Character Strong

Character Strong (also called PurposeFull People) is a social-emotional learning program that was implemented very successfully in the Lower and Beginning School last year and is now being expanded into our Middle and Upper School. The program focuses on monthly character traits designed to help students learn to Be Kind, Be Well, and Be Strong. Research over the last two decades shows that the explicit teaching of social skills and competencies leads to improvements in academic performance, student conduct, prosocial behaviors, positive mental health, and college readiness and success.

During the week before school, the Lower and Beginning School teachers participated in an excellent workshop run by a trainer from Character Strong. One of the activities was called “What’s your one word?” which focused on the need for students to feel valued and liked by their teacher in order for them to feel safe at school and be successful. The word cloud here is the result of the teachers' “one word” for how we would like students to feel when they enter our buildings.

Throughout the program here at TMS, we will focus on different character traits. These traits were chosen because they are recognized as traits that are helpful in developing children who thrive in all environments. The year starts with the trait of Respect, and follows with Responsibility, Gratitude, Empathy, Perseverance, Honesty, Cooperation, Courage, and Creativity. Teachers have long taught respect and responsibility at the beginning of the school year as they go over school rules and expectations, so they are a natural fit for August and September. Several of these traits are also recognized as being important by author and educator Dr. Michele Borba in her book Thrivers. Dr. Borba was a keynote speaker that came and presented to all faculty and staff before the school year began.

One of the main strengths of the program is that it is designed to be flexible and includes a wide variety of suggested books and activities. Each trait has several grade-level appropriate and well-regarded children’s books that the teacher may read throughout the month. Examples for the Respect trait include Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes, Do Unto Otters by Laurie Keller, What if Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernick, A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon, Howard P. Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship by Howard Binkow, Whoever You Are by Mem Fox, and The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi. Interesting question prompts, pictures, songs, and games are also available to engage students in the topic. Each trait also has a handout for parents with suggestions for exploring the topic at home, or an article to read such as this one: www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/positive/how-to-raise-a-respectful-child/

In Lower School, teachers may choose to use PurposeFull people 5-10 minutes per day in their classroom or may include it as one longer 30-40 minute lesson during their week, or as a lesson from the school counselor. In all divisions, the character traits are woven into the fabric of the school day and are applied to situations organically.

So far, the students have been enjoying the program and activities, giving us a great start to the year!

Laura Kennedy
Lower School Director
and TMS Administration