Character Education

Overview

Character is essential. Individuals that posses character are far more likely to achieve long term success in life. At The Appletree School, we have embraced our responsibility to teach character to the next generation. While many schools rely on teachers to create and model their own lessons in character, we use a comprehensive curriculum that provides structure, consistency and high quality lesson plans. In the same way an academic curriculum is used to teach academics, our character curriculum provides a developmentally challenging plan to encourage strong values in our students. We invite you to learn more about our approach to character education, and to join us in training children who can make a positive impact on our world.

Our Beliefs

Character development is essential to attaining long term success in life.
Character cannot be learned alone; it must be instilled by men & women who already have it.
Character development can be significantly enhanced by using a well built structured curriculum.

Character & Etiquette

Our program covers many subject areas related to character. Children in each age level study developmentally appropriate and challenging topics in the subject areas below.

Servant Leadership
Ethics
Etiquette
Decision Making

Stewardship
Determination
Teamwork
Service

Within each of the subject areas above, teachers cover a variety of topics that help children build character. Some of these topics are direct skills students can learn and apply (e.g. answering the phone properly), while other topics are focused on helping students develop the skills required to make wise decisions. Some example topics include:

How and why we shake hands
Introducing a friend to another person or group
Correct ways to set a table
Showing respect to other people
Understanding when and when not to share

In addition, the school as a whole focuses on two values each month. Children participate in projects, group discussions, story times & dramatic play to help reinforce the truth of these values.

January: Caring and Patience		July: Citizenship and Loyalty
February: Love and Honesty		August: Cooperation and Initiative
March: Kindness and Forgiveness		September: Respect and Attentiveness
April: Courage and Tolerance		October: Sharing and Self-control
May: Helpfulness and Perseverance		November: Thankfulness and Responsibility
June: Politeness and Neatness		December: Joyfulness and Wisdom

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Mahatma Gandhi