The best moral intelligence programs are not “tack-on” approaches, but find ways to integrate it into a teacher’s existing lessons. And one of the easiest and natural places to begin is with literature. Here is a simple way Jodi McKay, a principal at Turtleford Community School, helped her staff integrate literature into moral intelligence building.I loved the idea because it’s not only easy, but also helped her staff reflect on moral intelligence building practices.

Jodi first referred to the appendix sections of two of my books, Building Moral Intelligence and Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me for children’s literature lists addressing the seven virtues. (For instance: Charlotte’s Web: kindness; Fortunately: perseverance; The Pain and the Great One: empathy). She purchased some of those books and pulled others from her library shelves. Then for a half day teacher PD day (or one staff meeting), her teachers gathered and went through the following process:

1. The teachers read each book.
2. They next identify the core virtue(s) addressed.
3. Finally, they created a mini-lesson(s) to accompany the story that helps students recognize the virtue in context.

These mini-lesson ideas or discussion promps for stretching moral growth were then taped to the back of each book and kept in the library for use by all the staff.

If you’d like more information you can contact Jodi at jodi.mckay@horizon.ab.ca

If you have ideas on building moral intelligence, please pass them along!

Thanks Jodi!

Michele Borba
www.moralintelligence.com