Character Reflection Journals
All students in grades 1-5 are provided a Character Reflection Journal. Teachers give their students time each week to respond to the following: "This week I best demonstrated (circle one): Caring, Respect, Honesty, Cooperation, or Responsibility." Students also circle the place: Home, School, or Community. The child provides evidence for their answer. Students then set a goal for the next week. After completing the journal, children share their responses during a class meeting. They then take the journal home and dialogue with their parents about their reflection. Parents are asked to sign the journal, noting they have discussed their child's character reflection for the week. Also included in the journal is a monthly calendar. Families are asked to complete at least three activities each week with their child. Examples of activities include: helping to set the table; what would you say to a friend who is being teased?; discuss what cooperation means to you; thank your bus driver. At the end of the month, students return their completed calendar. Students sign their names to a paper shape and parent volunteers display the students' names on a "Character Tree" located in various hallways.