November NJSOC Spotlight
Hamilton Township School District (Mercer County)
"Curricular Infusion: Strategies for integrating character education into the curriculum"
A winner of many Promising Practices Awards for Character Education initiatives and Staff Development, the Hamilton Township Teaching and Living Character (TLC) Core Team would like to share an easy method teachers may use to integrate character education skills into their existing curriculum.
After recently hearing Dr. Michele Borba speak at the Character Education Partnership’s National Forum this October, the TLC Core Team knew what tip to share with educators who might need a tool to help them identify the core values they hold for children, and therefore might be able to integrate into their everyday academic lessons.
Social emotional and character education is important for all children. Teachers who spend 180 days with students can easily model, reinforce and teach essential core values; which if developed and nurtured in classrooms can enrich their students’ academic and everyday lives.
First, an educator must identify the core values/virtues they hold dear. To do this, take a piece of paper, fold it in half and then in half again, making four equal boxes. In box number 1. answer this question- In childhood what virtue helped you? In box 2.- What is the virtue that helps you in your relationships with family, friends and colleagues? In box 3.- What performance virtue helps you succeed in your profession? In box 4.- What virtue do you hope youth will acquire?
Now you have identified at least four virtues/values that can be integrated into the lessons you design and the way you manage your classroom. To take it a step further; cross off each answer in order from least to most important, when you are left with one, you’ll know where you can start right away. With your character education focus clearly defined, now the fun and creativity begin as you design a lesson which, not only teaches the curriculum content, but also extends the learning to include the teaching of moral and/or performance values.
Four Important Questions to Guide your Focus when Integrating Character Education into the Curriculum
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Box 1
In childhood, what virtue helped you? Ex. Getting along with others |
Box 2.
What virtue helps you in your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues?
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Box 3.
What performance virtue helps you succeed in your profession?
Ex. Creative planning / humor / dependability |
Box 4.
What virtue do you hope today’s youth will acquire?
Ex. Compassion / empathy
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Character education is an important part of the entire school curriculum and must be intentionally included in student lessons and modeled through teacher interactions. It is not an area to exclude. As Dr. Borba says, “If you cut too many corners, you end up going around in circles.”
Recommended Resources:
Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven essential Virtues that Teach Kids to do the Right Thing
Self-Esteem, A Classroom Affair: 101 Ways to Help Children Like Themselves
Bill Osman is Supervisor of Professional Development, Mentoring & Character Education in the Hamilton Township School District.
90 Park Avenue
Hamilton, NJ 08690
