The Man Who Could Have Been King: a Storyteller’s Guide for Character Education

Abstract

This article focuses upon the need for character education through examining and promoting the values demonstrated by historical storytelling and encouraging the adoption of values for citizenship development. It is noted that historical figures should not be chosen by political correctness but should be examined instead for their transcending values that perpetuate a democratic society. The storytelling strategy is advanced as the educator’s vehicle for same and is dependent upon not only an accurate rendition but further guiding students to identify and analyze values as they may pertain to their own lives. The story of George Washington is provided as an example along with follow-up discussion questions and the results of a pilot study.

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