With the help of local and state sponsors, 6th grade students from Cullman Middle School are beginning the American Character Program this year. Students will learn civics, history, character, careers and financial literacy in a format that uses excitement as its engagement platform. The lessons are in comic book format and expand into class exercises and activities that have serious impact. After studying the character and impact of historical American figures, they are then challenged to put their own character in action.
At the kickoff event, students were introduced to the program and the service learning component that will empower them to make a difference in their community and beyond. These “#GoodCharacters” projects will see students, along with local mentors, working to solve real issues. And, in the program’s conclusion, they’ll hold a #GoodCharacters Expo where they show off their bright ideas and the big deeds they accomplished.
The middle school program is a continuation of the Super Citizen Program which has inspired and taught similar concepts to many of these students in elementary school.
Take a look at the gallery below!
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- And so the journey begins.
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- Opening the door to a new journey.
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- A little comic book. A big journey.
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- Their American Character story starts here.
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- Every great journey begins with a first step—and a first page.
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- The first chapter starts now.
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- Starting with the Pledge of Allegiance gets us focused on the task at hand!
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- We gave these students a task– can they follow through?
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- They will discover that character is built one choice at a time.
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- Giving it their best shot!
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- These Cullman 6th graders are on their way to becoming #GoodCharacters!
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- Now that’s a team! The challenge grew as students across the room joined together to keep the ball moving. The lesson? When everyone participates, communicates, and works together, there’s no telling what a team can accomplish!
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- Mission– work as a team and don’t drop the ball.
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- We can “keep the ball moving” by working together with our peers and mentors!
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- It takes all of us! What started with two students quickly became an entire community working together to keep the ball moving.
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- Mission– work as a team and don’t drop the ball.
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- Surrounded by mentors as they keep the ball moving!
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- 2 beach balls= 2 times the work, 2 times the community support, and 2 times the fun!
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- Surrounded by mentors as they keep the ball moving!
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- And suddenly, it’s not just a student challenge. Teachers, administrators, mentors, and guests jumped in to help keep the ball moving!
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- Everyone working together can keep the ball moving!
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- Now our students have help! Community leaders help students keep the ball moving!
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- Now our students have help! Community leaders help students keep the ball moving!
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- No sidelines here! Everyone jumped in and helped students keep the ball moving.
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- Every story has people behind it. Thank you, Belinda Hyatt with City of Cullman, Pam Hanners & Anna Dobbs from Redstone Federal Credit Union, along with Lori Williams & Sophie Harrison from Citizens Bank and Trust, for helping make this chapter of our students’ journey possible!