As a future teacherI must be knowledgeable in all areas according to the age group I am teaching. A teacher must accept the fact that they will need to continue to learn throughout their teaching career. To have experience, knowledge and intelligence are all three important factors when I think of becoming a educator. I would also like to help my student become well rounded indiviuals, that are kind and show respect to each other. Thus making not just a better student but a better person This artifact presents evidence that I have a knowledge of character education and how it works. I want my students to foster a love of learning and also learn to become people of integrity.
I have always been a firm believer and supporter of this type of character education in the classroom.. I know that the classroom can make a smart child but with character education also included it can make a decent human being. That is something that should be taught in the home but sometimes it is not, and if it is then it is reaffirmed in the classroom.
The grade I plan on teaching will be 2nd or 3rd. I will wait to get into a classroom to see which I like better for the purpose of this paper I will choose 3rd grade. I am still not sure how to include anything into my lesson curriculum, but I will give it a try. I plan on choosing 9 character traits that I feel are representing a broad range of qualities that every student should embrace. Some I would choose are – honesty, integrity, citizenship, kindness and respect. I would spend a entire month helping the kids to learn about one of these subjects and maybe with the help of the PTA, it could become a bigger project for the rest of the school.
For example if kindness was our monthly character, stories could be told on a daily basis that are based on of acts of kindness that could be found in our current events such as the newspaper, news or the internet. I may have the kids search these out. I would like to implement the RASK program into the curriculum. Also (besides the kids doing good works ) give the kids the assignment to look for acts of kindness in their school and community and at home. Teach them how to empathize with others. I think celebrating the good things kids do for each other and give attention to those who are following through with the program will be of great benefit to the kids.
For the month that patriotism would be taught I would choose a month near a election or something that would be a helpful to that character. We would discuss freedom and in history study those in individuals who shaped our country. Learn about our flag and discuss our independence day. Ask how can each child make our country better? Maybe do a mock election with a voting booth so they can see what it is like to have the privilege to vote.
I do not think it will be easy to add another thing to do in my teaching agenda but it will be worth it. Hopefully the PTA would get on board and help out in larger ways. It is important to raise good citizens who care about themselves and their community. If a teacher is organized and prepared character education can be second nature in their curriculum. It may take awhile but once the program is in place it should be easier. A teacher can leave a lasting impression on a child, these are the best teachers and if in some way you can help a child be a better person then that is a extra blessing of the career.
