In the classroom -- Figuring out that character counts

Deirdre Newman

It’s hard to resist the temptation of chocolate chip cookies and even

harder to share them.

Students at Adams Elementary School in Costa Mesa learned all about

fairness last week when they presented a play about sharing the chocolaty

treats.

The play enabled the second-graders to become familiar with the

concept of fairness in a fun way as part of the school’s “Character

Counts” campaign. This is the first year the school has embarked on a

comprehensive character campaign, which includes seven different facets

of character.

Teacher Christina Price first discussed fairness with her students,

creating a poster board that hangs in the front of the classroom with

examples like “playing by the rules,” “sharing” and “taking turns.” The

students also wrote and illustrated essays about fairness.

Then Price chose to have the students perform a play to delve a little

deeper into the issue of fairness.

“By acting out a play, students will have fun learning and are more

likely to remember what fairness is all about,” she said.

The play was based on the book “The Doorbell Rang” by Pat Hutchins.

The story is about a family who bakes a batch of chocolate chip cookies

and then is bombarded by neighbors dropping by. To show their fairness,

the family shares the cookies equally with everyone who visits.

Jesse Solis, 8, said he learned a lot about fairness by acting in the

play.

“I learned about sharing and listening to what other people are

saying,” Jesse said, adding that he tries to put that into practice by

not fighting with his family.

Sierra Gordon, 8, said she also gained a valuable lesson.

“I learned you should always give others an equal amount,” Sierra

said. “I try not to give myself more than my sister.”

Price said she has noticed improvement throughout the school as a

result of the “Character Counts” campaign.

“I think it’s just really helped to promote good behavior at our

school. We have had less discipline problems throughout our whole

school,” Price said.

The school will study caring next.

* IN THE CLASSROOM is a weekly feature in which Daily Pilot education

writer Deirdre Newman visits a campus in the Newport-Mesa area and writes

about her experience.