ASSETS/CHARACTER LINKS

» For Parents

» For Teens

» For Educators and Youth    Specialists

» For Neighbors

» For Businesses

» For Everyone

» Media & Events

» Reference Lists

» Back to Main Building Assets    and Character Page

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» For Parents

• List of References for Assets and Character materials for parents

»For Teens

• List of References for Assets and Character materials for teens

»For Educators and Youth Specialists

• List of References for Assets and Character materials for educators

»For Neighbors

• List of References for Assets and Character materials

»For Businesses

• List of References for Assets and Character materials

»For Everyone

• Student Activities:  A list of asset/character building activities involving SBC students

• Teacher Involvement:  A list of asset/character building activities involving SBC teachers

• Student/Teacher Annual Awards:  A list of annual SBC awards given to students and teachers related to asset/character building
• Local and National Reports:  Reports that pertain to asset/character building in children and teens
• Best Practices for Assets and Character Development:  A list highlighting best practices locally and nationally
• YEP Pages:  The Youth, Educators & Parents Pages, (YEP), offer links for parents, educators, and youth through a single website, with an array of vital school-age services and programs
• Make A Donation:  Instructions as to how to donate money to support assets/character building in youth

»Media & Events

• News Releases/Current Stories
• Photos
• Video Clips
• Special Events Calendar: A listing of special events within the SBC community related to assets/character building

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Reference Lists

For Parents

 

1. What Kids Need to Succeed:  Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids.

By Peter L. Benson, Ph.D. , Judy Galbraith, M.A., & Pamela Espeland (1998) Search Institute:  Minneapolis.            

Covers the 40 Developmental Assets™ and the research behind this powerful approach to youth development.  Includes over 900 ideas for asset building, as well as a series of checklists to help parents identify assets in youth. 

  

2. When Parents Ask for Help:  Everyday Issues through an Asset-Building Lens.

By Renie Howard. (2003).  Search Institute: Minneapolis. 

Practical ideas for asset-building with reproducible handouts that cover a wide range of everyday issues faced by adolescents.  Geared for parents and those raising adolescents. 

   

3. MVParents.com

A Search Institute online resource for parents with suggestions for raising healthy children and teens.

  

4. Parenting: The Most Important Job of Your Life!

Created by Character Counts!™ and the National PTA as a guide for building character in children from birth through 18.  Includes advice for parents and a variety of creative activities. 

  

5. Parenting to Build Character in Your Teen

By Michael Josephson, Val Peter, & Tom Dowd. 

Focuses on helping teens to use “head”, “heart”, and “habits” to build character. 

 

For Teens

 

1. What Teens Need to Succeed:  Proven, Practical Ways to Shape Your Own Future.

By Peter Benson, Ph.D., Judy Galbraith, M.A. & Pamela Espeland. (1998) Search Institute:  Minneapolis.  

Introduces the 40 Developmental Assets and focuses on helping teens to create powerful and successful lives. 

 

2. Respect: A Girl’s Guide to Getting Respect and Dealing When Your Line is Crossed

By Courtney Macavinta & Andrea Vander Pluym.  Search Institute:  Minneapolis.

This book helps teen girls to get respect and to understand that respect is connected to everything.  Topics include body image, family, friends, school, relationships, and rumors. 

 

    3.  Life Freaks Me Out:  and Then I Deal With It   (Reassuring Secrets from a Former Teenager)

           By K.L. Hong   Search Institute: Minneapolis        

The author of this book reflects on her own teenage years, emphasizing the importance of choice and developing personal values.  Guidance is offerred about life's big questions, such as "Who Am I?" and "What Am I Called to Do?"  

      

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

by Sean Covey (1998).  FIRESIDE:  New York. 

Discusses 7 habits that highly successful teens have in common.  Included are discussions about taking responsibility, defining goals, and prioritizing. 

  

5. In Search of Character Videos (VHS or DVD).

Produced by Character Counts!™  and featuring Dr. Michael Thompson.

