Digging Deeper: Middle Years Character Formation
Imagine Schools, a national family of 73 public charter schools in 12 states and Washington DC, serves 40,000 students in grades pre-K through 12. Time and time again our educators have asked for assistance in teaching character traits to one of the most challenging developmental groups - middle school students. Lessons created to teach about character traits and virtues at the elementary level are no longer relevant to teens, who find themselves in the midst of everyday situations that require them to apply their understanding of the traits learned in the elementary years. Adolescents need guidance and modeling from trusted adults on topics of relevance to their circumstances and daily life experiences. After years of listening, followed by a period of research and study, we created our own curriculum for middle school character development. The curriculum, Digging Deeper: Character Formation for the Middle Years, includes six units of study: Teamwork & Trust; Leadership & Service; Heroes; Friendship; Decision-Making; and Responsibility & Citizenship. Enduring understandings and essential questions frame each of the lessons, discussions, and activities for each of the six units.