CharacterHeart A Partner with Macon County Schools Sponsored

Character@Heart A Partner with Macon County Schools Sponsored by the Daniel Foundation

What is Character? Character is what you do when no one is watching. Character is who we really are. It’s not how you look but who you are on the inside. A person with character thinks right, talks right, and does what is right.

Why is Character Important Character is important for our children if they are to grow up and be productive and contributing citizens. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education. ”

Why Character Education? The foundation formal character education began in Alabama in 1995 when Act 95 -313 was enacted. The act mandated that Alabama school students in grades K-12, public and private, receive character education at least 10 minutes a day. In addition, the Alabama legislature selected 25 character traits to be emphasized through character education programs.

25 Character Traits to be Emphasized Cheerfulness Courage Generosity Citizenship Courtesy Honesty Cleanliness Creativity Kindness Compassion Diligence Loyalty Cooperation Fairness Patience Patriotism School Pride Perseverance Self. Courage Punctuality Self. Respect of Sportsmanship Environment Respect Tolerance Others

What is Character@Heart is a program dedicated and committed to “Building character today or a better tomorrow. ” Character@Heart provides materials and training in order to implement the Act 95 -313 mandate in the classroom.

Character@Heart Program Through the Character@Heart Program, each K-6 school will have character coordinators designated to: support character education in the school coordinate character education activities coordinate school-wide service projects

Getting Started We have already gotten started and are participating in character education activities daily. We must begin to keep a log of activities that are done to support character education, even of the smallest activity.

Ways to Continue to Promote Character Education in our School Promote service clubs with real missions Choose a personal motto and share with students Weave character lessons into your discussions in reading and social studies classes Write, call, or visit parents to praise students Hang sayings on walls encouraging good character Institute a character honor roll

Possible School Wide Character Education Activities Organize a Character Trait Parade Create Character Cheers (have a contest) Organize Simple Service Projects Announce Quotes of the Week (Marquee) Create a Character Traits Calendar Create Character Songs/Raps Organize Character Clubs Give “I’ve Got Character Award!” Award

Possible Service Learning Projects for our School Continue to Participate in Christmas Giving Drive Make gift baskets, etc. for nursing home patrons Adopt a Grandfriend Write letters to men and women serving our country Make sweet-treat bags for community helpers (policemen, firemen, postal workers, etc) As many as you can think to do

Your Thoughts What will you do to contribute to promoting character education in your classroom? What do you think we can do in our schools to continue to support the mandate?