Moral Focus Stuffed Animals Reinforce Character Lessons Through Connection
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
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There are new Moral Focus™ tools coming to each of National Heritage Academies' (NHA®) 103 partner-schools, and students can’t wait to give them a big hug.
NHA’s Curriculum and Instruction Team is sending schools Moral Focus stuffed animals to help reinforce these valuable character lessons. These plush recreations bring Ollie the Owl from the pages of his book to the classroom, giving young students another way to engage in each lesson.
Director of Curriculum Leslie Stiles said Ollie’s stuffed animal was first created in the summer of 2024, and after hearing stellar feedback at Leadership Summit, she knew it would be a hit for kids.
“We know that our Moral Focus program is special and unique to NHA, it goes beyond what we see at other schools,” Stiles said. “We continue to think about the best ways to make Moral Focus visible and relatable to students. What do all students love? Stuffed animals.
“We developed lessons for K-2 teachers to introduce characters alongside Sarah McCormick’s books.”
While their utility is written into Moral Focus curriculum, teachers across the country are using the plush toys to promote each virtue in different ways. In Colette Michot’s second-grade class at Willow Charter Academy, she is rewarding students who show that month’s virtue with the opportunity to have Ollie or Harvey the Hedgehog sit at their desk for the day. Other teachers use it as a tool to lead daily discussion on Moral Focus.
When students can see and feel the characters, it allows for a deeper connection to the learning.
“They are just so excited about these stuffed animals,” Stiles said. “It’s a great visual reminder not only for teachers, but also the kids. It’s tangible, something in their classroom that they can hold. Based on school response, stuffed animals are a comforting thing and are fun to have around. It’s great to add something tangible.”
Some schools have the stuffed animals decorating their office, adding a Moral Focus touchpoint for parents and other community members. This simple decoration strengthens the connection to Moral Focus for families.
Every K-2 classroom across NHA’s network will have a full set of nine Moral Focus characters by the end of the school year with Bonnie the Bee and Milo the Mountain Goat headed to classrooms soon.
Schools can also use funds to purchase additional plush toys, which are available on the NHA Swag Store.
With these tangible versions of characters around every corner of NHA schools, it is a reminder to students, staff, and parents that Moral Focus is always around us.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA®) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find a charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.
NHA’s Curriculum and Instruction Team is sending schools Moral Focus stuffed animals to help reinforce these valuable character lessons. These plush recreations bring Ollie the Owl from the pages of his book to the classroom, giving young students another way to engage in each lesson.
Director of Curriculum Leslie Stiles said Ollie’s stuffed animal was first created in the summer of 2024, and after hearing stellar feedback at Leadership Summit, she knew it would be a hit for kids.
“We know that our Moral Focus program is special and unique to NHA, it goes beyond what we see at other schools,” Stiles said. “We continue to think about the best ways to make Moral Focus visible and relatable to students. What do all students love? Stuffed animals.
“We developed lessons for K-2 teachers to introduce characters alongside Sarah McCormick’s books.”
While their utility is written into Moral Focus curriculum, teachers across the country are using the plush toys to promote each virtue in different ways. In Colette Michot’s second-grade class at Willow Charter Academy, she is rewarding students who show that month’s virtue with the opportunity to have Ollie or Harvey the Hedgehog sit at their desk for the day. Other teachers use it as a tool to lead daily discussion on Moral Focus.
When students can see and feel the characters, it allows for a deeper connection to the learning.
“They are just so excited about these stuffed animals,” Stiles said. “It’s a great visual reminder not only for teachers, but also the kids. It’s tangible, something in their classroom that they can hold. Based on school response, stuffed animals are a comforting thing and are fun to have around. It’s great to add something tangible.”
Some schools have the stuffed animals decorating their office, adding a Moral Focus touchpoint for parents and other community members. This simple decoration strengthens the connection to Moral Focus for families.
Every K-2 classroom across NHA’s network will have a full set of nine Moral Focus characters by the end of the school year with Bonnie the Bee and Milo the Mountain Goat headed to classrooms soon.
Schools can also use funds to purchase additional plush toys, which are available on the NHA Swag Store.
With these tangible versions of characters around every corner of NHA schools, it is a reminder to students, staff, and parents that Moral Focus is always around us.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA®) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school. For more information, visit nhaschools.com. To find a charter school near you, use the NHA school finder.