Select the words and definitions you want to use and teach them
to the students. We teach one word a month.
Once you teach it, never
drop it. Keep the words and definitions going continually. Many of
them support each other.
Create a bulletin board that displays the word and definition in
an attractive and meaningful way.
Be sure that all of the words and definitions are displayed
somewhere in the classroom at all times for easy reference
whenever the
opportunity presents itself for discussion. This can be done in many
different ways. Our mascot is a tiger.
Some of our teachers use
large tiger paws to show the words and definitions and hang them from the
ceiling or place
them on the wall over the chalkboards. That way the
students just have to quickly glance to find the word that fits
the situation
rather than trying to keep a list of many words and definitions memorized in
their heads.
Share your good ideas with others. If someone else uses
your idea, consider it a great compliment.
Make it a practice to "seize the moment" throughout the school
day to discuss and teach the meaning. It might happen
during a story that
the class is reading, discussing a hero during a social studies lesson, or in
solving a problem that occurs
in the classroom or at recess.
Recognizing good character displayed by a student is a positive
way to encourage good behavior by others.
Begin compiling a list in your teacher plan book of books and
stories that you come across throughout the year that support
particular words.
This becomes a fast and easy reference for support material when needed.
Remember that you do not
necessarily have to find the exact character word
within the story...just the inferred meaning or practice of the trait.
Start a collection of wise words or character statements that
can be sent home and displayed on the refrigerator. Parents
should be
encouraged to support the words and practice good character also. We need
to model, model, model good
behavior at all times. As educators and
parents, we need to be sure we are living a life that is a reflection of good
character
as we are teaching it to our children. Remember, our actions
speak louder than words. You never know who is watching.
A bulletin board of "wise words" is a good teaching tool.
Constant reminders of what good character is can provide
important lessons for
the students. What we fill our minds with is what we become. If we
fill their minds with positive
statements and challenge them to live by them, it
could have a powerful impact on their lives. One of my favorite sayings
is
"When someone sees your face or hears your name spoken, what is the first thing
that comes to mind?" What do the
students want others to think about them?
Will it be something positive or will they be ashamed? What kind of
"reputation"
do they have?
Have students create a book that pages can be added to each
month. Each page can display a character word and definition.
Have
the students write a sentence or short paragraph about when they practiced that
particular word. One of my very favorite examples was a first grader who
wrote "Honesty...truthful words and ways. I was honest when I told my
neighbor that I was
the one who picked her flowers." Her illustration was
a picture of her neighbor's flowers. When the book is complete it can
serve as the child's published book for "Young Author's Week" or become a
keepsake for Mother's Day.
Begin each day with a positive thought or wise words of
wisdom. Students can copy the statement in their writing journal
each day.
Older students might write a paragraph about its meaning and importance.
Begin each day with an appropriate story from the "Chicken
Soup" books. Many of them lend themselves to great
discussions on
practicing good character. Another good source is William J. Bennett's
Children's Book of Virtues and
The Book of Virtues.
Choose a "character student" each week who has practiced good
character to be recognized by the teacher or principal
over the school intercom.
If your school has monthly assemblies, recognize students
from each classroom for showing good character. We have
what we call
"Tiger Pride" Assemblies. Each teacher chooses two students to be
recognized each month and they receive
certificates. Their pictures can be
added to the certificate and hung on the wall in the classroom or in the hallway
for all to see.
Each quarter write positive statements about the student on
his/her report card. Ask the principal to sign each card and write
encouraging comments or statements. Our school has over 600 students and I
do this every quarter. Students and parents
know that I'm going to be
reading the card and noticing the grades. This is very good PR!!! Be
sure to always keep it positive
and watch for improvement. Praise the
student when you see that they worked hard to do what you have asked of them.
Let the students interview the teacher and principal.
It is a wonderful learning and teaching opportunity when you can share
lessons
you have learned in life that developed good character. Have the students
write what they learned about you.
Have the teachers and students practice "Random Acts of
Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty". When appropriate,
we give a
"Random Acts of Kindness Award" at our assembly. A parent, volunteer,
student or staff member might be the
one chosen for this special recognition.
Ask someone to make banners of character words to be hung in
the school. Our kindergarten purchased a large vinyl banner
for our school
that displays our mascot and all our character words. They earned the
money from their school economic project.
When students have a problem with their behavior, ask them to
share with you which character word they were practicing
when they did what they
did. This usually causes them to be ashamed or regretful. Use this
opportunity to talk about the
character words that they should immediately start
using to solve their problem.
Have the class earn compliments from other adults in your
school for using good manners and following school rules.
When I observe
students walking in a quiet, straight line going to and from special classes or
lunch, I make it a point to
complement them and encourage them to set good
examples for others. My compliments count double. When students
fill
their "compliment chain" or fill their "compliment bucket", they earn a special
principal story or art lesson.
