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Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms

Positive psychology meets K-12 pedagogy. This course explores key ideas of positive psychology and shows how great teachers apply those lessons to maximize student engagement and accomplishment. Through lectures, discussions, interviews and footage of great educators in action, you’ll learn how to integrate character-based objectives into your own teaching.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Your Character Journey

Let's begin with an exploration of our own strengths of character... we all have them!

The Science of Character

This module explores the research base that supports the teaching of character.

Teaching Character in Every Moment

Character education starts with an intentional approach to every human-to-human interaction.

Macro Structures

Create a plan for teaching character and then work every day to make it happen.

Talking About Character Growth

No one ever masters something like grit or gratitude; the goal is to integrate those lessons into our daily lives.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Straightforwardly conveys principles and theories in positive psychology and how these may be applied in education

Incorporates teaching strategies and methods rooted in character-based instruction, making it beneficial for educators seeking to create a positive and engaging learning environment

Suitable for educators looking to explore and integrate positive psychology concepts into their teaching practices, making this course particularly relevant for K-12 teachers

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Reviews summary

Inspiring and practical education theory on character building

Learners say this engaging, inspiring course is well-structured and informative, and it offers practical advice for teaching character and creating positive classrooms. The latest research and expert interviews are presented in a manageable workload alongside clear explanations and case studies. According to students, this course is suitable for educators of all levels.

Course is suitable for educators of all levels.

"I would recommend this course for any teachers at any level or course in K-12."

Expert interviews provide valuable insights.

"The interviews with resource persons are very useful in helping us to get an insight into the methodology to be adopted by us for character building."

Practical advice in manageable format.

"It is a good balance of theory, research and practical advice."

"The course load is manageable with a full time job."

Content is presented in a logical structure.

"The content is presented in a logical structure just like any lesson we teach to our students."

Course content is inspiring and practical.

"This is a great, short course which will make you think about your teaching in a new way."

"This course helps me understand why grit and character is important as a teacher."

"I am so impressed with the content Dave and the TA team has pulled together."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms with these activities:

Review positive psychology

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Review key concepts of positive psychology to refresh and reinforce your understanding of the foundations of this field.

Browse courses on Positive Psychology

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Identify key theorists and their contributions
Summarize the core principles of positive psychology
Reflect on how these principles have been applied in practice

Read StrengthsFinder 2.0

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Gain insights into identifying and developing your character strengths, providing a foundation for applying positive psychology principles in your teaching.

View Strengths Finder 2.0: Discover Your... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book
Read the book and take notes on key concepts
Reflect on how you can apply these concepts in your teaching

Connect with experienced educators in character education

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Seek guidance from experienced educators who have successfully implemented character education programs, gaining valuable insights and practical advice.

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Identify potential mentors through professional networks or online platforms
Reach out to mentors and request guidance on character education
Schedule regular meetings or engage in online discussions

Five other activities

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Learn about character strengths assessment

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Explore tools and techniques for assessing character strengths, equipping you with practical methods for identifying and developing strengths in both yourself and your students.

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Discover different assessment tools available
Complete a character strengths assessment
Interpret your results and identify areas for growth

Practice mindfulness exercises

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Develop mindfulness skills through regular practice, enhancing your ability to promote well-being and resilience in your students.

Browse courses on Mindfulness

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Learn different mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing
Set aside a specific time each day for mindfulness practice
Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your daily routine

Participate in peer feedback on character-based lesson plans

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Engage with peers to provide and receive constructive feedback on character-based lesson plans, refining your approaches and enhancing the quality of your teaching.

Show steps

Share your lesson plan with peers
Provide feedback on others' lesson plans, focusing on character integration
Incorporate feedback into your own lesson plan

Develop a lesson plan integrating character education

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Apply your understanding of positive psychology to create a lesson plan that effectively incorporates character education principles, promoting student engagement and personal growth.

