Character Counts!

By:Elle Parsons and Mackenzie Quartly

Learning Targets

• History of Character Counts Coalition

• Mission Statement

• Six Pillars of Character

• Implementation and Resources

• Professional Development

• Conclusion

History of Josephson Institute

• Developed in 1987

• Founder: Michael Josephson• Josephson Institute

• Josephson Institute has conducted programs for leaders, school administrators, journalists, and corporate officials

History of Character Counts Coalition

• Developed in 1992

• Founded due to the Josephson Institute who hosted a group of experts in ethics and character education.

• Developed ‘Aspen Declaration on Character Education’ which has been re-named ‘Six Pillars of Character’

• To advance the Six Pillars Josephson Institute launched Character Counts!

Mission Statement

“ To improve the ethical quality of society by changing personal and organizational

decision making and behavior.”

• Achieve social and emotional learning goals

• Improve academics

• Focus classroom management skills

• Reduce incidents of bullying, and much more

Six Pillars Overview

• Not affiliated with any religious, cultural or political groups

• Based on 6 ethical values that everyone can agree upon• Trustworthiness• Respect• Responsibility• Fairness• Caring • Citizenship

Trustworthiness

• Be honest

• Don’t deceive, cheat or steal

• Be reliable, do what you say you’ll do

• Have the courage to do the right thing

• Build a good reputation

• Be loyal, stand by your family friends and country

Respect

• Treat others with respect, follow the golden rule

• Be tolerant and accepting of differences

• Use good manners, not bad language

• Be considerate of the feelings of others

• Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone

• Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

Responsibility

• Do what you are supposed to do

• Plan ahead

• Persevere: keep on trying!

• Always do your best

• Use self-control

• Be self-disciplined

• Think before you act — consider the consequences

• Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes

• Set a good example for others

Fairness

• Play by the rules

• Take turns and share

• Be open-minded; listen to others

• Don’t take advantage of others

• Don’t blame others carelessly

• Treat all people fairly

Caring

• Be kind

• Be compassionate and show you care

• Express gratitude

• Forgive others

• Help people in need

Citizenship

• Do your share to make your school and community better

• Cooperate

• Get involved in community affairs

• Stay informed; vote

• Be a good neighbor

• Obey laws and rules

• Respect authority

• Protect the environment

• Volunteer

Six Pillars MnemonicHelp young people remember the Pillars by using these creative

devices. COLOR SCHEME

• Trustworthiness : blueThink "true blue"Respect : yellow/goldThink the Golden RuleResponsibility : greenThink being responsible for a garden or finances; or as in being solid and reliable like an oakFairness : orangeThink of dividing an orange into equal sections to share fairly with friendsCaring : redThink of a heartCitizenship : purpleThink regal purple as representing the state

Implementing Six Pillars

• Teachers or key staff members attend training

• Implemented through a variety of:• Lesson plans• Support materials• Curricular integration models

• Designed to integrate into current curriculums• Not a stand alone program• Free and for purchase materials and lesson

plans online

Professional Development

• $825 for enrollment in a 3-day training

• Trainings currently held in California, Illinois, and Arizona

• Free webinar weekly with varying topics

Conclusion - Strengths

• If purchased the lessons are prepared for you

• Lessons are short

• Opportunity to embed Six Pillars into preexisting curriculum

• Can appeal to many because it isn’t affiliated with other groups

Conclusion – Weaknesses

• Geared toward children but some sub-topics are advanced

• Expensive to implement

• Difficult to research without going to the 3-day training

Discussion Questions

• How do you feel about the chosen ‘Six Pillars of Character?’ • Does it fit most school models?

• Anything that you would add? Eliminate?

• Any other strengths or weaknesses that stood out to you?

• If you could only teach one Pillar, which would you choose? Why?

Resources

• Character Counts Coalition Website• http://charactercounts.org/