Resources & Links To Other Sites
National Association for Self-Esteem:Choosing Your Unique Character
We have all been blessed with many wonderful talents, and the ability to CHOOSE the characteristics that make us unique. We are not born patiently understanding, spontaneously creative, diplomatically assertive, and consistently persistent. Our qualities and characteristics are developed as we grow, and in fact, we can choose who we want to be. When we are proud of our character, who we are and who we are becoming, then we have positive self-esteem.
Character Education is becoming an important component in our schools. The Character Education Partnership (www.character.org) in Washington DC is giving cash awards to schools that meet the criteria for excellence in fostering character education in K-12 schools. Some states have an independent group to encourage and reward teachers for programs that focus on the core values in our society, such as Maryland Center for Character Education (http://www.mdctrcharacter.org/).
To develop your CHARACTER and be a good role model for others;
1. Start by listing the characteristics you have and are most proud of. Be sure that your daily behavior expresses these characteristics.
2. Then list the characteristics that you want to develop to be more successful in achieving your goals and becoming the person you want to be.
3. Determine the specific behaviors that represent the desired characteristic.
4. Now write the characteristic and specific behaviors on a Focus-reminder card.
5. Each morning, read the card and picture yourself acting that way during the day.
Remember, you become like the person you picture yourself to be. So act as if you already were well organized, full of willpower and self-discipline, friendly and outgoing, calm and confident.
For more information on strategies for developing your character, order the book Sponsor Success by Bob Younglove, Performance Coach, Speaker, Author. E-Mail: vicepresident@self-esteem-nase.org
National Association for Self-Esteem
Web site at http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/
ChoiceSkills:
The Home of Character Based Learning
Life is all about making choices. Nothing so completely determines one's happiness and well-being as one's choices.
Character Based Learning is all about helping young people develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for making good choices.
ChoiceSkills™, Inc. is all about providing parents and teachers with the Character Based Learning resources they need to help young people master these invaluable qualities.
Whether you teach in public school, home school or youth organizations; whether you teach character education, social skills, history, math, or literature; whether you teach gifted children, at-risk students, or students with disabilities; or whether you just like to sit around a fire and talk with your child about important things, you will find character based learning strategies invaluable in helping young people come to grips with the knowledge and skills they will need to live happy and productive lives in a troubled world.
ChoiceSkills
Web site at http://www.choiceskills.com
We have recently been approached by Jack Currier of Wet Cement Productions, Inc. His company has produced an elementary school character education video series called "Auto B Good." This 12-part series covers 36 Character traits. The company claims that the series combines excellent content and outstanding production quality. Wet Cement Productions Inc., the producers of this series, are offering discount pricing to members of the Maryland Center for Character Education. The Auto B Good individual title regular price is $59.95. The MCCE price would be discounted to $49.95. For the set of 12, regular price $599.95, the MCCE price would be $529.95. For more information on Auto B Good visit www.studentsbgood.com. To order or for questions contact Jack Currier, 719-488-0994 Phone, 719-488-0549 Fax or email jack@wetcemetnsproductions.com
A new Character Education resource that is available.
A musical play featuring three well-known fairy tales and ten Character Education traits. A production as a traveling show with high school students as the cast and performing for interested elementary schools. The show is called The Tales of Andergrimm.
The show interweaves the well-known fairy tales of Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, and the Ugly Duckling, and its lively musical numbers range in style from blues to rap to tango.
You can check it out at http://www.manibus.com/Andergrimm/
The following is a recommended video and reading list compiled by the Maryland State Department of Education [MSDE] and the Maryland Center for Character Education [MCCE] to serve as a resource for teachers and parents.
The following is the first 35 pages of "Character Education in Maryland: A Survey, Commentary and Recommendations" compiled by Judge John Brynes and published by the Maryland Center for Character Education [MCCE] on March 2003. This report discusses the components needed for a successful holistic education. It delves into Character and Citizenship Objectives, The Business Community - the future workforce, The Education Community - the school environment with Methodology and Recommendations. The complete edition with interest articles may be purchased for $5.00 by contacting the Maryland Center for Character Education at: 29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204 Phone: 410-823-4902 Fax: 410-828-9661 E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com
Selected Best Practices:(click here)The following is a collection of Best Practices submitted by schools throughout Maryland. Many are the award winning schools recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education [MSDE] and the Maryland Center for Character Education [MCCE] at their annual conference and awards luncheon.
The following is a list of events such as conferences and award programs which encourage the establishment and success of Character Education Programs.
