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Links  
Articles & Research
Book, Video & Game-Based
Recommended Books
Character Ed. Organizations
Collections of Links
Service Ideas
Lessons, Quotes, Activities, Stories, & Music
Handing Disruptive Behaviors
Parenting
Blogs
Other Helpful Sites & Web Exchanges

Articles and Research

  1. The Center for the Fourth and Fifth Rs http://www.cortland.edu/character/default.asp  This center is directed by Dr. Thomas Lickona, a recognized leader and author in character education. Great set of articles! 
  2. Good Character http://www.goodcharacter.com/Articles.html - articles on classroom discussion techniques.
  3. Eric Digest http://www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed424190.html On using hero stories for character education. Documented.  
  4. ERIC Resources on Character Education
    http://www.ericfacility.net/ericdigests/ed444932.html
  5. A to Z Teacher Stuff Network  http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/charactereducation.shtml Articles on conflict resolution and incorporating character education into the curriculum. 
  6. Articles on teens who triumphed over trouble, what’s working in one school system, etc. http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr114.shtml
  7. Great site of useful biographies that illustrations could be made from.  http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pagegen/mainmenu.html
  8. Another site of biographies, including current biography: http://www.rolemodel.net  
  9. Attributes of a well-educated person http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/lifeskills/#lifelong
  10. Some good online articles  http://education.csufresno.edu/bonnercenter/about.html documented article. Looks good. http://www.cortland.edu/character/default.asp Articles by New York University.
  11. Character Plus Process http://info.csd.org/staffdev/chared/Process/process.html Ten essential parts of a healthy character education program. Includes links to their specific characteristics.
  12. National Center for Youth Issues http://www.cyi-stars.org/inforesources.htm
  13. Eleven principles of effective character education. (See appendix). http://www.state.nj.us/njded/chared/report.pdf Found here: http://www.state.nj.us/njded/chared
  14. Looks like some great articles! http://tigger.uic.edu/~lnucci/MoralEd
  15. Twenty Seven full research articles by Clete Bulach at West Georgia College http://www.westga.edu/~sclimate/ftext.htm 
  16. University of Illinois http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/SchoolsOnline/charactered.html Contains about 20 lessons, no illustrations, for various character traits. Excerpted from their book. Tell about what have learned in Chicago. Offer classes, seminars. From University of Illinois.
  17. North Carolina Public Schools http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nccep/cumberland some brief ideas from two of their school systems. Some advice on literature for assigned reading at http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nccep/wake_county/page1.html I like their ideas on integrating character ed into various subjects, such as Science. Check these out at  http://www.ncpublicschools.org/nccep/lp/subjects.html#science
  18. On teaching social skills. http://home.att.net/%7Eclnetwork/socialsk.htm
  19. THIS SITE ROCKS! http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pagegen/mainmenu.html Interviews, short biographies of great people of our time. Great for the raw material from which to craft stories. 
  20. Suggestions and ideas: http://caracas.soehd.csufresno.edu/bonnercenter/PromisingPractices/CHARACTER2.HTM
  21. 24 articles on character http://www.scu.edu/ethics/articles/articles.cfm?fam=EDUC , also links, related themes, etc. Markulla Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. 
  22. Fifty-five audio tapes from the latest Missouri conference put on by Character Plus. . Listen to them free of charge on your computer. Valuable resource! http://204.184.19.55/cpa/ 
  23. The Search Institute: A great archive of research and practical articles on their "Forty Developmental Assets" http://www.search-institute.org 
  24. Changing Minds: The largest free, full-content site I've found on how we change what others think, feel, believe and do. http://www.changingminds.org 
Book, Video, Seminar, Music and Game-Based Curriculum
  1. Good Character www.goodcharacter.com - Multi-cultural, entertaining, research-based videos that can supplement and enhance a character education or life skills curriculum. Each video includes a teacher's guide.
  2. Character Development Group http://www.charactereducation.com/resources.htm#teacherresources812
    A variety of resources offered by character education guru Dr. Philip Fitch Vincent. 
  3. Project Wisdom http://www.projectwisdom.com/materials/fill_info_register.asp  Buy a notebook of One minute messages for intercom or school-wide TV.  Free Samples. 
  4. Songs with Character  http://www.songswithcharacter.com - Ready-to-use lessons, activities, and songs for Character Education and Anti-Bullying.
  5. Foxglove Music Press http://www.foxglovemusicpress.com/seanotes.html publishes a book/CD set "Character Education...With Music" aimed at Pre-K through 2nd grade level.
  6. Accent on Success http://www.accentonsuccess.com/ publishes the book, Goal Setting For Students, targeting fifth grade and up, which teaches students how to set and achieve goals. Teacher's resource also available. 
  7. Aegis - www.aegis-character.com - "AEGIS International provides a character education curriculum for K-6

