Character Education

What is Character Education?

‘Character education is about helping students grasp what is ethically important in situations and how to act for the right reasons.  Students need to decide wisely the kind of person they wish to become.  In this process, the ultimate aim of character education is the development of good sense, or practical wisdom; the capacity to choose intelligently between alternatives.’ A Framework for Character Education in Schools’ Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues (2017)

Wintershall’s Virtues Enquiry Through Drama brings education to life using beautifully filmed scenes from ‘The Life of Christ’ production, actor viewpoint clips, a stunning collection of photographs and much more. Enquiry-based learning units link the study of scripture and virtues in creative ways.

These quality resources support RE enquiry into a Christian faith perspective on three virtues.  They inspire high-level thinking and deeper creative reflection in RE teaching and learning.

The Virtues Learning material is designed to be as accessible and user friendly as possible offering:

• film clips of scenes, actor viewpoint clips and stills from The Life of Christ
• outlines of age appropriate learning journeys for each virtue
• detailed teaching and learning activities with background information
• Bible drama workshop material and guidelines
• assembly outlines for each virtue

The Virtues Enquiry/Pause Day approach to delivery is not intended to replace the statutory RE units, but to provide ‘space’ to enhance and deepen pupils’ understanding.

Humility

The excerpt from the Christian Bible when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13: 1-15) and Wintershall’s dramatised clips of scenes from The Life of Christ’ production provide the theological stimulus to a Virtues Enquiry on the shared human virtue of Humility.

Humility is described in the Bible as one of nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) The fruits of the spirit in their biblical context are Christ-like qualities aspired to by followers of Jesus, and enabled by faith in Jesus and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Linked virtues and values: self-sacrifice, service, compassion, kindness, self-sacrifice, faith, trust

Love

The excerpt from the Christian Bible when Jesus Heals the Leper (Luke 5:12-16) and Wintershall’s clips of dramatised scenes from The Life of Christ’ production provide the theological stimulus to a Virtues Enquiry on the shared human virtue of unconditional love.

Love is described in the Bible as one of nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) The fruits of the spirit in their biblical context are Christ-like qualities aspired to by followers of Jesus, and enabled by faith in Jesus and the transforming work of the Holy spirit

Linked virtues and values

Patience

The excerpt from the Christian Bible, Simeon and Anna – The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Luke 2: 22-40) and Wintershall’s dramatised clips of scenes from The Life of Christ’ production provide the theological stimulus to a Virtues Enquiry on the shared human virtue of patience.

Patience is described in the Bible as one of nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) The fruits of the spirit in their biblical context are Christ-like qualities aspired to by followers of Jesus, and enabled by faith in Jesus and the transforming work of the Holy spirit.

Linked virtues and values