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Our Last Best Shot
An Excerpt
By Laura Sessions Stepp
This is particularly true in the middle grades, when young adolescents are beginning to actively define the moral principles by which they will live. At this age they are able not only to grasp concepts of right and wrong but also, for the first time, to detect exceptions, inconsistencies and conflicts among competing viewpoints.
Getting along with others, or doing the right thing, can be tough in their world, which is considerably harsher, with more obvious temptations than the world many of their parents knew. Sassy attitudes are in, as are at least a passing knowledge of where to acquire drugs or cigarettes. The language they hear from adults is rough, the images ugly: athletes talking trash, talk show guests throwing chairs at each other, parents arguing in the car at aggressive drivers.
And yet it is not difficult to persuade them to care for each other. Cactuses on the outside, inside they want more than anything to be liked by other kids. Earlier they were good because of what was in it for them now they want others to respect them, and they want to respect themselves. Educators and parents can seize this opportunity to inspire and teach humane values.
Currently, many teachers are trying to do this. Some of them are caught up in moral training known as character education, teaching specific curriculum in core values. But as Jessica's year illustrated, character education is less about lessons taught than lessons obseved. Character is learned when kids feel their viewpoints are sought and respected.