Mailbox

Kappa Delta Pi Record, Spring 2001

Ancient Egyptians Had Character Too

The contributors to the KDP Record Summer 2000 issue provided many insights on the history, current dilemmas, and prospects of character education. Ernest J. Zarra III ("Pinning down Character Education") provides a historical over-view, which, like most commentaries, begins with Socrates and other Greek philosophers. Although the Greeks' contributions were elegant and fundamental, they were turning over a leaf that had already been written on. Students in ancient Egyptian scribal schools spent a lot of time reading and copying "Wisdom Literature" or "Instructions," a combination of practical advice, exhortations to ethical behavior towards others, and insistence on "doing Maat"--i.e., rightness according to the divine order of creation. The work of C. S. Lewis cited by Zarra on page 156 refers to some of this material. The Egyptian "Instruction of Amenemope" is closely related to a part of the biblical book of Proverbs. Ancient Egyptian stories such as "Sinuhe," "The Shipwrecked Sailor," and "The Eloquent Peasant" often have strong wisdom themes. One ancient Egyptian text actually contains a "nature vs. nurture" debate, posing the question of whether the bent stick can be straightened.

Edmund S. Meltzer Stevens Point, Wisconsin

Call for Manuscripts

The editors request manuscripts from classroom teachers, school administrators, and student teachers on current educational issues, practices, and concerns. Articles addressing upcoming editorial themes especially are welcome. Request Guidelines for Authors from and/or mail completed manuscripts to: Record Editor, Kappa Delta Pi, 3707 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268-1158. The Guidelines also can be downloaded from www.kdp.org/publications/ guidelines.html for your convenience.

Upcoming Kappa Delta Pi Record Themes

Winter 2002: The Assessment of Learning

Manuscript deadline: 15 June 2001

Are standardized tests a good evaluation of learning? Should graduation be tied to one test? Do portfolios adequately assess learning outcomes? How can teachers avoid "teaching to the test" at the expense of innovative instruction?

Spring 2002: The Social Side of Teaching

Manuscript deadline: 15 September 2001

What learning experiences enhance students' social understanding and promote emotional harmony? How can schools best provide such experiences? Of what value is the affective domain of the educational process?

Summer 2002: Nonthemed

Manuscript deadline: 15 December 2001

Record Review

Address changes: Mail address changes to Kappa Delta Pi, 3707 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268-1158; fax to 317-704-2323; telephone at 800-284-3167; or e-mail to pubs@kdp.org.

Back issues: When available, back issues of Kappa Delta Pi Record are $5 each. Send check or money order with issue date to: Back Issues, Kappa Delta Pi Record, 3707 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268-1158.

Permissions: One article in any Kappa Delta Pi Record may be reproduced forty times or less without permission if (1) duplication is for educational purposes at a nonprofit institution; (2) copies are made available without charge beyond reproduction costs; and (3) each copy fully cites authors and sources, including the sole publisher--Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. Permission to reproduce more than one article or under conditions other than those specified must be obtained in writing from Permissions, Kappa Delta Pi, 3707 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268-1158.

Article purchase: Kappa Delta Pi Record is available on microfiche with Ditto of Canada Ltd. (Bell & Howell, Canada). Articles may be purchased via library account number or credit card from Faxon Xpress(TM) of Faxon Research Services, 15 Southwest Park, Westwood, Massachusetts 02090, telephone 800-- 766-0039; or from UnCover Company, 3801 East Florida Avenue, Suite 200, Denver, Colorado 80210, telephone 800-787-7979.

Share your comments about articles published in this issue of the Kappa Delta Pi Record. Address correspondence to: Mailbox, Kappa Delta Pi Record, 3707 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268-1158; e-mail to pubs@kdp.org; or fax to 317-704-- 2323. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.