Character Caroling
The faculty at Imagine South Lake in Clermont, FL posed the question, "What better way to combine character education and the musical arts than to have students engage in Character Caroling during the weeks leading up to the Winter Holidays?" Students in several primary grade classrooms spend many weeks selecting and practicing songs they feel will help their school community gain a sense of caring. For an entire week, these students go from classroom to classroom singing songs of appreciation and encouragement to their peers. They visit over 30 classrooms from K-4 and spend time singing in the halls of the middle school as well. This practice opens doors between age groups by allowing younger students to give back to older students who have previously acted as mentors and teachers to them as well as providing an opportunity for older students to show respect and appreciation for the efforts of these young performers. By creating a common soundtrack for caring and appreciation, Character Caroling has opened doors between age groups at Imagine South Lake.