Whatever grade or subject matter, we teach character not only by curriculum but by the relationships we cultivate with and between students.  If we’re impatient and authoritative, students can be intimidated or rebellious.  When we’re kind and flexible, they can grow individually and together.

Of course, the content of their studies contributes to the content of their characters,and classrooms are ripe with opportunities for students to learn the qualities and consequences of good character through subject matter.  From social-emotional development to the study of historic, scientific and literary characters, the content is inexhaustible.

For preschool through later adolescence, PBS LearningMedia is a rich resource to search out content on “character”— where you’ll find close to 2,000 entries that can be filtered by content, grade and resource type.