Character

CHARACTER FIRST n.
["to cut, engrave"]
Character Defined The stable and

distinctive qualities
Character can be described in a variety of ways: built into an
 The inward motivation to do what is right individual's life which
 Who you are, even when no one is watching determine his response
 The key to true success in every area of life regardless of
circumstances.
"Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing,
and only character endures." American Dictionary
Horace Greeley of the English
Language
"Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not
one is so highly prized as that of character."
Senator Henry Clay
Character First! teaches 49 specific qualities that make up an individual's character.
49 Character Qualities
Alertness Diligence Humility Security
Attentiveness Discernment Initiative Self-Control
Availability Discretion Joyfulness Sensitivity
Benevolence Endurance Justice Sincerity
Boldness Enthusiasm Loyalty Thoroughness
Cautiousness Faith Meekness Thriftiness
Compassion Flexibility Obedience Tolerance
Contentment Forgiveness Orderliness Truthfulness
Creativity Generosity Patience Virtue
Decisiveness Gentleness Persuasiveness Wisdom
Deference Gratefulness Punctuality
Dependability Honor Resourcefulness
Determination Hospitality Responsibility
Character Quality Schedule with 7th B grade

2008 MARCH ORDERLINESS
APRIL ATTENTIVENESS
MAY SINCERITY
Where would you like to build character?

SCHOOL, FAMILY, COMMUNITY
Getting Started
Character First! Education follows a three-step approach to building character in the hearts and minds
of students: emphasize, require, and recognize good character.
• Classroom Lessons • Leadership Example • Daily Praise

• School Assemblies • Character Correction • Public Recognition
• Daily Application • Daily Reinforcement • Character Models
• Volunteer Mentoring • Teachable Moments • Parental Support
Classroom Lessons
Many children have little concept of what words such as attentiveness, responsibility, or diligence
actually mean, much less how such qualities apply to their personal lives.
That is why the Character First! curriculum spells out each character quality as clearly as possible.
To help teachers establish a uniform "character language" that all of their students can understand,
Character First! offers meaningful definitions of each character quality with practical ways to apply
each quality.
The Character First! teacher's guides also provide a variety of age-appropriate stories, projects, object
lessons, research assignments, poetry, art, music, handiwork, games, and discussion topics that can be
woven into other activities of the school day.
School Assemblies
One great way to kick-off a new character quality is to hold a character assembly where all or part
of a school learns the new word with its definition and hears a story or skit selected from the teacher's
guides.
Assemblies remind students that everyone at school is learning the same character quality, not just
their class.
Resource videos cover the information needed for a character kick-off assembly.
Daily Application
In addition to using the projects suggested in the Character First! curriculum, teachers can integrate
the character qualities into their students' academics.
For example, a teacher can assign students to write about how the character quality they are studying
can make a difference at school or home.
A music teacher can encourage students to write songs with character messages. Even athletic
instructors can integrate character by showing how inner attitudes influence physical performance and
team cooperation.
Bulletin boards, school marquees, letters to parents, hallway décor, daily announcements, student
newspapers, school websites, parent meetings, and special events all afford opportunities to integrate a
character emphasis into regular school activities.
Teachable Moments
The last part of requiring character is turning every-day events into "teachable moments."
Walking through the halls becomes a lesson in orderliness. Resolving conflicts becomes a lesson in
forgiveness. Receiving food in the cafeteria becomes a lesson in gratefulness.
These teachable moments show children how character applies to every aspect of life
Daily Reinforcement
While students may learn about character during periodic assemblies or classroom lectures, it is during
the rest of the school day that they actually learn character.
For example, students may learn about attentiveness at the beginning of the month, but it is not until
they practice attentiveness during their regular classes, as well as outside the class, that they actually
experience it.
Daily reinforcement from teachers is vital. Here are a few suggestions:
Remind students to practice attentiveness at the beginning of class.
Offer instructions as an opportunity to show obedience.
Use changes in schedule to demonstrate flexibility.
Daily Praise
Teaching character means not only correcting those who do wrong, but also praising those who do
right.
As children receive approval for demonstrating good character, they will be motivated to continue
building character that pleases their teachers and parents.
Character Models
Look for historical and contemporary individuals to serve as positive role models for your students.
Celebrate the character of these men and women. Read their biographies, invite them to speak to your
students, and pay tribute to the character that made them great.
Public Recognition
Whether in front of the class or the entire school, praising students in front of their peers
communicates the importance of character and motivates good behavior.
Use colorful certificates during award ceremonies to honor qualities such as attentiveness, diligence,
and thoroughness as they apply to academic excellence.
Parental Support
Communication between school faculty members and parents is critical to any endeavor, especially for
character education.
Parent meetings, school newsletters, and Character First! Parent Previews are ways to give parents an
overview of what their children learn at school, enabling parents to continue emphasizing the same
character qualities at home.
Benefits
Across the nation and around the world, teachers, parents, and principals have reported the difference
character is making in the lives of their students.
 Increased Student Cooperation

 Improved School Safety
 Reduced Disciplinary Problems
 Positive Learning Environment
 Boosted Academic Achievement
 Heightened Staff Unity
 Improved Family Harmony
EVALUATE THE PROGRAMME BY: TRAINER’S /FAMILY’S

/EDUCATORS’ TESTIMONIES

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CHARACTER FIRST n.

["to cut, engrave"]

Character Defined The stable and

Character First! teaches 49 specific qualities that make up an individual's character.

Character Quality Schedule with 7th B grade

Where would you like to build character?

• Classroom Lessons • Leadership Example • Daily Praise

Daily reinforcement from teachers is vital. Here are a few suggestions:

Remind students to practice attentiveness at the beginning of class.

Offer instructions as an opportunity to show obedience.

Use changes in schedule to demonstrate flexibility.

 Increased Student Cooperation

EVALUATE THE PROGRAMME BY: TRAINER’S /FAMILY’S

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