The 5 C’s of Character Development

Cherry on the top

One of the aspects of American Prep International School that distinguishes us from most other international schools in Thailand and abroad is our emphasis on 5 very specific cross-curricular focus points.
 
  • American Prep has adopted an exceptionally strong and useful curriculum in the world renowned California State Education Department Curriculum.
  • Hundreds, perhaps even thousands of schools in California and across the world follow this curriculum with great educational results.
  • American Prep International School, however, has added a “cherry on the top” by identifying 5 cross-curricular focus points. These cross-curricular focus points span across the curriculum and are emphasized in every classroom and in every lesson.

The 5 cross-curricular focus points

The 5 cross-curricular focus points (sometimes referred to as the 5 “C’s” of character development) are:Logo_final
  1. Creativity,
  2. critical thinking,
  3. collaboration,
  4. communication and
  5. compassion
We, the educators and staff of American Prep are fully committed to teaching and modelling these cross-curricular focus points.
We believe that developing these characteristics in the lives of students is the real essence of education.
 The knowledge and skills that are transferred with the help of the California Curriculum are of great value, but the character development that comes with the adoption of these character elements is what will make a person stand out in the crowd and equip him or her to be notable citizens and leaders in our modern world.
 

Defining the cross-curricular focus points

What do the we, the educators of American Prep International School, have in mind when we teach and model the cross-curricular focus elements?
 
Creativity
  •  We believe that every student in our school carries within him or herself a divine spark of creativity. This creativity can be stifled  (squashed) or encouraged (developed) by the teacher in the classroom
  • We, at American Prep, have pledged ourselves to search for and to encourage every and any form of creativity that we find in our students.
  • This includes artistic forms of creativity as well as creative thinking and problem solving
Critical thinking
  • Closely related to the concept of creativity, is the matter of critical thinking.
  • Educators at American Prep believe that every human being has the ability to think for himself rather than to be a “mere reflector” of the thoughts and opinions of other people.
  • It requires great educational skill to identify and to develop independent and critical thinking in the young mind.
  • The pervasive influence of modern media and traditional teaching methods tend to force all people into a certain mold.
  • And in this mold they dress, speak, behave and think the same as the great majority of people in the world.
  • However, at American Prep we want our students to break out of this mold and become truly independent in their thinking and behavioral patterns.

  • Collaboration

  • to attain a specific goal is essential to human survival.
  • At American Prep we find many ways to teach and to demonstrate to our students that collaboration and working together as a team to accomplish a worthwhile goal is something good, something that we all should strive to achieve.
  • This particular emphasis is also reflected in our school motto for 2016: “Let’s move the elephant together!”

Communication

  • Effective communication is foundational to all of the 5 “C’s” of character development.
  • Effective communication between opposing parties can solve problems and lead to enduring friendships.
  • Communication is a skill that every leader needs in order to lead effectively.
  • At American Prep International School communication – teaching students to use the English language properly and effectively – is a challenge that we focus on every day inside and outside of the regular teaching times.

  • Compassion 

  • love for our fellow man – is something that is lacking in the world today.
  • Lack of compassion is the result of selfishness and leads to manipulation, fighting and war.
  • At American Prep we are continually looking for opportunities to teach compassion and caring for all people.
  • The world tends to focus on self-serving. At American Prep we focus on serving others.
Finally, We, at American Prep International, really believe that the 5 “C’s” of character development that are daily taught and emphasized in out classrooms and on our campus are the ‘cherry on the top’ that makes our school stand head and shoulders above other international schools in our part of the world!
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