Overview of Character-Based Citizenship
Character-based citizenship^® isn’t learned through a textbook or in just one class, but is something that is developed through students’ entire school and community experience.

In Elementary School, young children learn BEHAVIORS that prepare them to be individually successful and begin to understand the basics for how to get along with others. In Middle School, youth cultivate HABITS that build a consistent foundation from which they can begin to acquire new abilities. In High School, youth practice SKILLS that engage them as responsible leaders in their schools and communities. Finally, Adults model ACTIONS that describe active, competent and committed citizens.

Introduction to Elementary Scorecard for Results
Character-based approaches call for school staffs to work differently, with an emphasis on getting agreement on vision and strategies. Effective change also takes a whole-school approach.

In this session, participants will work through a model for initiating “same page dialogues.” With lessons and approaches borrowed from business, this session will help participants begin to identify an action plan for moving forward, in six areas critical to school reform.

Positive Leadership - Working with Different Personalities
Participants will learn the importance of positivity and other essential leadership skills, how to reframe negative language with positive words and phrases, as well as understanding of the connection between teaching character and modeling positive leadership.

This module will also review the stages of development and how this affects our own personal development and that of our students and peers. Lastly, participants will learn their personality style and how this affects how they work with peers.

Reading Takes Character ~ Curriculum Connections
Participants will be introduced to the Free to Learn curriculum, Reading Takes Character ~ Connections for K - 6th Grade, learn how the Six Core Character Traits fit into the state-adopted curriculum, and learn additional methods for integrating character into their classroom.
*Modules in Open Court Reading 2002 and Houghton Mifflin Reading offered

Building Respectful Relationships and Collaboration through Effective Communication
This module examines elements that contribute to school site culture and the skills and strategies to address one of them: effective communication. Participants will gain an understanding of the tremendous power of listening and will explore how their own communication style and skills can impact character, strengthen agreements, enable constructive conflict resolution, and further collaboration at their own school sites.

Free to Learn In Action
Participants will hear from several schools currently implementing Free to Learn. Strategies for implementation will be shared, as well as successes at their school site. There will be Q&A time with each school. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn concrete ideas that can be implemented tomorrow!