Reply to Do you wish that schools taught ethics?

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[quote=Anonymous]I think especially at the elementary level, "ethics" should just naturally be taught as a part of school procedures and culture.

Things like the 6 pillars of character, which is what I was taught in public elementary -  Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, Citizenship. We were taught about what each of these meant and that at our school we were required to act with these qualities in mind. At the elementary level, I find this perfectly reasonable and sensible - and without at least a bit of "formal instruction" how are the kids to know what is expected of them? Without at least a basic framework of ethical expectations, I don't see how kids can work safely and productively with each other or how the school can function.

I don't mean ethics in the context of what different religious communities believe, but I'm pretty sure we can all agree that the above traits are pretty universal and essential for any group (including a class, a grade or a school) to function.

In the PPs scenario of a lying student, having already had the formal instruction means that the student will understand when the teacher asks "Were you showing trustworthiness? What would a better choice have been?" Or in the PP's case of one student being mean to another, the teacher can point to the school rule of fairness, caring, or citizenship and explain to the student why she was wrong and what she should have done. If you haven't already set out the expectations so everyone understands, how can you intervene when one is broken?
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