Character Education and YA Novels

Paper Summary:

This paper heralds the use of young adult (YA) literature as a partner with student-based discussion to teach Character Education ideals. It examines how learners targeted by this approach are struggling readers who need the hook of characters similar to themselves and high interest subjects to engage in the process of reading. Reading a book of substance takes the reader through thousands of decisions they may face in their life. It emphasizes the importance of factors in facilitating productive group discussion, such as preparation, monitoring and student responsibility and how student-centered discussions are based on situations in the Young Adult literature that emulate good character or strike controversy concerning moral action.

From the Paper:

"Character Education is here to stay. It is obvious that the teaching of value systems needs a fresh approach. Julian Thompson (1995) stated, "In any case, regardless of our feelings about young people's characters (or value systems) nowadays, there's no denying that they could be better" (p. 2). Realizing this to be true, I made an abrupt change in my attitude toward Character Education, and I made my classroom a permanent destination for the Character Education train. Thompson (1995) supports that English teachers are best equipped to teach Character Education. "They know (of course) that literature is concerned with human behavior, and that when kids begin discussing the various behaviors of people in stories, plays and novels they're reading for English, they are at least noticing the values that these characters are embracing or rejecting" (p. 3). "

More papers on Character Education and YA Novels:

• Research Paper # 96185 : "Character Education and Diversity"
• Research Proposal # 148978 : "Elementary School Character Education Curriculum"
• Research Proposal # 91869 : "Character Education "

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