Character Education Programs

Every teacher is interested in activities that develop good character and improve life skills for their students. The following programs are available for McLean County teachers and 4-H and other youth groups through the generosity of the University of Illinois Extension, McLean County. There is no charge for the use of these programs.

• Character Counts - designed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, this multi-level, age-group specificprogram is designed to meet the needs of students preschool through high school. Studentsuse the "SixPillars of Character" (Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship) to learn, strengthen and reinforce good character development.
• Talking With TJ: Leadership Series & Teamwork Series - both programs include student materials and videos to develop leadership and teamwork in elementary age students.
• Welcome to theReal World!- Junior and senior high students simualte the challenges of life in the world by exploring career opportunities, make budget choices and lifestyle choices similar to those adults face on a daily basis.
• Operation Safe Kids - designed for children age 8 - 10, this program uses hands-on lessons to teach personal safety, confidence building, how to get along with others, handling emergencies and first aid, kitchen safety and nutritious snacks and ways to cope with loneliness and boredom.

All of these programs are free to teachers and youth group leaders in McLean County through the generosity of the University of Illinois Extension, McLean County.