The Remarkable Abigail: Story-Telling for Character Education.

STORYTELLING; MORAL education; STUDENTS; TEACHERS; CHILD rearing; ETHICS; HONESTY; MORAL development; EDUCATION

The article discusses the importance of story telling in character education. It has been found that true historical stories involving dramatic moments of moral conflict are useful for imparting character education. The social studies-based stories have the power to impart character education. These stories are an essential component for citizenship, because the values of its characters transcend time and are thus perfectly relevant for today's students. These stories also prove that the values of good character are not restricted to people of a particular place or time. The author opined that applying the story metaphor may serve to bring in-depth, overall meaning to history instruction. Educators have observed the sheer power of historical/cultural stories to impart important ideas and values to ensuing generations. They also lamented that present education lacks such emphasis. In order for a historical story to be meaningful and provide opportunities for "teachable moments" such as character education, it must provoke interest, challenge, and be accurate.