Award-Winning Character Education Curriculum

At Japhet School character education is integrated into everything we do. We don’t have “character class,” a character “expert,” or 20-minute insertions of character-building activities that are separated from academics. Rather, the expression of good character and use of a common language is at the heart of our school climate, and the teaching of character is integrated into the daily lessons crafted by our nurturing teachers.

Although each month has a focus on a specific quality, a schoolwide emphasis on expressing good character – in our thoughts, words, and actions – occurs in every class, every day.

Each quality is defined with a set of specific “action statements” that help students put good character into practice, resulting in positive citizenship at home, at school, and in the community.

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Our 18 Character Qualities

Initiative
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Do useful things without being asked.
- Think of original solutions to problems that will help others.
… and six more specific action statements for initiative

Courage
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Confront wrong thinking, acting, and speaking in myself and others.
- Persevere in my search for knowledge and avoid whatever would try to stop me.
… and five more specific action statements for courage

Gratitude
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Take opportunities to acknowledge the good around me through spoken and written words of gratitude.
- Express gratitude for my education, my school, and my teachers.
… and five more specific action statements for gratitude

Obedience
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Obey the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
- Be respectful when I disagree with a rule or request, and resolve disagreements peacefully.
… and four more specific action statements for obedience

Punctuality
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Begin my work promptly when it is assigned.
- Turn in my papers and projects exactly at the time they are required.
… and four more specific action statements for punctuality

Justice
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Distinguish between right and wrong, and support the right.
- Express fairness in my dealings with others.
… and six more specific action statements for justice

Respect for Self
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Be true to myself and my standards in everything I do.
- Realize my ability to make a difference in the world by the way I act and treat others.
… and eight more specific action statements for respect for self

Respect for Others
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Be open-minded and receptive to new people, different ideas and experiences that are not familiar to me.
- Never gossip.
… and seven more specific action statements for respect for others

Self-Control
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Always use language that is respectful to others.
- Channel frustration into acceptable forms of expression, using them to bring about positive change and progress.
… and four more specific action statements for self-control

Reliability
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Do right when I am alone and there is no one to tell me what to do, as well as do right when others are with me.
- Not take any thing, credit, or opportunity belonging to someone else.
… and three more specific action statements for reliability

Judgment
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Tell my teacher and/or parents what I do not know so that I may be helped.
- Act wisely with regard to my own and others’ safety.
… and five more specific action statements for judgment

Patriotism
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Know my country’s history, patriots, and heritage of freedom.
- Be conscious of what is currently taking place in my country and the world.
… and six more specific action statements for patriotism

Joy
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Find pleasure in the completion of jobs well done.
- Rejoice with others in their victories and success.
… and six more specific action statements for joy

Industry
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Promptly find another task when one is finished.
- Put aside mental laziness and apathy that can dull my joy of learning and hinder my expression of academic excellence.
… and four more specific action statements for industry

Humility
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Be modest rather than boastful when I have excelled.
- Be teachable and willing to learn from those who have more wisdom and experience than I have.
… and four more specific action statements for humility

Peace
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Seek opportunities to be kind.
- Work cooperatively with others seeking peaceful solutions to conflict.
… and six more specific action statements for peace

Thrift
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Not waste time.
- Save something -- time, money, expense, material, etc. -- each week in a form that is tangible and recognizable.
… and four more specific action statements for thrift

Personal Habits
I will earnestly and without reservation strive to:
- Encourage clean-thinking and clean-speaking in others.
- Keep in a neat and orderly condition my room at home.
… and seven more specific action statements for personal habits

Japhet School’s Character Quality Curriculum is copyrighted material.

© Japhet School.