ShareThisWhat stories on the Character Educator blog this year did our readers find to be the most thought-provoking, inspirational, or enjoyable?
We decided to answer that question by looking at which posts had the most Facebook “likes” — not a perfect measure, of course, but these are the posts that you felt worthy of sharing with your friends, family and professional contacts, so that must count for something!
Which was your favorite character education story of 2011?
Top Ten Most “Liked” Character Educator Blog Posts of 2011
#10 – Give the earth a break
In March, millions of people around the world celebrated “Earth Hour” with a commitment to turn off their lights and other electrical appliances for one hour. In the process, they recognized the importance of environmental responsibility and good citizenship.
#9 – A One-of-a-kind find
Barbara Gruener reviewed Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun: Having the Courage to Be Who You Are, a fun picture book that can be used as a tool for teaching younger kids about bullying.
#8 – Children, violence, and ethical video games
In July, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to restrict children’s freedom to buy video games on the basis of extreme violence depicted in the games. Most of readers strongly disagreed with the Court.
TIE: #7/#6 – For both rich kids and poor kids, “What if the secret to success is failure?”
A detailed article in The New York Times profiled two very different NYC high schools and their respective quests to instill good character and future success in their students.
TIE: #7/#6 – TV movie highlights bullying
What happens when the star quarterback finds out his teammates are bullying the new kid? A made-for-TV movie called Field of Vision told the story. Now available in DVD at Wal-Mart.
#5 – Puerto Rican teacher models kindness and caring
As a lesson in caring and kindness to her students, Mrs. Rosario Rivera encouraged her students to make donations to the American Cancer Society (total = $32), and then donated her long hair to make wigs for chemotherapy patients. Mrs. Rivera is one of hundreds of elementary school teachers who schools use Tus Valores Cuentan , the version of CHARACTER COUNTS! implemented in Puerto Rico.
#4 – Decrease Bullying by Increasing Empathy
Regular readers know that the CC! approach to reducing bullying emphasizes creating a school culture of kindness, caring, and empathy. This post summarizes recent psychological research that backs up this approach. Did you know that if you’ve recently experienced social exclusion yourself, you’re more likely to stick up for others around you are being bullied or left out?
#3 – Dalai Lama urges ethics education in America
In an address in May in New Jersey, the Buddhist leader cited the need for the teaching of secular ethics in school. By secular ethics, he explained, he did not mean disrepect for religion, but respect for all religions and for non-believers. Dialogue, forgiveness, and fairness were among the values he emphasized.
#2 – Teaching kids to care for animals and for one another
Readers loved this interview with Dr. Kris Haley, a veterinarian and educator for the Arizona Humane Society who weaves CHARACTER COUNTS! into her lessons for kids about humane treatment of animals. She sees strong connections between efforts against bullying and against cruelty to animals.
#1 – Photographer stands up to bullies
It wasn’t even close. The runaway favorite story of the year was about independent portrait photographer Jen McKendrick, who defined what it means NOT to be a bystander. When she found out that three of her scheduled clients, seniors in high school, were bullying fellow students in public on Facebook, she canceled their sessions, and explained why to their parents. “I don’t photograph ugly people,” Jen said, noting that, to her, ugliness comes from a person’s attitudes and actions, not from their looks. Jen’s actions generated a firestorm of publicity and appreciation from parents, teens, and formerly bullied people all over the country.
So that was 2011! Did your favorite character education story make the list?
