Character Connection Presentation 2004 Presentations
Awarded the 2001 "Promising Practices" Citation from the Character Education Partnership (CEP) in Washington, D.C. and the 2001“Golden Ruler” Award from the International Center for Character Education (ICCE) in San Diego, this interactive presentation includes weekly parent-child activities for families to develop meaningful dialogues supporting character education, social skills, family values, and curriculum. We will provide parent-student samples of assignments that focus on developing character traits such as responsibility, respect, compassion, and service learning. These discussion topics, which are also available in Spanish, help to guide parents in building a solid relationship between home and school, as well as embracing the community as a learning tool. Assessment confirms increased academic achievement and involvement as a result of the program. Handouts offer fresh ideas to use immediately. Recommended for grades K-6. The entire program is available in our book, Character Connection for Parent, Child, and School. Goals and Objectives
Character determines who we are as individuals. The character traits that our students develop and possess will direct their actions, choices, and the path they will take in life. The family, school, and community have a responsibility to help students cultivate sound and wise character traits. These qualities don’t just suddenly appear in a person’s life. A strong character program requires strong support from parents, community, service organizations, business, and religious institutions, as well as from school. Teachers and administrators can make a difference by integrating character education into our existing curriculum, modeling strong character traits, reinforcing positive behaviors, and enlisting the support of the family and community.
The session will demonstrate how a small group of determined educators striving to impart values discussion in the home served as a catalyst to bring the benefits of character education to a school district of 36,000 students and the broader community. Homework activities substantiate the value of parent participation in creating an atmosphere of positive change in thinking about character. This new thinking pattern causes families to evaluate personal convictions and embrace diversity in order to create a more caring environment. Samples show the effect of civic leaders and families uniting in the cause of character in the home, school and community. The presentation includes student portfolios designed to highlight cultural diversity, patriotism, conflict resolution, service, and citizenship projects as well as ten specific character traits. Addressing academics as a national focus, presenters will validate how character education has increased test scores to achieve excellence.
The Character Connection Homework Program serves as a catalyst to connect character development in the classroom, the community, and the world. Students and families in elementary grades have been able to link classroom studies to service learning/citizenship projects and create community interaction. As a result of recent world events, multicultural students have a greater sense of awareness of the headlines beyond their community. Although the focus of our program began with specific parent activities aimed at academic growth and values discussion in the home, our whole school has become a laboratory where students can test themselves and their beliefs, explore their talents, and develop the many facets of service learning. In our presentation we will provide models of citizenship projects which include a broad scope of civic activities that have encouraged essential opportunities for students and their families. Civic involvement includes:
Marla Loew has been an educator for 18 years and a passionate advocate of Character Education. Her desire is to raise the moral conscience of each child and family while maintaining high academic standards. She is the co-author of Character Connection, a school to home outreach program that encourages parents to talk to their children about values. Marla recently completed her Masters Degree in Character Education from the University of San Diego and speaks to high school students at the “Day of Respect” in her community. She is currently developing a curriculum of character discussion topics for middle and high school students. Marla was recently honored as one of the 2002 Women of the Year for Stanislaus County. Janie Hamilton Marchini has 31 years of teaching experience. Her energetic approach to teaching addresses the whole child. No newcomer to the character education field, Janie helped develop a values clarification and positive attitude curriculum. Janie has a real heart for the family and believes they are the most important element in building morally strong and ethical young people. She is co-author of the Character Connection Homework Program. Janie was recently honored as one of the 2002 Women of the Year for Stanislaus County. To Schedule a Presentation For more information and to schedule a presentation, contact: Character Connection Marla Loew Telephone: (209) 526-4459 Copyright
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