The effects of character education on the behavior of 5th grade students

<p>The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of using character education lessons to (a) decrease negative behaviors and (b) increase positive behaviors. Three character education lessons were taught over the period of one school week. Students completed reading, writing, and listening activities both collaboratively and independently. The focuses of these lessons were: listening to others, understanding point of view, and controlling anger. The informants for this study included the whole class (14 students) as well as three focus students who often exhibited bullying behavior. Observations were recorded and surveys were completed both prior to the lessons and following the lessons. Interviews were additionally used for the focus group. Data was analyzed through the use of coding in which five codes emerged: aggressive behavior, refusal to cooperate, name-calling, social isolation, and helping others. The frequencies of these behaviors in the three sources of data were compared from before the implementation of the lessons to after. The results of this study have shown that the use of character education lessons in a classroom during a one week period can decrease negative behavior and increase positive behavior.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. in Teaching

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education

Year dc:date.available

2008

Author dc:creator

• Oxenberg, Lisa

Contributors dc:contributor

• McBee, Robin Haskell

• Fifth grade (Education); Moral education (Elementary)
• Elementary Education and Teaching

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/705

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1740