The Right Recipe: Baking Up Character Education
The implementation of character education in the classroom can help students learn how to regulate their emotions, build character traits, and show them how interact with peers in a way that is constructive. Within the umbrella of character education there are social emotional learning and growth mindset.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) foster growth mindset which focuses on developing thoughts, feelings, and actions. Regular instruction and activities in SEL are important for students because they can have a major impact on learning in the classroom.
“According to National University (2021), Social and emotional learning (SEL) aims to help students…better understand their thoughts and emotions, to become more self-aware, and to develop more empathy for others within their community and the world around them.”
1. Problem Solving
Students must be thinkers. Students must be doers. Students must be problem solvers. There are many activities to help your students develop different strategies to help them to work through their daily encounter or make sense of a situation.
Problem solving activities can help your students begin to understand their own actions, feelings, and emotions.
It is important that we use resources in creative ways to promote character education consistently. The classroom instruction, activities, and environment should reflect learning is taking place in in a variety of ways as to engage students in the process of developing their mindset and build SEL awareness.
2. Engaging Activities
Word Development – Before teaching students about daily affirmation recitation, go over each word in the daily affirmation. Student who are new to learning about words that affirm may need visual aids in the form of pictures to give them a clear understand of the words.
Write the word on the board and show students the picture card. Ask the students what do they notice about ______? How does it show (fill in the targeted affirmation)? What do they wonder about ______? Affirmation words can be displayed as vocabulary on a word wall. Students can use the word wall.
Character Education Workbook – another way to build student mindset is through daily instruction. Each morning, my students take out their workbook. The workbook can be build into the morning activities to start the day.
What is great about using workbook activities is that each student’s responses to the activities will be different. The workbook activities are another way get to know your students better and learn to understand who they are.
3. Growth Mindset
Literature – the use of literature with a growth mindset theme can be used to build students’ social-emotion learning as well as help to strengthen the classroom community. This kind of literature can give students a visual understanding of mindset through the characters actions, feelings, and behavior.
Recitation – affirmation recitation involves students reciting selected affirmation each day. An anchor chart of the daily classroom affirmation is displayed on a magnet metal rack attached to the white board. Initially, the affirmation is led by the teacher, but as the students learn the affirmation, an affirmation leader is chosen to guide the daily affirmation. The student read the affirmation aloud beginning with “I Am _____.”
A pointer is used to focus on the affirmation being read aloud. Another element added to the activity is to provide each student with a hand mirror to recite the affirmation as they look into their mirror. In the beginning student may have some difficulty with this if they have never looked at themselves in the mirror so it is important to give them time to get comfortable with the mirror before you start. Integrate the affirmation recitation with affirmation vocabulary work.
4. Positive Environment
Growth or Quote Wall – having a wall or area that promotes positive thoughts can also help to build your students’ mindset. This wall of can include quotes or words that can help shift students’ thinking or thoughts
5. Word Empowerment – selecting an affirming word and displaying it in your classroom can send a powerful message to students. You want your students see this affirmation every day and know the meaning of it to develop their understanding about it. The Lettered Classroom displays the word, “Choice.” She infuses it into her classroom through regularly.
A great place with letters in a variety of sizes and styles to choose from is Hobby Lobby. Be sure to catch a half off sale because they can be kind of pricey. Show your students words can be powerful.
6. Affirmation or Character Gallery – there are other ways you can promote growth mindset in your classroom. Head Over Heels for Teaching has some wonderful affirmation building activities that do just that. She has designated a wall with pictures of her students and one word that they chose to represent them.
This gallery in the class gives students a feeling of family seeing their pictures displayed as they walk into the room. It shows that they are a part of a class family and gives visitors a glimpse into the character of each student
Final Thoughts
Social-emotional learning can help students become confident and motivated learners by fostering growth mindset. When you intentionally incorporate literacy-related character education activities and instruction into your daily teaching students can grow and develop.
It is important to create a positive classroom environment where your students can learn about positive behavior strategies, learn to problem solve their mindsets and build their character.
Tips To Try:
You can create a comprehensive and engaging character education program that helps students develop important life skills and values.
1. Integrate Character Education into Daily Lessons- Embed Values in Curriculum: Look for opportunities to incorporate character education themes into various subjects. For example, discuss perseverance when studying historical figures, or emphasize honesty during science experiments.
- Storytelling: Use stories, fables, and literature that highlight moral lessons. Discuss the characters’ choices and the consequences of their actions to help students understand and reflect on positive behaviors.
2. Model and Reinforce Positive Behavior- Lead by Example: Demonstrate the values you want to instill in your students. Show kindness, respect, and integrity in your interactions with students and colleagues.
- Positive Reinforcement: Recognize and reward positive behavior when you see it. Use praise, certificates, or small rewards to encourage students to continue demonstrating good character.
3. Create Interactive and Engaging Activities- Role-Playing and Scenarios: Use role-playing activities to allow students to practice and reflect on different character traits. Create scenarios where they have to make decisions based on values like honesty, responsibility, and empathy.
- Service Projects: Involve students in community service projects. These activities help students develop empathy, cooperation, and a sense of responsibility towards others.