    that is designed to help children develop a stronger sense of personal responsibility, a greater respect for themselves and others, and more resistance to negative peer influence and unhealthy social norms. This program focuses on the universal and fundamental standards of: Worth & Potential, Rights & Responsibilities, Fairness & Justice, Effort & Excellence, Social Responsibility, Personal Integrity, and Care & Consideration. This curriculum incorporates a strong link with parents, and has demonstrated a significant effect on reducing experimentation with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The program works in a school, after school, summer school, or mentoring setting."

  8. Wise Skills - www.wiseskills.com - printed curriculum for k-8, including character stories as well as activities, etc. 
  9. Three Teacher Press - http://mysite.verizon.net/reso4qht/index.html - Their book, "Character Keys To A Bright Future," contains character stories, discussion questions and activities targeting 8th and 9th graders (but suitable for older and younger). See also their sister sites: Teen Discoveries - http://mysite.verizon.net/reso4qht/teendiscoveries/ - and http://mysite.verizon.net/reso4qht/teenmuse/ .
  10. National Professional Resources, Inc. www.nprinc.com: Character Education, Staff Development and Teacher Training Resources.
  11. Fiszer Concepts http://www.fiszerconcepts.com/index.html - Dr. Fiszer is an elementary school principal and university professor who uses short, inspirational messages over the intercom. His book, Daily Positives, contains over 150 brief stories that can be used effectively by parents and teachers.  See also his award-winning book, Goal Setting For Students, at http://www.accentonsuccess.com/ .
  12. Virtue Toys - http://www.virtuetoys.com - Find resources on character education, character lessons, character development, with the help of fun, innovative toys, games and ideas that speed up the process by making opportunities for kids to practice virtues and see them in action.
  13. Center for Learning - http://www.centerforlearning.org - "We have a huge collection of books for teachers with a goal to provide practical classroom material for both new and veteran teachers. The Center For Learning has published more than 600 values-based teacher's resources books and provides complementary services."
  14. Philosophy and Character Building for Kids - http://kidsthinkaboutit.com Philosophy teaches us to be honest with ourselves about our own shortcomings, and allows us to identify and pursue qualities we wish to develop. It also helps us to create strategies for dealing with the world around us.
  15.  I am Going to College - www.iamgoingtocollege.com - Use your school PA system to deliver unique "cartoon radio" character education programming to your entire campus - in less than 8 minutes a week! McRadio includes 36 short episodes - one for each week of the year - that motivates your students to perform better both academically and behaviorally. Students are taught to C.A.R.E. about themselves, others, academics, college, and their future!

     

