Character education is an integral part of any middle school curriculum, as it helps students develop the skills and attitudes they need to be successful in school and life. One of the best ways to incorporate character education into your middle school lesson planning is to modify your curriculum to include activities and exercises promoting character development.
One way to do this is to focus on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards for your subject area. These standards provide a clear framework for what students should know and be able to do in each subject and can be used to guide your lesson planning. For example, suppose you are teaching English Language Arts. In that case, you can use the TEKS reading, writing, and language standards to create lessons that promote character development through literature and writing prompts.
Another way to incorporate character education into your middle school lesson planning is through differentiated learning. Differentiated learning is a teaching approach that recognizes that students learn differently and that teachers should adjust their instruction to meet the needs of each student. This can include using different teaching methods, materials, and assessments to cater to different learning styles, abilities, and interests. For example, you can use group work, independent study, and hands-on activities to give your students various learning opportunities.
Using a modified curriculum is also a powerful tool for incorporating character education into your lesson planning in middle school. A modified curriculum is a way of adapting the curriculum to meet the needs of specific students or groups of students. This can include modifying the curriculum to meet the needs of students with disabilities or the needs of English language learners.
For example, you can use the modified curriculum to create a reading group for students struggling with reading comprehension or a writing group for students interested in creative writing. By providing these students with the opportunity to learn in a way that is tailored to their specific needs, you can help them develop character skills such as perseverance, self-discipline, and a positive attitude toward learning.
Incorporating character education into your middle school lesson planning can also positively impact student achievement. Studies have shown that students who participate in character education programs have better academic outcomes than those who do not and are more likely to graduate from high school. Additionally, students participating in character education programs are less likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as substance abuse, and are more likely to be active community members.
In conclusion, incorporating character education into your middle school lesson planning is essential to helping students develop the skills and attitudes they need to succeed in school and life. By focusing on the TEKS standards, using differentiated learning, modifying curriculum, and providing opportunities for students to develop character skills, you can help students achieve academic success and become responsible, contributing members of society.
Additionally, Laddering Your Success’ Being-Knowing-Doing methodology holistically develops the students in the classroom to create life-long learners ready to take on the world.
Suppose this proves difficult for you on all your lesson plans. In that case, Laddering Your Success has already developed a user-friendly lesson plan app enabling you to complete your lesson plans and assignments in 30 to 50 percent less time. Check out the resource here.
