Sixth graders kick off American Character program
RUSSELLVILLE Middle school sixth graders took part in the kickoff event of this semester’s Liberty Learning Foundation’s American Character Program.
Students will learn civics, history, character lessons and career and financial literacy. The lessons are in comic book format and expand into class exercises and activities. After studying the character and impact of historical American figures, they will be challenged to put their own character into action.
Students were introduced to the program and the service-learning component that’s meant to empower them to make a difference in their communities by working to solve real-life issues.
RMS Principal Dr. Monica Moon said the kickoff went “really well.”
“Our students were excited, and you could feel their energy in the room,” Moon said. “It was a great way to introduce the program and get everyone thinking about what’s ahead.”
Moon said the program is more than just learning history, it’s about learning to be a good citizen.
“It’s about living it out every day through their choices, their words and their actions,” she continued.
She said she feels the program is important for RMS students.
“We put a lot of focus on academics, but also on who our students are becoming as people,” Moon said. “This program ties right into that — it helps build character and connects back to the values we want to see in our students.”
Moon said she “really loved” the way the kickoff presentation highlighted the value of working as a team.
“That message connects so strongly to our own traditions at RMS and to the core values we talk about every day.” “It reminded our students that when we come together and support one another, we can accomplish so much more.”
“It’s about planting the idea of leadership and responsibility now, so as they grow, they carry those habits with them into high school and beyond,” she said.
RMS students were first introduced to the program while at West Elementary through the Super Citizen program. The middle school program is a continuation.
“This is our first year to do a kickoff with sixth grade,” Moon said, “but with the recent update to the social studies standards, it felt like the perfect time to bring civics to life for our youngest middle schoolers. We’ll also continue the service-learning program that has always been a big part of seventh grade.”
The program lasts through the semester.
