Ideas and Strategies

• Promote a wide range of diverse teaching strategies that provide opportunities for all learners to engage with the curricular materials.
• Provide opportunities to address ethical issues in all content areas. Weave the question “What is the right thing to do?” into discussions.
• Have journal writings focus on character development traits.
• Have students create character posters of people who exemplify one or more of the character traits.
• After a unit of study, have students create a character “quilt” (using paper, felt, etc.) that details the character traits that are associated with what they have studied.
• Have students create a “chain of kindness”—a paper chain with acts of kindness written on each link.
• Provide “anonymous compliments” activities by having students draw a name of a classmate and write down a compliment. Place these in the “compliment box,” and after review by the teacher, give to the student. Staff members might also enjoy this activity.
• Have your students participate in the Laws for Life essay contest.
• Utilize read alouds as examples of strong character. Chicken Soup books and some newspaper human-interest stories are good resources for this.

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