February Character Trait – Justice
February 2, 2009
Character Trait - Justice
The Building Good Citizens for Texas character trait for February is Justice. This concept is included in many Character Education Programs. Truly understanding this concept is important because of the different approaches that elementary and secondary students require.
Elementary students may not understand the term Justice, but they certainly understand fair play.
In our Character Education Program we define Justice as “fair and equitable behavior which is consistent with the laws and principles that govern a democratic society”. Much too sophisticated for elementary students, but an appropriate topic for secondary students.
For the secondary student, discussions, book selections, essays, a debate citing instances of justice and injustice are just a few of the possible activities for the secondary classroom.
For elementary students, emphasizing fairness in activities, choosing books demonstrating the consequences of unfair treatment of others, role playing about what it means to play fair, and journaling about a time when a student was treated unfairly are appropriate classroom activities.
Thomas Jefferson stated, “Everyone who asks Justice should do Justice.”
What does that mean in the classroom? Students expect that all teachers will treat each student fairly and with respect. By the same measure, teachers should expect that each student treat their teacher with fairness and respect. We must expect, and insist that each student treat the other students with that same fairness and respect.
As Jefferson maintained, to paraphrase, if you want justice (fairness) then you must exhibit justice. Most educators will admit that some children are easier to teach than others. This reality does not excuse our responsibility to treat every child with Justice. When corrections or consequences are needed, those actions must be the same for all children. They must be fair, in other words those corrections or consequences must be just.
Webster’s Dictionary defines Justice as “reward or penalty as deserved”.
In giving that “reward or penalty as deserved” we are giving a lifelong lesson in the benefits of “fair and equitable behavior”.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”, according to Martin Luther King, Jr.
During February as we emphasize Justice with our students and, with our co-workers as well, let’s remember:
• Treat all students fairly.
• Treat co-workers with respect and justice.
• Use the term “Justice” often, and interchangeably with “fairness.”
• Look for examples in the “real world” to give emphasis to the importance of justice.
• Encourage books/stories demonstrating positive outcomes when justice is practiced.
Justice is a critical component of our democratic society. We can encourage strong citizenship in our students by striving in all our activities to practice this character trait with everyone we meet, child and adult alike! I’d love to hear about your experiences and strategies on the topic of Justice.