This is the perfect time developmentally to focus on kindness. Character education programs are easiest to implement at the elementary level. Young children respond with enthusiasm to songs and plays that incorporate words associated with character learning. Finding effective strategies and teaching materials for middle school and high school students is more difficult, but teachers are discovering ways to weave important themes into everyday lessons. And when some students refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, business teacher Tomeka Hart used what could have been an awkward moment to encourage a class discussion about the American flag.
Some teachers are skeptical of character education and see it as a fad.
Blalock administrators seem indifferent to the new program, according to some observers at the school. Other educators worry that teaching about values can be interpreted as promoting religion. But John Roddy, director of federal programs for the state education department, says he has consulted with such groups as the Anti-Defamation League and received no complaints. Whatever the doubts about character education, the new Georgia teachers' center has an ambitious agenda. It will operate a Web site featuring lesson plans and a chat room, and it will publish a newsletter to highlight successful programs and announce upcoming conferences and workshops.