What specific activities can you utilize to connect the students with this focus?
Debates and discussion stimulate students to think critically about morality. Critical thinking is essential to help students develop a personal moral code. Introducing an ethical debate or discussion at least once a week about a current event is a good way to encourage the class to think critically about honesty.
Direct quotations about this specific quality that support your conclusions
You really need to consider the message you're sending this boys by ending the lockout. it's the same message that we as a culture send to our professional athletes; and that is that they are above the law. If these boys cannot honor the simple rules of a basketball contract, how long do you think it will be before they're out there breaking the law?"
Coach Ken Carter, "Coach Carter" (2005).
Provide an example of a current or retired coach that you feel exemplifies the specific quality of character in the way he or she runs their program.
The real-life Coach Carter, the coach played by Samuel L. Jackson in the 2005 of the same name, is an excellent example of a coach of character. He was so determined that the young men he coached have a better life after they stopped playing basketball, he would not let them play even the most crucial game if their GPAs fell beneath a certain standard.
If you are able to provide examples from three different levels (secondary, college, and professional) you will be rewarded
Coach Carter realized that secondary school students should be students first, basketball players second. Duke Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski is as proud of his athlete's graduation college record as he is of their winning seasons. and, on a professional level, coaching great Vince Lombardi made the Green Bay Packers legendary in the league, training his players with grueling practice schedules, inspirational words, and hard but always fair discipline. People are willing to accept hardship to reach a goal,...
Many-time winner of the Boston Marathon, Bill Rogers, is not only a great runner but still continues to promote the sport and running for young people, not simply try to cash in on his name. Lance Armstrong's openness about his battle with cancer inspired millions to 'live strong.' And the quiet dignity of Yankee Derek Jeter, who plays well, but always admits to the camera when the team could have done better, continues to stand above the fray of the current steroids controversy.
How would you be able to assess the success of your focus on this specific quality of character?
Ultimately, although the teacher can foster the quality of honesty within his or her students, the true testing ground or assessment is within the student's own soul. The student must make ethical decisions and uphold the value of honesty, not just during the time he or she is under the teacher's care, but for the years to come, in school, and in life. A teacher can begin the process of injecting ethics into a student's education, but the student must make this subject a continuing life study.
Works Cited
Anderson, Dave. "All Roads Lead to Lombardi." The New York Times. 20 Jan 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/sports/football/20anderson.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin
Coach Carter." Samuel L. Jackson. 2005. "Honesty." Merriam-Webster. 20 Jan 2008. http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/honesty
Mike Krzyzewski." Duke University Men's Basketball. 20 Jan 2008. http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22725&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=152844&Q_SEASON=2007
Levitt, Stephen. "Honest workers or thieves? Take the bagel test."
23 Jun 2005. 20 Jan 2008. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,7-1664577_2,00.html
