1. A Partner with Macon County Schools Sponsored by the Daniel Foundation
A Partner with Macon County Schools
Sponsored by the
Daniel Foundation

2. What is Character? Character is what you do when no one is watching.
Character is who we really are.
It’s not how you look but who you are on the inside.
A person with character thinks right, talks right, and does what is right.

3. Why is Character Important
Character is important for our children if they are to grow up and be productive and contributing citizens. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education.”

4. Why Character Education?
The foundation for formal character education began in Alabama in 1995 when Act was enacted.
The act mandated that Alabama school students in grades K-12, public and private, receive character education at least 10 minutes a day.
In addition, the Alabama legislature selected 25 character traits to be emphasized through character education programs.

5. 25 Character Traits to be Emphasized
Cheerfulness
Courage
Generosity
Patriotism
School
Pride
Citizenship
Courtesy
Honesty
Perseverance
Self-
Cleanliness
Creativity
Kindness
Punctuality
Respect
Compassion
Diligence
Loyalty
Respect of
Environment
Sportsmanship
Cooperation
Fairness
Patience
Others
Tolerance

6. What is Character@Heart
is a program dedicated and committed to “Building character today or a better tomorrow.” provides materials and training in order to implement the Act mandate in the classroom.

7. Character@Heart Program
Through the Program, each K-6 school will have character coordinators designated to:
support character education in the
school
coordinate character education
activities
coordinate school-wide service
projects

8. Getting Started
We have already gotten started and are participating in character education activities daily. We must begin to keep a log of activities that are done to support character education, even of the smallest activity.

9. Ways to Continue to Promote Character Education in our School
Promote service clubs with real missions
Choose a personal motto and share with students
Weave character lessons into your discussions in reading and social studies classes
Write, call, or visit parents to praise students
Hang sayings on walls encouraging good character
Institute a character honor roll

10. Possible School Wide Character Education Activities
Organize a Character Trait Parade
Create Character Cheers (have a contest)
Organize Simple Service Projects
Announce Quotes of the Week (Marquee)
Create a Character Traits Calendar
Create Character Songs/Raps
Organize Character Clubs
Give “I’ve Got Character Award!” Award

11. Possible Service Learning Projects for our School
Continue to Participate in Christmas Giving Drive
Make gift baskets, etc. for nursing home patrons
Adopt a Grandfriend
Write letters to men and women serving our country
Make sweet-treat bags for community helpers (policemen, firemen, postal workers, etc)
As many as you can think to do

12. Your Thoughts
What will you do to contribute to promoting character education in your classroom? What do you think we can do in our schools to continue to support the mandate?