Character Education

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Character Education

• August 26, 2009

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• The most important work that Principia has to do
  is the development of character.(EAP 77)

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Unfoldment of Character

• We are all working for the unfoldment of
  characterThat is our real workThe subject
  matter of the classroom is only the vehicle for
  the larger purpose. The vital thing is not
  merely intellectual progress, but it is spiritual
  progress. And this is the point at which
  Principia differs from every other school.
• (EAP 107)

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Policy 12

• The Principia takes the position that education
  in its fullest sense cannot be confined to
  academic subjects but includes the building of
  character.
• In the words of Mary Kimball Morgan, the Founder
  of The Principia, Developing the power to think
  accurately, wisely, and with intelligent
  discrimination cultivating the ability to
  dissect thought and to discard that which is not
  constructive in daily living strengthening the
  capacity to form high ideals and the courage
  necessary for standing by those ideals until they
  are outlined in Christian character that is the
  work The Principia regards as true education.

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(No Transcript)
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• Mrs. Morgans use of the word character
• character training
• true character
• well-rounded character
• character development
• Christian character
• strong character
• unfoldment of character
• character building

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Requirements of character development

• Learn what honor means
• Know demands of Principle
• Education of the whole man
• Amenities of life
• Live harmoniously and helpfully
• Consideration
• Unselfish citizenship
• Establish a true basis for the social life
• Finer sense of companionship
• Mutual respect
• Courteous consideration
• Learn what true independence means

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• Less selfish
• Less self-centered habit of thought
• True gentleman or gentlewoman
• Clean, orderly personal habits of refinement
• Appropriateness of dress
• Courteous bearing
• Gracious, refined speech
• Reverence for God
• Respect for religious convictions of others
• Manhood/womanhood
• Purity of thought
• (EAP p. 157-158)

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Our responsibility as character educators

• When we establish our own thinking on a
  spiritual basis, we shall be prepared to engage
  in the real character building claimed for
  Principia. (EAP p. 73)
• seek divine wisdom constantly (EAP p. 21)
• guard our own thinking and refuse to make
  personal or real anything that is unlike God.
  (EAP p. 47)
• We must keep our thought right with Him
  constantly. (EAP p. 135)

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Character Education Methodology- From Mrs.
Morgans writings -

• Acknowledge the unfolding of the real man, of
  ones true Christly individuality
• Cherish individual spiritual progress growth in
  Christian Science
• Think from the basis of Principle (accuracy of
  thought truthful, correct, right, righteous,
  scientific thought)
• Direct thought and actions back to the underlying
  principles
• Never excuse error love is firmness in the right
• Promote unselfishness

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Mrs. Morgans Methods- for all of us as
educators -

• Spiritualize our professional skills -- leave
  nothing un-translated, un-treated, uninspired.

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• Parents and teachers who live close to the
  young people in their care are given much food
  for thought in the type of questions stirring in
  the thoughts of youth today. If our relationship
  with these girls and boys is what it should be,
  they will talk freely with us of the problems
  that present themselves and also of their own
  hopes and interests in life. At least, they will
  do so if they find in our response to their
  questioning something of sufficient value to feed
  them or if they find in us an honest,
  intelligent, sympathetic readiness to consider
  with them these fundamental problems of human
  experience. These questions include economic,
  political, social, marriage, and religious
  problems with which humanity is struggling
  apparently in the dark at present. (EAP, 55)

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Char Ed and Assessment

• This includes assessing our students , our
  courses, activities, and ourselves on a
  consistent basis, in a consistent way
• Discipline applied to courses and activities
  impersonal, based on Principle, training which
  instructs
• Instruction and discipline needed to perfect our
  work
• Meeting the need for continued growth and
  improvement

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Policy 11

• The Principia shall seek continuously to improve
  its educational facilities and business practices
  in order to keep abreast of educational progress
  and in key with changing world conditions.
• In its educational methods and business
  practices, The Principia shall make constant
  efforts to lift its standards to the highest
  point that the wisdom and experience of the
  administration, faculty, and staff, and the
  financial resources of the institution will
  permit.

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Workshop

• Adjourn to Dining Room
• Reconvene at 1045

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Workshop

• What is your definition of character education?
• Give an example of character education here at
  Principia
• Identify a new way in which you can enhance your
  work as a character educator
• How can we best share our work in character
  education with others outside Principia?
• Identify ways in which we can seek opportunities
  for character ed
• Identify ways in which we can assess our progress