Recommended Books
  1. http://www.charactereducation.com/resources.htm#teacherresources812 Several of these books look helpful, particularly the one on what they've learned in the Chattanooga school systems.
  2. Short bibliography. http://education.csufresno.edu/bonnercenter/bonner/PAGE6.HTM
  3. Center for the 4th and 5th Rs http://www.cortland.edu/character/default.asp
  4. Character Clearinghouse - http://www.collegevalues.org/resources.cfm Good list of books, extensive, but not annotated. Most extensive set of annotated links I’ve seen.
  5. Good annotated list of books on character development. http://tigger.uic.edu/~lnucci/MoralEd/books.html
  6. Enjoy Your Money! How to Make It, Save It, Invest It and Give It teaches personal money management in an entertaining story form, showing how character traits (diligence, discipline, etc.) can lead to financial success. It can be used as a text for personal financial management classes. http://wisdomcreekpress.com/personal_finance_text.html
  7. Author Stephanie Heuer asked students to complete two sentences: "I feel like nobody when..." and "I feel like somebody when...." Her book reveals their responses.  http://www.somebodybook.com/author.html 
  8. Life as a Leaf: Growing Integrity in Children - "a simple, effective program for helping children realize their connection to others in the larger world at a very early age."  http://www.lifeasaleaf.com 
Character Education Organizations
  1. Teach One to Lead One - http://www.teachonetoleadone.org/index.htm - Developing character and leadership through teaching universal principles, presented by trained mentors. 
  2. The Character Counts! Coalition - www.charactercounts.org - Advancing the "Six Pillars of Character": trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
  3. The Peace Rug - http://www.peacerug.com/ - A research-based, proven way to conflict resolution in schools.
  4. Character Development Group - http://www.charactereducation.com/ Offers lots of resources from many organizations. Ask for their free catalog. Based in North Carolina. 
  5. National Center for Youth Issues - www.ncyi.org - Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this organizations offers many resources from many organizations through their catalog. 
  6. Values Education for Australian Schooling - See especially their "Good Practice Schools" section, where they're studying schools to discover the best practices for teaching character education.  http://www.valueseducation.edu.au/values/values_homepage,8655.html 
  7. Chivalry Today - http://www.chivalrytoday.com/ - An educational program that promotes the values of 
    chivalry through classroom presentations and on-line resources, combining lessons in history and literature with character education.

Collections of Links

  1. The Center for the Fourth and Fifth Rs: http://www.cortland.edu/character/default.asp This center is directed by Dr. Thomas Lickona, a recognized leader and author in character education. Great set of annotated links! 
  2. Good Character  http://www.goodcharacter.com/TeacherResources.html Good collection of 24 sites on character
  3. Educational Resources Web Page by Midge Frazel I like her collection of resource links, articles, etc. Updated recently. 
  4. http://www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=5399 A good set of links, including links to curriculum, to explore.
  5. Good set of annotated links: http://education.csufresno.edu/bonnercenter/ce_links.html
  6. Center for the 4th and 5th Rs Recommended books, links, resources http://www.cortland.edu/character/default.asp
  7. Markulla Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University  http://www.scu.edu/ethics/articles/articles.cfm?fam=EDUC  
  8. Character Clearinghouse - http://www.collegevalues.org/resources.cfm Most extensive set of annotated links I’ve seen.
  9. Good list of links from Kennesaw State University - http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/chared.htm
  10. New Jersey Professional Education Port http://www.njpep.org/Educators/content/ContentResources/character_education/Lesson_plans.htm
    Good annotated list of sites to look for lessons.
  11. Links from North Dakota - http://www.dpi.state.nd.us/characed/resource.shtm

Service Ideas

  1. http://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/primer-10.html FREE! Specific ideas for service ideas. The first half of the page is for grades K-5, the second half for grades 6-12.
  2. http://www.servantevangelism.com/matrix/matrix.htm FREE! 500+ specific projects, with click-throughs on each button heading to give more detail. From a church whose forte is acts of kindness.
  3. http://www.actsofkindness.org/board/viewforum.php?f=1 FREE discussion board where people exchange ideas for acts of kindness.
  4. http://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/primer-1.html FREE! Step by step on how to plan and implement acts of kindness for greatest effectiveness. Includes a project planning sheet.

