Character Animal Hats
Staff at the American School of Brasilia made large animal puppet heads for each character trait so that teachers or students can play the role of one of them during assemblies and other school-wide events. These hats have completely brought the character traits to life, helping the children internalize which animal can help them to be a good friend, or to always do their share, etc. The hats have helped students to see what each value looks like, feels like, and sounds like. Staff refer to the animals as “our friends” and are always asking “Which animal friend do you think we need to ask for some help from?” or “Which animal friend do you think would be really happy with the choice you made?”  Staff feel these questions would not work if they were based on a poster. As a result of the conversations that the animal friends have had with the students, students consider them their friends and think they really are there to help them grow and learn to be kids of character.