Promoting character education.

In many school districts, teachers of all subjects are asked to incorporate teaching values. Our school district has recently become organized in its approach to Character Education. First, volunteers from the community along with teachers and administrors chose ten core values that almost anyone would agree are important for children to learn. The district then mandated that throughout the school year we would devote one month to each one of the ten core values.

In trying to incorporate Character Education into the art classroom, I chose three areas to work with: art history, art production, and classroom procedures.

Art History

Stories about artists provide opportunities to discuss values and character traits.

One good example of an artist story for young people is Jonkonnu, written by Amy Littlesugar and illustrated by Ian Schoenherr. The story is based on true accounts of Winslow Homer's 1876 visit to Petersburg, Virginia. As the story unfolds, many character traits emerge for discussion: tolerance, respect, kindness, confidence, and cooperation.

Art Production

Poster design is a good choice for a third grade art production unit focusing on Character Education. The unit involves three lessons: measuring, block letters, and illustration. For measuring, we used primary rulers that show only inch and half-inch measurements. We practiced measuring margins and guidelines. I gave students a handout that showed them how to make block letters, and they practiced making all the letters by lightly sketching the letter forms first and then outlining and filling in with markers. For the illustration lesson, we practiced sketching scenes to illustrate a character trait. To design the poster, students had to incorporate measured guidelines, bold block letters for the character trait, smaller letters for the slogan, and an illustration. The finished posters were displayed throughout the school, thus constantly reinforcing the character messages.

Classroom Procedures

The art classroom provides many opportunities to reinforce values. Students practice citizenship when they become involved in establishing and following rules and procedures. Students learn bow to maintain and care for art supplies responsibly. They model kindness and courtesy when sharing and making requests. Students cooper ate during cleanup and when working on group projects. They engage in goal setting when they plan projects and stay on task. At all times, honesty, respect, and tolerance are encouraged.

So when I am asked: "How can you start to reinforce values in the classroom?" I believe my answer will be, "I already have." The only question in my mind is, "How can I do more?"

Andrew Wales is an art teacher at Lynch-Bustin Elementary School in Athens, Pennsylvania. [e-mail]

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students identify connections between the visual arts and other disciplines in the curriculum.

WEB LINKS

Character Education www.goodcharacter.com midgefrazel.net/character.html

Character Education Schedule

September   Responsibility   A job or duty done well and on time.
October     Cooperation      Working together to achieve a common goal.
November    Kindness         Always ready to help or do good.
December    Courtesy         Showing good manners or behavior.
January     Goal Setting     Making plans to achieve your goal in an
                               organized way.
February    Honesty          Telling the truth and admitting your
                               mistakes.
March       Respect          Treating others as you want to be treated.
April       Tolerance        Everyone is special in his or her own way.
May         Citizenship      Obeying the rules and respecting
                               authority.
Tune        Confidence       Believing in yourself and your abilities.