Web-Based Lessons, Activities, Quotes, Stories, Music

  1. Good Character: www.goodcharacter.com - Their video discussion guides are available free of charge online. Although some questions and activities assume the use of the video, others could be used in a discussion. Resources for K-12.
  2. Some lesson plans and activities online: http://www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=5399#lesson
  3. http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/SchoolsOnline/charactered.html Contains about 20 lessons, no illustrations, for various character traits. Excerpted from their book. Tell about what have learned in Chicago. Offer classes, seminars. From University of Illinois.
  4. Character Counts http://www.charactercounts.org/guides.htm offers database of quotes - one liners, not stories. Also offer a small amount of ideas/activities for character education. 
  5. Joy in Learning http://www.joyinlearning.com/game.html Two example games. 
  6. One example lesson. http://info.csd.org/staffdev/chared/Connections/high/high.html
  7. THIS SITE ROCKS! http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/pagegen/mainmenu.html Interviews, short biographies of great people of our time. Great for the raw material from which to craft stories. 
  8. Offers online materials http://ddonline.tomsnyder.com/howto.htm – contemporary headlines with questions and answers of moral significance. One year subscription cost is $59.95 for one user, $199.95 for 5 users, etc. Get 30 days free to see how it works.  
  9. Center for Character Development. http://www.collegevalues.org/resources.cfm – Some games and activities, plus a helpful list of Bible verses pertaining to various character traits for faith based schools. 
  10. Online materials for k-6th grade. http://www.lifeskills4kids.com/lessons2.html
  11. Civics in Action http://www.civicsinaction.org/ gives civics lessons that reflect on character from current events.
  12. Character Kids www.character-kids.com Great songs and poems to promote character education for children
    5-11 years.
  13. "Big Philosophy for Little Kids: A Reading and Writing Adventure Through Time." Curricula for nurturing emotional fluency and moral sagacity, by a fifth-grade teacher who specializes in affective education. http://web.mac.com/maestromarrero/iWeb/Site/Big%20Philosophy%3A%20Intro.html 
  14. Business Quotes http://www.woopidoo.com/business_quotes 
  15. Explore Facing History and Ourselves has a new interactive website, “Be the Change: Upstanders for Human Rights” (http://www.facinghistory.org/BeTheChange). The website profiles the stories of five extraordinary men and women who have made a positive difference in the world. Designed for teenagers, and created with the help of student interviewers, “Be the Change” looks at the influences, inspirations and motivations that led the five upstanders to take action on behalf of others. By taking the journey through the website, students connect with a growing global network of their peers who care about creating a more just world.
  16. I found some neat, free outdoor games that could be connected to character traits through this site - http://www.picnicrecipesandgames.com .
  17. Teaching ideas, classroom activities, lessons, articles, links and resources for Values/Character Education. Based in the Philippines, most links and resources were chosen specifically with Filipino learners and educators in mind.  http://www.valueseducation.net/
  18. Words Work is a free user-friendly supplement to after school programs
    serving middle-school-aged children. The Words Work curriculum teaches
    kids to use communication skills to prevent and manage conflict. http://www.abanet.org/dispute/wordswork/

Handling Disruptive Behaviors

http://www.disciplinehelp.com/ - Discipline Help - Online resource for handling over 100 misbehaviors in class or at home.

 


Parenting

  1. http://www.savingchildhood.org/ - A helpful forum for discussing issues related to providing a less stressful childhood for our children.
  2. http://www.schwablearning.org/index.asp - Great articles for parents helping kids with learning disabilities.


Blogs

1. http://valuesblog.blogspot.com - Character Education and Values Blog. Steve Miller, the primary writer for Legacy Educational Resources, writes this blog.

 

2. http://www.enjoyyourwriting.com - Practical tips on writing and marketing books, by the primary contributor to this site.

 


Other Helpful Sites and Link Exchanges

 

Drugs and Alcohol

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Resources for parents, educators and faith leaders from the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. See the entire site. Great stuff!

 

http://www.drugwatch.com - "extensive information about thousands of different medications and drugs currently on the market or previously available worldwide. DrugWatch.com includes up-to-date information about prescription and over-the-counter medications and includes details about associated side effects to aid in the protection of patients and consumers."

 

Learning Disabilities

  1. http://www.schoolbehavior.com/ - Written in lay language, this site is a great starting point for teachers and parents trying to help students with disabilities. The many helpful articles help us to identify disabilities and find practical ideas to make learning easier. 
  2. The National Resource Center on AD/HD ( www.help4adhd.org ). Provides an online library open to Operated by CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also have a 1-800 number to call for advice by phone. The articles I've read are clear, to the point and based on research into what works.
  3. http://www.schwablearning.org/index.asp - Great articles for parents helping kids with learning disabilities.
  4. http://www.sandralreading.com/index.html - The Sandral Reading site provides resources to help toddlers, elementary and middle school kids learn the fundamentals of reading and test preparation. For all students, not just those with disabilities.

