Character Education & PBIS

Presented By: Anna Bruns & Martha Milli, NCC

Throughout history, education has had two main goals:

• To help people become smarter.

• To help people become good.

Dr. Thomas Lickona, Educating for Character

In Addition

Schools in the United States of America were created to prepare

children to be productive citizens. It’s a part of every state charter.

&Well behaved students mean an

effective learning environment.

Character Education Partnership

A thought from Theodore Roosevelt

“To educate a person in mind and not in morals

is to educate a menace to society”

PBIS Emphasis

To create “school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining,

teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school

environments.”

http://www.pbis.org/school/default.aspx

Character Education EmphasisIt helps schools create a safe, caring and inclusive learning environment for every

student and supports academic development. It fosters qualities that will help students be successful as citizens, in the workplace, help students be successful in all of the goals we

have for our public schools. It is the common denominator that will help schools reach all of

their goals. Character education I not one more thing on your plate! It is the plate?

Utah State Office of Education

Benefits of Both Character Education & PBIS

• Safer Schools• Improved School Performance• Improved Attendance• Positive School Climate• Bullying Deterrent• Builds Positive Character• Fewer Behavior Problems

Lois Rothberg , Martha Milli & Jan Bradley, Spotlight on Life Skills: Creating a Character Education Program for Your School Presentation, 2009

Strong Character Education & PBIS Programs:

• Are planned and proactive• Have high expectations for responsible behaviors• Connect students and staff• Involves a social/emotional learning emphasis• Is practiced in and out of the classroom• Is a multi-year process• Includes role modeling by the staff• Must be a total school commitment

Lois Rothberg , Martha Milli & Jan Bradley, Spotlight on Life Skills: Creating a Character Education Program for Your School Presentation, 2009

A Strong Character Education & PBIS Program …

• The teacher is a caregiver, model, and mentor

• Teaches values & positive behaviors through the curriculum

• Includes teaching positive conflict resolution strategies

• Involves ethical reflection• Incorporates cooperative learning

strategies• Creates a positive, caring learning

environmentLois Rothberg , Martha Milli & Jan Bradley, Spotlight on Life Skills: Creating a Character Education Program for Your School Presentation, 2009

How does the Character Education Program Connect with PBIS at our Schools?

• Basically, our Character Education Program supports our PBIS Mission and Code of Conduct.

• Through Character Education we teach positive values and virtues.

• We do this through direct instruction, hallway displays, parent newsletter articles, daily intercom announcements, curriculum infusion, one on one or small group interventions, etc..

• The PBIS Initiatives are designed to provide positive consequences to students who demonstrate the code and values.

• The PBIS Initiatives are also designed to outline strategies for implementing consequences for negative behaviors.

What does a Joined

Character Education

Program & PBIS look like?

CHARACTER EDUCATION AT IS SET UP TO BE…

VISIBLE!ON GOING!

DELIBERATE!EASY TO IMPLEMENT!

SUPPORTS PBIS INITIATIVE!

THE VALUES FOR THE YEAR ARE ON DISPLAY

EACH MONTH A DIFFERENT VALUE IS HIGHLIGHTED IN A HIGHLY VISIBLE SPOT.

ADDITIONAL DISPLAYS ENCOURAGING POSITIVE BEHAVIOR ARE VISIBLE

AND ON THE WALLS AT KEY POINTS IN THE BUILDING.

MONTHLY VALUE PACKETS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL TEACHERS.

THE PORTIONS OF THESE PACKETS THAT ARE CREATED BY

ME ARE ON THE BCPS SCHOOL COUNSELOR

AND SAFE SCHOOLS INTRANET

SITES.

WHAT TO TALK ABOUT

It is important that students realize the following about compassion ….Without compassionate people, this world would be a very sad place. Compassionate people go out of their way to help and to be kind to others.

Schools where students practice the value of compassion are wonderful places to work and learn. Let’s be one of those schools.

People who are compassionate…help others because you want to, not because you have to.

share with others.tell and show others that you care.

try to understand the feelings of others. show empathy towards another person.

recognize and show appreciation for others’ skills and talents.listen to others when they need someone to listen to them.

show kindness without expecting anything in return.recognize and help others that are less fortunate than themselves.

