Character Education & SEL School Assembly • K–6
Respect Spells Hip Hop
Also known as R-E-S-P-E-C-T Spells Hip Hop!
A high-energy character education assembly where DJ Reggie uses hip hop dance, music, and movement to teach students the Pillars of Character in a way they actually remember.
The program highlights the widely used Pillars of Character—Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, and Caring—through step-by-step dance instruction, strategically placed discussions, and big moments of crowd participation. Students are up, moving, and laughing while they absorb what it means to be a person of character.
Instead of a lecture, Respect Spells Hip Hop turns character education into a memorable shared experience that teachers and counselors can refer back to all year long.
A Character Education Assembly Built on the Pillars of Character
In Respect Spells Hip Hop, DJ Reggie uses hip hop dance to bring the Pillars of Character to life: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, and Caring. Students don't just hear about character—they move, practice, and experience what it looks like to live it out together.
What Students Learn in This Assembly
- •The Pillars of Character—Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, and Caring—in student-friendly language.
- •Why respect for peers, teachers, and parents matters—and how to show it every day.
- •That students who work together and help each other create a stronger school community where everyone can flourish.
- •The importance of participation—in the show and in life—and giving 100% regardless of the outcome.
- •How music and movement can be a powerful way to learn and remember character-building lessons.
Perfect For These School Events
- •Character education kickoffs at the start of the school year.
- •Respect Week, Kindness Week, or school-wide SEL events.
- •PTA-sponsored character building programs where you need high energy and strong, positive messaging.
- •Follow-up to classroom guidance lessons on respect, empathy, and teamwork.
- •Any elementary school looking for a fun, movement-based approach to character education that students will talk about afterward.
How Respect Spells Hip Hop Works
- •DJ Reggie leads time-tested hip hop dance instruction that gets even reluctant students participating.
- •Character themes are woven into strategic discussion moments between dance segments so the message sticks.
- •The show balances fun, humor, and heart so the Pillars of Character feel real and relevant, not like a lecture.
- •Students are encouraged to try moves outside their comfort zone, reinforcing resilience and confidence.
- •The program becomes a “keeps on giving” reference point that teachers and parents can mention all year.
What Schools Say
“The show was great. All teachers and students loved it!! Even the principal told me she thought it was great!”
— Anthi Kesoglou, Smith School P.T.O., Hillside, NJ
Ready to Bring Character to Life?
See if Respect Spells Hip Hop is available for your date.
Tell us your school, grade levels, and preferred date. We’ll confirm availability and pricing, and suggest backup options if your first choice is already booked.
No deposit required to submit the form. We’ll hold your requested date while you confirm with your PTA or principal.
Why Choose This Character Education Assembly?
Elementary students are still figuring out who they are and how to treat others. The Pillars of Character—Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, and Caring—are important, but on their own they can sound abstract. Respect Spells Hip Hop turns those ideas into something students can see, feel, and do.
Because the concepts are tied to music and movement, students remember them. Teachers can refer back to specific moments from the assembly when talking about classroom behavior, teamwork, and kindness. Parents hear about the show at home because their kids want to show off the moves they learned.
The result is a school assembly that doesn't end when the music stops—it becomes part of your ongoing character education efforts.
How This Program Supports Your School's Goals
Respect Spells Hip Hop lines up with common school initiatives around character, SEL, PBIS, and school climate. It reinforces messages about working together, giving full effort, and stepping outside your comfort zone in healthy ways.
Because the program is built on movement and participation, it's especially helpful for students who struggle to sit still or engage in traditional assemblies. When students experience success during the show, it gives them a positive reference point that carries back into the classroom.
Many schools find that Respect Spells Hip Hop becomes a “keeps on giving” show they want to repeat, because the format supports both fun and meaningful follow-up.
Need help planning your assembly?
Not sure about audience size, timing, or equipment? Our School Assembly FAQ answers the most common PTA and principal questions and makes planning easy.