“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” – R.J. Palacio, Wonder

Every day, our students start the day by saying our school pledge and singing “A Kid For Character.” This semester, our first grade class created a music video to learn more about the words in the song.

While singing “A Kid For Character” with her class, our first grade teacher, Ms. Jessie Bean, realized that most of the words in the song were very abstract and did not have much meaning for her students. What better way to teach her students the meaning of responsibility, character, fairness, truth, respect, care, and citizen than by creating a music video?

All 26 first grade students played a role in the production of the video. They first brainstormed the concept for the video, determining what imagery best portrayed the key words in the song. The class was divided into groups to discuss the visuals needed for the video and how to best define their key words (responsibility, character, fairness, truth, respect, care, and citizen). The groups then set out to capture images for their key words and show how to be a kid for character.

After Ms. Bean captured the images and video recordings, the students practiced singing the song. Ms. Bean then recorded the first grade class singing”A Kid For Character.” Each student participated in splicing the video together with the various images and recordings. The teamwork and collaboration among the students led to the creation of an amazing music video!

“A Kid For Character”

I’m a kid for character,
I’m a kid for character.

I am worthy of trust.
I’m respectable and responsible,
Doing what I must.

I’m a kid for character,
I’m a kid for character.

I will always act for fairness.
I will show that I care.
I will be a good citizen,
and always do my share.

I’m a kid for character,
I’m a kid for character.

Even our youngest students are learning and implementing our school-wide values known as C.A.R.E.S. (cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control).

Learn more about C.A.R.E.S

 

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