Character-in-Action® Program
Elementary School Character Education

Virgil, a Roman poet in the first century BC, applied gardening knowledge to children when he observed, "As the twig is bent, the tree inclines." Translation? The things we teach young children incline them along a future direction in life.

Elementary school character education has the joyous privilege of "bending twigs" for society. It can "incline" children to become men and women of character, thereby turning back modern society from its moral decline. But how do you teach character to such young children? Isn't that a difficult task?

Let's begin by teaching your elementary school children what character itself is.

Preparation — Order the book, Christopher Cat's Character Club. This is volume #1 in the Character Companions™ Series. We recommend that you order trading cards and stickers, too, for all of the children. You will definitely want to order character buttons! Download lesson plans and activities for the book, and print out picture charts, tests, and coloring pages. Set clear goals of what you want to accomplish.
Step 1 — Give each child a character button to wear, and get them excited about learning character. Children can put on the buttons each day when they arrive at school, and leave them with the teacher when they go home.
	Step 2 — Read Christopher Cat's Character Club to non-readers. Readers may read it alone or as a group.
	Step 3 — Talk about the story as you read. Ask questions about what might happen next, and accept all answers, giving none of your own. Let the story answer.
Step 4 — As you read, display the picture charts to illustrate the story. Hang them on the wall for reference during your study unit.
	Step 5 — Have children repeat after you each time you read the definition of character from the back of the book. Raising a finger for each point helps them remember. Read it several times a day.
	Step 6 — Give younger children the coloring / writing practice page between readings. Give older children student study worksheets. Display finished colorings in a "Character corner."
Step 7 — Have children sing along on the catchy Character Song, putting actions to the words, reinforcing the lesson
	Step 8 — Talk about the character club. What things did the cats do there? Who showed character? Who did not? What will you do in your character club? Form one as a special time for ongoing character education studies.
	Step 9 — Make the character craft with the children — a reminder of Christopher, of the story, and of character.
Step 10 — Administer the picture test to younger children, the written test to older students, to assess comprehension of the story.
	Step 11 — Place stickers at the tops of completed test, regardless of children's success levels.
Step 12 — Distribute trading cards as take-home reminders of the meaning of character.

Teaching honesty, responsibility, respect, caring, and many other character traits is just as easy, fun and effective with the Character-in-Action® Program, and when you register as a teacher, you qualify for special discounts.

Complete your teacher registration now to get your special discounts!

You'll get the free, monthly Character Builder Newsletter, too, filled with teaching secrets, special offers, and character gear for award programs!

P.S. The steps above are only one way to teach character with your Character-in-Action® Program. When you download the lesson plans, you will find additional activities and crafts — secrets to reinforce your lessons!