Character+Education

There are many activities that we use to foster our core values at TCS. We want our students to be **caring, respectful, responsible, and honest**. Activities in isolation work, but sharing ideas and activities that can be done community wide will help all of us feel more connected to these values. Let us use this Wiki to share and collaborate as we continue this important work with our students and each other. If you are a member of this Wiki please add to it by clicking on the "Edit This Page" button and then add what you class/grade is doing. Please bold your class so that it will stand out, bold the character trait and put a date on your entry so we know when you were doing this work.

Another great story is **The Shay Story**. It is about a boy with disabilities who is "invited" to play a game of baseball with a group of young children. This opportunity makes a huge difference to everyone involved. Even those of us who hear it. It, too is a TRUE story. I have a copy of it as do the Third Grade teachers. I read it last year for those same reasons and will do the same this year- it is a tearjerker! = Sportsmanship =
 * Fall 2009**
 * December 2, 2009 **

This is an excellent video to start a conversation on winning, "losing," and good sportsmanship with your students. Who are the winners here? **This is a true story.

Go to: http://www.responsibilityproject.com/films/player/the-home-run/

For very moving news footage of the real story with comments from the players, coaches, and the umpire go to:** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEDBnKahuNs

Winter 2009 Second Grade: We have taken a closer look at the word **RESPECT**. We have defined it in our own words and listed examples of how we can show respect everywhere we go. We are also recognizing each other in the act. Some of the things we came up with as examples of showing respect are //holding the door for others, picking things up off the ground or floor when we notice them, taking extra care of something that does not belong to us (as well as things of our class).// Next we will explore what it means to be a **Responsible** student, TCSer, friend, person!


 * Winter 2009 Third Grade:** We have just begun our study of the Oregon Trail. Our students have been assigned wagons and wagonmates. There are eight wagons of three students each. These groups are have started their decision making process of coming up with a family story/reason for traveling west, choosing what provisions to take, etc. These types of decisions not only require cooperation but **respect** as students must learn to listen to and consider the opinions of others, not interrupt or insist upon their own solutions to a problem, and come up with a method for coming to a concensus (if possible!).

In addition, there is the daily reminder of general **manners** - holding the door, letting adults go first, giving up your seat for Mom at the mom's tea, saying "Good morning" properly, not wearing hats indoors, giving friends "put-ups" instead of "put-downs," etc., etc. It's an ongoing effort but such an important one.

What a relief if spring is finally here. I must admit I enjoyed those wonderful snow days, but I am happy to see spring creeping around the corner. I know you're busily planning away the last few months (weeks) of school. If you have minute this week please share a bit about what your class has been up to with regards to our work on character at TCS. Thanks and have a great week, Beth.
 * Spring 2009 at TCS**: