SCHOOLWIDE

CHARACTER EDUCATION
PROGRAM

JIMENA RISING
WHAT IS CHARACTER EDUCATION?
Programs used in schools to teach:
• Values
• Ethics
• Character traits
• Conflict resolution
• Social Emotional Development (SEL)

US Department of Education (2023)

PROPOSED PROGRAM

• HARMONY
• SEL program
• Can be implemented for different grade levels
• Foster relationships

National University (2023) Harmony SEL. Retrieved from: https://www.harmonysel.org

PROGRAM INTEGRATED WITH
MISSION AND VISION
• Promotes engagement
• Supports community and building a positive environment.
• Allows students to set individual goals
CHARACTER TRAITS OF THE Supporting
PROGRAM others and
the
community

Having self
confidence
Creating and
maintaining
positive
Building
relationships Character
Traits

Having great Valuing others

communication
skills
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT BY GRADE
LEVEL
Lower grades: Higher grades:

• Specific buddies given • Buddies can be picked by student

• Specific exampled provided • Student led discussions and activities
• Materials given • Activities are more open ended and
• Teacher led activities and discussions promote higher order thinking
STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT

• Stakeholders could support program by promoting the character traits

• Using the game cards throughout the whole day
• Promoting positive communication
• Program can be evaluated with the responses to the student perception survey.
HARMONY VS. CHARACTER FIRST

HARMONY C H A R A C T E R F IR S T

• Free • Not free

• Focuses on SEL • Digital download
• Digital materials • Focus on cultural differences
• Can be differentiated for each class • Focus on honesty, patience, and social
• Activities that promote peer interaction values.
HARMONY VS. LESSONS IN
CHARACTER
HARMONY L E S S O N S IN C H AR A CT E R

• Promotes SEL • Focus on education values

• Teaches good morals and values • Promotes academics
• Does not focus on academics • Includes daily oral language
• Focused on more activities than • Includes weekly writing assessments
assignments
STEPS TO IMPLEMENT

• Research program and how it will apply to all grade levels.

• Provide teachers with professional development explaining the program and expectations for
use.
• Send parents a letter about the program as it applies to our school.
• Hold an assembly for students explaining the program and the expected outcome.
• Implement program in classrooms.
• Answer any additional questions that arise.
PRESENTER’S NOTES

• Harmony is a character education program that focuses on mental health.

• Each lesson can be differentiated for each class.
• Program focuses on building strong character traits.
• Program is free and easy to implement.
REFERENCES:

• US Department of Education (2023) Character Education Interventions Evidence Based

Review Protocol. Retrieved from: https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/Document/23
• National University (2023) Harmony SEL. Retrieved from: https://www.harmonysel.org
• Mark Phillips (2015) Increasing Student Voice in Local Schools and Districts. Retrieved from:
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/increasing-student-voice-schools-districts-mark-phillips