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Select a topic that aligns with character education objectives
Identify specific character strengths to focus on
Design engaging activities that foster character development

Volunteer in a youth development program

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Put your knowledge of positive psychology into practice by volunteering in a youth development program, gaining hands-on experience in fostering character growth and resilience in young people.

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Research and identify youth development programs in your area
Contact the organizations and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend training and orientation sessions
Engage in meaningful interactions with youth, supporting their character development

Career center

Learners who complete Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Teacher

As a Teacher, you will be responsible for educating and inspiring students in a variety of subjects. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Teacher. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to teach character-based objectives, and how to assess student learning. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Teacher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

School Counselor

As a School Counselor, you will work with students, parents, and teachers to provide academic, social, and emotional support. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective School Counselor. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive school environment, how to counsel students on a variety of issues, and how to collaborate with parents and teachers to support student success. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a School Counselor.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor

Educational Administrator

As an Educational Administrator, you will be responsible for overseeing the operation of a school or school district. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Administrator. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive school environment, how to manage school finances, and how to lead and motivate staff. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Educational Administrator.

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Curriculum Developer

As a Curriculum Developer, you will be responsible for developing and implementing curriculum for schools. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Curriculum Developer. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to develop engaging and effective curriculum, and how to assess student learning. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Curriculum Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

As an Instructional Designer, you will be responsible for designing and developing instructional materials for schools. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Instructional Designer. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to design engaging and effective instructional materials, and how to assess student learning. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Instructional Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Educational Psychologist

As an Educational Psychologist, you will work with students, parents, and teachers to provide academic, social, and emotional support. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Psychologist. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive learning environment, how to counsel students on a variety of issues, and how to collaborate with parents and teachers to support student success. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Educational Psychologist.

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Educational Researcher

As an Educational Researcher, you will conduct research to improve the teaching and learning process. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Educational Researcher. You will learn how to design and conduct research studies, how to analyze data, and how to disseminate your findings. This course will also help you to develop your own character as an Educational Researcher.

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Nonprofit Manager

As a Nonprofit Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing the operation of a nonprofit organization. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Nonprofit Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to manage nonprofit finances, and how to lead and motivate staff. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Nonprofit Manager.

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Social Worker

As a Social Worker, you will work with individuals, families, and communities to provide social and emotional support. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Social Worker. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive environment, how to counsel individuals and families on a variety of issues, and how to advocate for social justice. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Social Worker.

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Public Health Educator

As a Public Health Educator, you will work with communities to promote health and prevent disease. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Public Health Educator. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive environment, how to develop and implement public health programs, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of those programs. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Public Health Educator.

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Human Resources Manager

As a Human Resources Manager, you will be responsible for managing the human resources function of an organization. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Human Resources Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to recruit and hire staff, and how to manage employee benefits. This course will also help you to develop your own character as a Human Resources Manager.

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Sales Manager

As a Sales Manager, you will be responsible for leading and motivating a sales team. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Sales Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement sales strategies, and how to manage a sales team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as a Sales Manager.

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Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Marketing Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement marketing strategies, and how to manage a marketing team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as a Marketing Manager.

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Public relations manager

As a Public Relations Manager, you will be responsible for managing the public relations function of an organization. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Public Relations Manager. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement public relations campaigns, and how to manage a public relations team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as a Public Relations Manager.

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Event Planner

As an Event Planner, you will be responsible for planning and executing events. This course may help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective Event Planner. You will learn how to create a positive and supportive work environment, how to develop and implement event plans, and how to manage an event team. This course may also help you to develop your own character as an Event Planner.

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Reading list

We've selected 19 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms .

Narnian Virtues

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This guide provides practical advice and strategies for teaching character in the classroom. It covers topics such as creating a positive learning environment, developing character-building activities, and assessing student progress.

Narnian Virtues: Building Good Character with C.S....

Kindle Edition

Generating Generosity in Catholicism and Islam

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This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of character strengths and virtues, including their definitions, development, and measurement. It valuable resource for educators looking to incorporate character education into their teaching.

Teaching Character and Creating Positive Classrooms

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Inspiring and practical education theory on character building

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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