Character Lab

www.characterlab.org

Character is the intentions and actions that benefit both the individual and others.  

Why character?

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” Our goal is to make this vision a reality.

Our research has demonstrated that character is plural, encompassing a multitude of strengths that are organized into three dimensions: Interpersonal strengths, like gratitude, enable harmonious relationships with other people; intrapersonal strengths, like grit and self-control, enable achievement; and intellectual strengths, like curiosity, enable a fertile and free life of the mind.

Character Strengths Labels

Strengths of Will:  These are the “intrapersonal” or “doing” strengths.  They help you achieve your goals.

Strengths of Mind:  These are the “intellectual or “thinking” strengths.  They help you ponder, wonder, and create.

Strengths of Heart:  These are the “interpersonal” or “giving” strengths.  They help you relate in positive ways to other people.

This quotation is from James Baldwin. It reminds us that if we want to develop character in students, we might first practice it ourselves: “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”

(All of the above information is from the Character Lab website.)

The foundation of the guidance curriculum and the Social and Emotional Learning in Frisco ISD this year will focus on the nine character strengths found in the Character Lab curriculum.

Creativity is thinking of novel solutions.

Proactivity means taking initiative.

Honesty is telling, and not hiding, the truth.

Kindness means using actions or speech intended to help others.

Self-control means doing what's best despite short-term temptations.

Emotional Intelligence is understanding your feelings and using them wisely.

Grit is passion and perseverance for long-term goals.

Judgement means getting as close as possible to the best answer.

Gratitude is appreciating what you've been given.