Learning for Life ~ Rhode Island
Character Education Curriculum
Kindergarten – High School
One facet
of the Learning for Life educational program is the character education
curriculum for students in grades kindergarten through twelve.
This program helps youth develop social and life skills and helps them to
formulate positive personal values. It empowers youth to make ethical decisions
based on positive values and provides them with the skills and information to
cope with the complexities of today’s society. Each level has a grade-specific,
age-appropriate series of lesson plans which employs a variety of teaching
techniques, including role playing, small group discussions, creative
activities, and reflective and dilemma exercises. The lesson plans are
organized around nine (9) general character themes: caring/fairness,
citizenship, courage, honesty/trust, life skills, perseverance, respect,
responsibility, and self-discipline. The goal of the Learning for Life
character education curriculum is to make academic learning fun and relevant to
real-life situations. As a result, students learn positive character traits and
skills, which foster increased confidence and self-sufficiency, as well as an
invaluable understanding of how things work in the real world.
Elementary Program
Starting Out Right!
Learning for Life’s kindergarten through sixth grade curriculum consists of 60 lesson plans per grade level designed to reinforce social, ethical and academic skills. The areas of focus include critical and creative thinking, character-education activities, soft skills, practical living skills, building self- worth, writing and other language arts, and productive citizenship. Each grade level has a student workbook, recognition system, and various supplemental activities, including family activities and the Super Safe interactive CD-ROM game.
Seventh and Eighth Grade – Builders Program
Discovering Careers
The 7th and 8th grade program lesson plans are developed around the student’s sense of self and community awareness. The program introduces community role models to interact with the students and motivate them to investigate areas of interest as possible career paths. The program includes a series of 50 interactive workshops that focus on character, relationships, and citizenship, while introducing students to career possibilities. Youth will develop the personal skills and values needed to make future career choices. The Builders program includes the Life Choices interactive CD-ROM character game.
Senior High School – Navigators Program
Real~World Skills
The senior high school program seeks to guide students in making a successful transition from high school to real-world endeavors, including post-secondary education, acquiring a job, becoming a productive citizen, and maintaining positive relationships with others. The Navigators program features two areas of focus: personal skills (citizenship, ethics, character education, and service to others); and life after high school (career education, college life, and life skills). Thirty-five workshops and activities address these areas of focus. In addition, this program includes the Life Choices interactive CD-ROM character game, as well as leadership development workshops. Career seminars presented by community representatives also provide students with in-depth understanding and firsthand knowledge of different career areas. By linking classroom-based seminars to the worksite-based Exploring program, high schools can help youth make the school-to-career transition a reality.
Champions & Champions Transition Programs
Life Skills
The Champions program teaches students with special needs the life skills they need to achieve self-sufficiency. The lessons focus on the student’s self-concept, personal and social skills, and basic, independent living skills. Due to the varying levels of special needs students, schools can also use all of the Learning for Life curriculum books in the Champions program. The Champions program can be tailored to fit the needs of each individual student or class.
The Champions Transition program is geared toward middle and high school-age special needs youth. This program features lesson plans focusing on managing finances, vocational opportunities, mental skills for good work habits, decision-making skills, planning and preparation, and seeking a job. These programs also include a recognition program for achievement.
Learning For Life ~ Rhode Island