Character Education

In Primary SchoolsDr Tom Harrison

Director of Education

Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues

Lollypop Lady:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzQiwPEuk8

 

Thank You Film Awards

‘The Function of Education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.

Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education’

Martin Luther King

[ ]Schools of Character ReportAll schools should enable students to become 

good persons and good citizens, able to lead good lives, as well as to be ‘successful’ persons.

However, it is important that the character education is intentional, planned, organised and 

reflective, rather than assumed, unconscious, reactive and random.

• Values driven schools• Partnership with parents and community• Assemblies• Service Learning• Special programmes – e.g. Forest Schools

‘The single most powerful tool you have to impact a student’s character is your own

character’

Caught Approaches

Programme of Study• 4-11 year olds• Focus on a key virtue each term• Virtue Knowledge • Virtue Reasoning• Virtue Practice

Primary Taught Approaches

Virtues

Autumn Caring Helpfulness Cooperation Courage Kindness 

SummerCourtesy Forgiveness Determination Self-discipline Gratitude Honesty 

SpringCleanliness Fairness Friendliness Service Patience Respect 

The Caterpillar Process1. Stop. This involves having the self-control and discipline to pause to assess the situations we find ourselves in. It marks a shift from being carried along by emotions and situations to making deliberate choices.

2. Notice. This involves being aware of the events that take place both in the world around us and also in our own interior landscapes. It demands that we always strive to gather as much information as possible to help us to decide well.

3. Look. This involves paying attention to our own emotions and the emotions of others. Our emotions provide us with information about what we perceive in situations and also, what others perceive.

4. Listen. This involves examining our motivations for acting, the reasons why we are doing what we are doing and the reasons that other people give for their actions. It involves being critical and adjusting our motivations and feelings so that we might do what is good.

5. Caterpillar. In The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the colours of the foods eaten by the caterpillar appear on its wings as a butterfly. In a similar way, our thoughts, speech and actions become our habits and form our character. This part of the process requires the learner to think about the person they are becoming and how their thoughts, speech and actions contribute to that.

• Educating character through stories• Virtue Literacy• Controlled Trial• Years 5 and 6• 10 Stories + supporting materials

The Knightly Virtues

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f39TLJj-xL8

Knightly Virtues Film

• Science, Maths, English + other subjects• Virtues for Transition Stage• Narratives based• Explore the grey areas – dilemmas 

Teaching Character Through the Curriculum

Subject Narratives Primary Virtue Definition Secondary Virtues

English – Journalistic Writing

Courage Under FireJohn Simpson(BBC Foreign Correspondent – Reported during Tiananmen Square massacre, 1991 Gulf War, Kosovo conflict)  

Courage (Moral) Courage  is having the strength and will to  know  what  you  should  do  even though you may be afraid. 

Resilience, Motivation, Ambition, Curiosity, Honesty, Integrity

Maths - Algebra Finding XEmmy Noether(German Jewish mathematician known for her landmark contributions to algebra)

Focus (Intellectual)

Focus  is  when  you  pay  close  attention to  something  and  block  out  possible distractions.

Resilience, Drive, Curiosity

Science – Animals Including Humans (Medicine and Drugs)

An Ambition to CureGertrude Elion(Biochemist and pharmacologist, who won 1988 Nobel Prize)

Curiosity (Intellectual)

Curiosity  is  when  you  are  eager  to know or learn something new.

Resilience, Ambition, Confidence, Focus 

PE - Athletics Olympic SpiritLuz Long(1936 Olympics German long jumper his main rival was Jesse Owens. With Hitler watching, Owens foot-faulted twice in the qualifying round and was at risk of disqualification when Long suggested that he mark out his run again. Owens won gold, with Long taking silver)

Integrity (Moral) Integrity  is  when  you  adhere  to  the moral principles of honesty. 

Honesty, Courage, Optimism, Service

History – A study of a theme in British history.

Inspiring a NationWinston Churchill(British Prime Minister during WW2)

Resilience(Performance) 

Resilience  is  bouncing  back  from adversity  when  attempting  a  difficult task. 

Motivation, Drive, Confidence, Integrity, Focus, Service

Geography - Describe and understand key aspects of physical/ human geography

Driven to Make a ChangeWangari Maathai(Kenyan environmental activist)

Drive(Performance)

Drive  is  to  move  or  push  forward despite obstacles in your path. 

Resilience, Motivation,  Optimism, Service 

Computing - Coding Code BreakerAlan Turing(Mathematician and computer coder who broke Enigma code during WW2)

Service (Civic) 

Service  is  working  hard  for  a  person, organisation  or  country.  It  is  helping other people.

Resilience, Drive, Curiosity

PSHE / Citizenship – (Volunteer/Charity)

Local Hero – examples from the #iwill campaign http://www.jubileecentre.ac.uk/userfiles/jubileecentre/pdf/iwillbrochure.pdf (Freedom for school to pick a local hero appropriate to them)

Charity  (Civic)  Charity  is  the  voluntary  giving  of  help to those in need.   

 

Virtue KnowledgeVirtue Toolkit – Definition of virtue terms and their real life application. Children to think about these virtues in their own life.

Virtue ReasoningChildren show virtue reasoning by comparing and contrasting primary and secondary virtues. Critical engagement through narratives leading to discussions and written feedback.

Virtue PracticeThrough reflective practice children make a specific and realistic ‘I WILL’ target based around the primary virtue. Targets are achievable and meaningful to the child.

Daddieswww.youtube.com/watch?v=VOpeOdae1A0

 

Thank You Film Awards

• Annual Contest• £50 prize fund for schools that participate• Free letter templates• Closing date – 21st March• Schools Gratitude Day – 21st May

Thank You Letter Awards