WOW - What a rigorous discussion this morning with all of you at Evergreen? This is the exact same thing we want to have when we engage with students. Shelley Wagner's question about feelings versus traits (great thought, here is a list that define character traits - how would feelings versus interests versus traits be different?) I loved all of the questions this morning --- this truly was exciting professional development to me. Thanks Jackie for spurring our deep conversation regarding character traits. Here are some resources for everyone that were shared at the meeting.
Character traits have in common particular elements. We do not attempt to list them all, but you will want to make note of five major similarities:
The FIVE Bolded ones seem to be easier to begin with in elementary school.
1. Understanding flowing into desire and then action. All character traits are built intellectually first. We must understand the trait. Understanding flows into desire for the trait. Desire leads to action as we begin to exercise the trait consistently.
2. Assumption of personal sacrifice if necessary. The exercise of any character trait may require known or unknown personal sacrifice. We must be willing to relegate personal interests to second place in order to exercise character rightly.
3. Acceptance of consequences beforehand. In the exercise of any character trait, we can expect consequences: pleasant or unpleasant. We must choose, even before we exercise the trait, to accept the consequences, whatever they may be.
4. Constancy even when no one observes. Character traits can never be exercised for the benefit of spectators. The nature of character traits is such that they must be exercised faithfully, whether or not anyone is observing.
5. Inability to cancel out another trait. No one character trait ever cancels out another character trait. They are never mutually exclusive. That is, one never excludes or precludes another. Example: Tactfulness can never cancel out honesty.
Every definition below includes those five elements by default. You will want to add them to your study of a specific character trait.
Click here for more informaiton: http://character-in-action.com/character-trait-definitions/
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