Turning Points

Turning Points is a character development and literacy program that provides opportunities for students in Grade 6 - 12 to read, write and think about their fundamental values.  A process of self-reflection and dialogue with teachers and peers leads to writing a narrative essay about a significant event, a turning point, in which students organize their thoughts about the principles that guide their lives.  Students are encouraged to submit their essays for formal evaluation, recognition and publication.

Benefits of the Program:

 challenges students to discover and examine core values
 supports the expectations and outcomes in provincial curricula
 provides an opportunity for purposeful writing
 develops essay writing skills
 improves classroom climate through improved teacher-student communication
 enhances understanding of the depth and breadth of student experience

Program Objectives:

 To foster an appreciation among students for all the experiences in life. 
 To provide a vehicle for students to focus on their values and life goals and express them on paper.
 To provide schools with a flexible, easy to implement character education program. 
 To offer teachers an engaging, classroom process that reinforces writing skills while generating student motivation to express themselves in written form by linking the essay writing to the student’s personal experience.
 To mobilize community recognition for young people who are reflecting and writing about the values that will guide their lives. 
 To encourage families to engage in an on-going dialogue about what really matters in life.  

For more information please contact Marni Angus, National Program Manager, at 416 915 7615 or mangus@thelearningpartnership.ca