A set of 30 minute videos that highlight the Six Pillars of Character™.  High school callers to the “Dr. Mike Radio Show” talk about character in lively, candid discussions. 

 

For Educators & Youth Specialists

1. Great Places to Learn:  Creating Asset-Building Schools That Help Students Succeed. (2006)

by Neal Starkman, Ph.D., Peter Scales, Ph.D. & Clary Roberts, M.S. Search Institute:  Minneapolis. 

Covers research on 40 Developmental Assets™ and strategies for incorporating asset-building into schools.  Examples of successful programs and practices are highlighted. 

 

2. Building Assets Together:  135 Group Activities for Helping Youth Succeed (1997)

by Jolene Roehlkepartain.  Search Institute: Minneapolis. 

A book filled with classroom and out-of-classroom activities designed to build assets.  A variety of reproducible worksheets are included. 

 

3. Freedom Writers:  Fighting Hatred with Language Arts – video  (2004)

by Films for the Humanities and Sciences   [15 minutes] 

ABC News correspondent Connie Chung documents the efforts of 23-year old English teacher Erin Gruell in helping her inner-city high school students overcome experiences of violence and despair.    

4. Good Ideas to Help Young People Develop Good Character:  Ways to Teach the Six Pillars of Character™, Vol 1 (1996-2001)

Edited by Steven Nish.

A variety of ideas and reproducible worksheets designed to help educators teach the Six Pillars of Character™.  Lesson plans are grouped according to age and grade level. 

  

5. Developmental Assets:  A Synthesis of the Scientific Research on Adolescent Development 2nd edition (2004)

by Peter Scales & Nancy Leffert.  Search Institute:  Minneapolis. 

The research supporting each category of assets is reviewed, including updated findings on the impact of assets on behavior.  Recent data on young people’s experiences of the 40 assets is also included. 

 

6. Coming into Their Own:  How Developmental Assets Promote Positive Growth in Middle Childhood (2004) 

by Peter Scales, Arturo Sesma, Jr. , & Brent Bolstrom.  Search Institute:  Minneapolis.   

This book reviews the scientific literature related to building assets in 4^th – 6^th grade children.  Data from the “Me and My World” survey for middle childhood is also included. 

 

For Neighbors

 

1. Tag, You're It!  50 Easy Ways to Connect with Young People

by Kathleen Kimball-Baker (2003). Search Institute: Minneapolis

Includes 50 inspirational ideas for adults to build positive relationships with young people.  An explanation of “asset building” and asset lists are included. 
 

2. Just When I Needed You:  True Stories of Adults Who Made A Difference in the Lives of Young People

   by Deborah Fisher. Search Institute: Minneapolis

   A collection of stories from around North American from adult asset builders who discuss their experiences with people who inspired and encouraged them. 

    

3. Stopping at Every Lemonade Stand: How to Create a Culture that Cares for Kids

   by James Vollbracht (2001). Search Institute: Minneapolis.

   This book offers a blueprint for creating a healthier, more supportive culture for young people.  Various circles of community including families, neighborhoods, and businesses all have an opportunity to positively impact the lives of youth. 

For Businesses
 

1. 40 Ways Anyone Can Build Assets  -  poster  (2002)

A poster listing ways that anyone can build assets everyday.  Appropriate for use in any organization.    

 

2. All Kids Are Our Kids:  What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescents 2nd Edition (2006) 

by Peter L. Benson.  Search Institute: Minneapolis.

Introduces the 40 Developmental Assets™ and challenges employers as well as other sectors of the community to share in the responsibility for ensuring that all young people have what they need to grow up healthy and successful.  Specific strategies for energizing local communities are included. 
 

3. Everyday Greatness:  Inspiration for a Meaningful Life.

Commentary by Steven Covey & compiled by David K. Hatch (2006). Rutledge Hill:  Nashville

A book filled with inspirational stories of character-driven living.  Includes insights from a variety of well-known sources on responsibility, discipline, integrity, humility, gratitude, and respect among others.