Persuasion


http://www.changingminds.org - Changing Minds. The largest free, full-content site I've found on how we change what others think, feel, believe and do. Anyone teaching character must understand persuasion. We're not just helping students memorize content, but persuading them to adopt new forms of behavior. Valuable site. 

 

Critical Thinking

 

http://www.vts.intute.ac.uk/detective/index.html "The Internet Detective" helps students distinguish good sources from bad sources when researching on the Web. I love the way the site is set up and designed! Makes for a fun, informative read. Whether you're teaching critical thinking or assigning a research project, have your students read this site in preparation. 

 

Elementary Level Crafts that Conserve the Environment (as voted by Mrs. Eckert's 5th Grade Art Class at Pinewood Elementary)

 


1.  http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/cereal-box-sandals-668644/

2. http://www.upack.com/moving-services/articles/moving-boxes-fun-crafts-for-kids/

3. http://www.epa.gov/students/index.html

4. http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/sendhome/ect/homeeng1298.htm

5. http://lake.osu.edu/topics/community-development/recycled-craft-ideas

6. http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/staff/boldtkatherine/Educators/Arts&Crafts.htm#FUN_LINKS_Art

7. http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-bottled-water/

8. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/Boxguitar.shtml

 

Faith-Based Character Education

  1. www.youth-ministry.info contains over 1000 pages of lesson plans, geared to teen, from a protestant Christian perspective. Most of the lessons involve character. Also, they house an illustration database of over 3500 speakers and writers illustrations. Great for local church youth ministers and pastors who want to communicate with the younger generation.
  2. http://www.epicworld.net contains ideas for character education in the home, particularly for dinner conversations revolving around stories. 
  3. www.cpyu.org , the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding, keeps a sharp eye out on what we can learn about today's youth from both research and the media. The better we know them, the better we can help them.  

Character Testing

 

www.charactertesting.com Offers an online method for character verification & guidance. Discover your  your character strengths and weaknesses and get suggestions for strengthening your areas of weakness.

 

Sponsor a Child

 

http://www.worldvision.org/ - Sponsor a child through World Vision.  Their child sponsorship programs help alleviate world poverty, fight natural disasters and protect children.

 

Dating

 

http://www.theromantic.com/books.htm Some highly acclaimed books about creative dating and adding romance to relationships. Helpful supplemental ideas for teaching Dating, Marriage and Family classes.

 

 

Interviewing Techniques and Assessment in the Workplace

http://www.rogersgroup.com.au - The Rogers Group offers a wide range of assessment programs for the interviewing needs of companies.

 

 

Finding Local Classes

 

http://www.trainingblock.com/ Find local classes, workshops, seminars or clubs. (Presently only in Georgia, but going nationwide!)

 

Educational Games and Helps for Children, Learning Games for Kids

 

http://www.smartneurons.com/index.asp - Kids Educational Software offers products to help preschoolers with critical thinking, imagination, and leadership.

 

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com - Sheppard Software - educational games and activities for kids of all ages.

 

Unusual Sports Equipment and Toys for Outdoor Activities

 

http://www.funattic.com/ - Unique stuff for creative outdoor games.

 

Assemblies and Special Events

http://www.atrickybusiness.com/ - Winner of Atlanta's Magician of the Year award does assemblies that promote character.

 

Home Schooling

  1. http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/: A to Z Homes' Cool Home Schooling Web Site. Great first stop to find resources to either home school your children or supplement a public or private school education. 
  2. http://homeschool.priswell.com: Pontiac High School -  Practical information on helping others to get started homeschooling. How our hobbies became an education.

Researching Articles

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/comsite5/bin/comsite5.pl - I'm finding many great free articles on this site. It claims to help you access Web resources through your local library, without having to use your library card. Fast and efficient.

 

 

 

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