JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — Many parents teach their children the golden rule: "Do unto others as you would have others do to you," but do they get it? One Johnston County teacher is using song and sign language to help students learn tolerance.

Kelly Willis' third-grade class at McGee's Crossroads Elementary School is learning that tolerance begins in small steps. Whether the issue is race or religion, being boy or girl, or being short or tall, children can take action.

"If you don't respect other people, they could be sad and it would hurt their feelings," student Brittany Blinson said.

The kids are learning songs that talk about character. They also learn to sing in sign language.

"I wanted them to see people are not the same, who have a little bit of a difference and for them to be able to help them out. I wanted to show that they can make a difference," Willis said.