Building Character in Schools: Practical Ways to Bring Moral Instruction to Life

by Kevin Ryan, Karen E. Bohlin

Young people in America today face a crisis of character.Traditional role models continue to disappoint the public, fallingshort of expectations and fostering cynicism rather than idealism.As a result, many young people struggle to distinguish right fromwrong and seem indifferent to whether it matters. It clearlybecomes the task of parents and schools to re-engage the hearts andminds of our children in forming their own characters. In BuildingCharacter in Schools, Kevin Ryan and Karen Bohlin draw from nearlyfifty years of combined field experience to offer a practical guideto character education -- designed to help children to know thegood, love the good, and do the good.

Ryan and Bohlin provide a blueprint for educators who wish totranslate a personal commitment to character education into aschoolwide vision and effort. They outline the principles andstrategies of effective character education and explain whatschools must do to teach students the habits and dispositions thatlead to responsible adulthood -- from developing curriculum thatreinforces good character development to strengthening links withparents. A useful resource section includes sample lessons, programguidelines, and a parents' list of ways to promote character intheir children.

Building Character in Schools clearly defines the responsibilitiesof adults and students in modeling and nurturing character and setsforth practical guidelines for schools seeking to becomecommunities of virtue where responsibility, hard work, honesty, andkindness are modeled, taught, expected, celebrated, and continuallypracticed.

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back when I was teaching, "Values clarification" was thought to be the best tool for resolving "issues" in a non-judgmental framework. It seemed a rather bankrupt approach to me as I have always thought character education was the key to individual growth and, ultimately, school improvement. I still do. And this is an excellent book.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good reminder of the true purpose of education--to make us better people.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read even though it is not the most current book on the topic

[Ted Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Useful resource. I've only got one assign,net left for this class and I'll really miss it. I feel like I learned a great deal & I hope I'll be able to use it to help students this Fall.

[Allison Vanocker · Rating 3 out of 5]

It discusses great ideas, but it is redundant.