The Web:
The web is a powerful resource to find character education information. A web search using any of the following names will turn up many additional resources:
"Character Education"
"Values Education"
"Teaching Character Education"
"Character Education books"
"Character Education videos"
"Character Education, MD"(Ten (10) states mandate character education through legislation; Alabama,
Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah and
Virginia. Seven (7) states encourage character education through legislation:
Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and West
Virginia.)
Typing “character education” and the name of any of these states will
also bring up information.
Our Organization:
Maryland Center for Character Education
http://www.mdctrcharacter.org
29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204
Phone: 410-823-4902
Fax: 410-828-9661
E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com
The Maryland Center for Character Education (MCCE) is dedicated to making a difference in the ethical lives of individuals and the entire community through education, example, and action. MCCE offers the following resources: speakers bureau, all day training sessions for school systems interested in self-evaluation and quality assurance, resources for teachers, administrators, parents, students, businesses and community organizations.
Other Organizations:
Character Counts Mid-Shore
http://www.ccmidshore.org/
11 S. Washington St, Suite A
Easton, MD 21601
Phone: 410-819-0386
Fax: 410-819-0344
Contact: Susan Luby
E-Mail: susan@ccmidshore.orgCharacter Counts Mid-Shore is a citizen-based movement on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, working to infuse strong character development ideals into the everyday lives of our communities.Character Counts! MidShore provides community leadership for the development of character education to schools, churches, businesses, athletic leagues and other community groups. We strive to create an increased awareness about the importance of good character and basic values in our society.
The Character Education Partnership (CEP)
http://www.character.org
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1011
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (800) 988-8081
E-Mail: education@character.org
(Contact us at 202.296.7743, ext.10 to schedule your professional development training. Merle J. Schwartz, Director of Education and Training)The Character Education Partnership (CEP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian coalition of 1000 companies, educators, and community groups working to make core values of respect, honesty, and responsibility an integral part of the K-12 curriculum and school culture. CEP’s mission is to better prepare all young people to become compassionate and responsible parents, employees and citizens.
Character Education Discussion
http://www.character.org/newsdialog/bboard/
CEP's Additional Resource Links
http://www.character.org/resources/links/
The Maryland State Department of Education
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/studentschoolsvcs/youth_development/character_ed.htm
Character Education Office
Division of Student and School Services
200 W. Baltimore Street, 5th Floor
Baltimore MD 21201
Contact: Jacqueline Jones, Director
Phone: 410-767-0047
Fax: 410-333-2183
E-Mail: jrjones@msde.state.md.us
Character Counts!
http://www.charactercounts.org/
National Office / Josephson Institute of Ethics
9841 Airport Blvd., Suite 300 | Los Angeles, CA 90045
Tel: (310) 846-4800 (800) 711-2670
Fax: (310) 846-4858
E-Mail:cc@jiethics.orgCHARACTER COUNTS! is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nonsectarian character education framework that teaches the Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition includes thousands of schools, communities and nonprofit organizations.
U.S. Department of Education
Character Education & Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center
http://www.cetac.org
CETAC
10530 Rosehaven Street, Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22030
Email: cetac@cetac.org
Toll-free Number: 1-800-691-5018The Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center (CETAC) website, CETAC Online! Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS), provides State program administrators, local educators, and the public with information on character education and civic engagement, as well as strategies that support academic goals and other reform efforts.
Character Cities
http://charactercities.org/
IACC was formed in 1998 to do just that by providing resources, training, contacts, and counsel to leaders committed to character development. Over 95 cities worldwide have launched community-wide character initiatives, and together we are . . .
Character Development Foundation
http://www.charactered.org/
A non-profit organization committed to providing character education resources to teachers and educators in New Hampshire and beyond. Promoting the character development of children, providing support for character development in schools, at home, and in communities. Educating teachers, administrators, and parents in the area of character development and education.
CHARACTER FIRST!®
http://www.characterfirst.com/
Character First is A New Pardigm in Personal Growth.
Companies that have used the CHARACTER FIRST!® program have expeirienced a decrease in workers' compensation costs and work-related injuries. Loyalty, Enthusiasm, and Willingness from employees build a better corporate image than any amount of money spent on advertising.
Character Matters
http://charactermatters.com/
The purpose of Character Matters is to be an educational, inspirational and practical resource that emphasizes the importance of personal character to all else in life and to examine and discuss issues related to character, character education, ethics, integrity, morality, moral education, moral development, values, and the life. This website is sponsored by Pepperdine University.
