The Archer Street School in Freeport kicked off its annual character education program with a special fourth-grade Character Fair. Students from fourth-grade classes worked together in groups on three different hands-on activities that related to desirable character traits. "We celebrate all character traits, but highlight specific ones. They are Respectfulness, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Fairness and Caring," explained Elizabeth Biscotti, the school's social worker and leader of the program.
The group activities included craft projects such as Citizenship Puzzles, Respect Pennants, Trustworthy Visors and Caring Door Hangers. There were ten workstations in all that explored the variety of positive behaviors. Throughout the year, students focus on these character traits and work to better understand each one. The goal of these exercises is to instill a sense of personal betterment in the students as they advance to their next school. Students in grades K-3 also participated in the program by completing similar activities in their classrooms.
Now in its sixth year, the program creates a fun pathway for learning about ethical characteristics and teaches students why these traits are so important to develop. The activities are appropriately leveled for each grade, with the top step culminating in the fourth-grade fair.