Character education was originally an American movement in the 1980s and was associated with conservative Christian views of citizenship and morality. The movement has changed and broadened its original appeal as a result of a number of social trends that extend beyond the United States. It now has connections to issues of diversity, responsibility, and respect. Recent research about the influences of social and emotional learning are also shaping classroom life. The provincial government and a number of school districts are strongly supporting this aspect of education.
This manual, cross curricular aimed at grades 4-12, recognizes the power of the media in shaping the character of future generations and will help teachers and their students not just mouth the words associated with virtue and "doing the right thing", but practising, debating, and living the good life in a complex, changing, and unpredictable world shaded much more in greys and in simple black and white.