Developmental Studies Center
http://www.devstu.org/
The Developmental Studies Center (DSC), formed in 1980, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help children develop intellectually, ethically, and socially. Developing school-based programs, after-school and parent-involvement programs- in the areas of literacy, numeracy, and community building. Providing professional development services and resources- to schools, school districts, and community-based organizations. Producing and disseminating educational resources-including curricular and instructional materials, staff development materials, and other resources (print and video).
ERIC Digests
http://eric.ed.gov/
ERIC Digests are short reports (1,000 - 1,500 words) on topics of prime current interest in education. They are targeted specifically for teachers, administrators, policymakers, and other practitioners, but generally useful to the broad educational community. ERIC is funded by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The full-text ERIC Digest database contains 2,184 Digests published through March, 2000. The database is updated quarterly; Digests added to the ERIC Database during the previous three months are added.
Ethics Resource Center (ERC)
http://www.ethics.org/
Their mission is to be a leader and catalyst in fostering ethical practices in individuals and institutions. Inspiring individuals, both children and adults, to act ethically towards one another; also institutions to act ethically, recognizing their role as transmitters of values.
International Center for Character Education
http://www.teachvalues.org/icce/
The ICCE is concerned with the four pillars of democracy: home, school, church, and community. The Center's purpose is to enable school personnel, parents, teacher educators, faith community members, youth providers, and concerned individuals to come together to study, discuss, learn, practice, reflect, and write on issues, programs, problems and promises regarding the character education of children and youth.
Good site for teachers and parents
http://www.charactered.net/
The Character Education Network is a place for students, teachers, schools and communities to facilitate character education. This site is dedicated to providing quality online, ready-to-use curriculum, activities and resources that integrate with and enhance the classroom experience. It allows schools and students to network together by sharing ideas and experiences with others in their community and nationwide.
Positive Coaching Alliance
www.positivecoach.org
Department of Athletics
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6150
Phone: 866-725-0024 FAX: (650) 739-0270
Provides tools, guidelines, and programs to help coaches develop good character in young athletes. Lots of useful stuff on their website.
Other Related Sites:
U.S. Department of Education Office of Educational Research and Improvement
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/char_ed/fed_proj/9-16.html
Free Educational Resources for Character Education
http://www.midgefrazel.net/character.html(Character education resources for teachers - By Midge Frazel)
National Clearinghouse for Character Education
http://www.characteredprep.org/
National Character Education Center
http://www.ethicsusa.com/
National Staff Development Council
http://64.78.6.92/library/publications/jsd/npeat213.cfm
http://www.nsdc.org/library/publications/jsd/jsdhixsn.cfm
Character Education Training
http://www.joyinlearning.com/
Teaching Kids To Care
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/SchoolsOnline/charactered.html
Many free resources for teachers
http://www.goodcharacter.com
Ideas for teachers – Character Ed
http://atozteacherstuff.com/Themes/Character_Education/
A Twelve point approach to Character Education
http://www.cortland.edu/character/12pts.html
Teaching Tolerance
http://www.tolerance.org/teach/
Teach with Movies
http://www.teachwithmovies.org/character-development-index.htm
Education World
http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr114.shtml
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
http://www.ascd.org/cms/index.cfm?TheViewID=1728&flag=1728&showsubs=0,1728
Focus Adolescent Services
http://www.focusas.com/CharacterEducation.html
Character Education
http://guidance.wwwcomm.com/charactered.htm
Character Education MSDE Fact Sheet: http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/charactered/md/factsheet.shtm
Values education for teachers
http://www.k12.hi.us/~mkunimit/page13.htm
Bay Point Schools
http://www.baypointschools.com/caraedu.html
Teach-nology
http://www.teach-nology.com/currenttrends/character_education/
General Character Education resources
http://www.pitt.edu/~poole/CharacterEd.html
Google character education resource links
ttp://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=character+education&btnG=Google+Search
Paper from a conference on values
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~bobmerik/value.htm
Character and Sports
http://www.goodcharacter.com/Sports.html
Other States:
Florida
www.floridacharactereducation.org
New Jersey
http://www.state.nj.us/njded/chared/
http://www.state.nj.us/njded/chared/summary.htm
Texas
http://fcs.tamu.edu/tbc/tbc_newsletter/summer2000.htm
Utah’s Character Education Site
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/char_ed/
The Maryland Center for Character Education
29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204Phone: 410-823-4902
Fax: 410-828-9661
E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com
