym.

If you have any suggestions or questions regarding these character building resources, please contact Lisa Pyron.