BOOKS TO READ & DISCUSS

PRE-K & KINDERGARTEN Because of You by B.G. HenneseyWhen I Care About Others by Cornelia Marde SpelmanNed, Fred and Friend: A Lesson in Compassion by Show You Understand: Learning about Compassion and Caring by Creative Teaching PressThe Country Bunny and the little Gold Shoes By Du Bose HeywardKindness Quilt by Nancy Elizabeth WallaceThe Goodness Gorilla by Lisa McCourt

FIRST GRADE William’s Doll by Charlotte ZolotowI Know a Lady by Charlotte ZolotowSidewalk Patrol by Larry Dane BrimmaKindness is Cooler by Margery CuylerSpiffiest Giant in Town by Julia DonaldsonDinduli by Janell Cannon The Best Night Out With Dad by Lisa McCourt

SECOND GRADECrazy Hair Day! by Barney SaltzbergThe English Roses by MadonnaBrand New Kid by Katie CouricHorton Hears a Who by Dr. SeussOrdinary Mary’s Extraodinary Deed Don’t Laugh At Me by Steve SeskinGlenna’s Seeds by Nancy EdwardsJamaica’s Blue Marker by Juanita Havill

THIRD GRADEMufaro’s Beautiful Daughter by John SteptoeLeprechaun’s Gold by Pamela EdwardsGold Fish and Chrysanthemums by Andrea ChengLast Chimney of Christmas Eve by Linda Oatman HighThe King of Kindness by Genie StokerThe Magic Crystal by Brigette WeningerMiss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

FOURTH GRADEAlia Waking by Laura McCaffreyThe City of Kind Words by Tory Victoria VincetStrunk Story (Watch Out for Joel) by Sigmund BrouwerThank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia PaloccoStevie by John SteptoeCranberry Autumn, Cranberry Christmas byWende Devlin

FIFTH GRADEBlack Beauty by Leigh Hope WoodThe Dream Bearer by Walter Dean MyersSecret Society of the left Hand by Dandy Daley McKallCompassion: The Story of Clara Burton by Deborah WoodworthLearning About Compassion From the Life of Florence NightangleBy Kiki Mosher

JOURNAL STARTERSA compassionate person …..I am compassionate in school when….I am compassionate at home when….A time when I really showed compassion was…I can show compassion to a new kid at school by…This weekend I practiced the value of compassion when ….Many people show compassion during the holiday season by….Today I plan to be compassionate by ….When someone in my family is sick, I show compassion for them by….An occupation where someone shows compassion is ______________. Workers in this occupation show compassion by ….If everyone in my class was compassionate towards others, we …If people in our world were more compassionate, our world ……I can show compassion to older people by ….I wish that I were more compassionate because …This holiday season I am going to be compassionate ...

THE VALUE OF COMPASSION

ACTIVITIESSOCIAL STUDIES•Read about either a historical person, or someone in today’s news who has demonstrated the value of compassion. Lead a discussion on how the students can incorporate this value in their own lives. •Watch the film clip, ‘Play It Forward’. Challenge your students to think up a similar project. •Discuss and/or write responses to the following quotes.

“The most important thing in life is to try to do the best for your neighbors.” By Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron“Love begins at home and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into what we do.” By Mother Teresa“To ease another’s heartache is to forget one’s own” by Abraham LincolnEvery now and then, without anyone knowing about it, do something kind for someone who needs it and doesn’t expect it. Things like that circulate the earth in invisible ways and make this planet a better place.” By Brett Butler“Care about people, not things. Remember that things can be replaced. People can’t” by Judith Crist.

LANGUAGE ARTS•Create individual or class lists identifying ways that each of us can show compassion towards others. •Have your student write a story or newspaper article about a compassionate person that they know. •Write a compassionate poem. •Have the students write their own compassionate quotes. •Create a class ‘Compassion from A to Z” book. •Have paper available for students to send compassionate notes to others. SCIENCE•Research and/or discuss ways that the work of scientists can have compassionate results. •Make a ‘T chart’ showing what various animals do to show compassion. READING/LITERATURE•Either discuss, or have the students write how various characters that they are reading about practice, or do not practice the value of compassion.•Have students search the newspaper for stories that pertain to compassion. •Have the students find and read a compassionate story. Let the students tell the class about this story.

MUSIC•Discuss how students can demonstrate the value of compassion when they watch others perform. •Talk about how musicians have used their talents to help others in need. •Have the students create a song about being compassionate. MATH•Challenge your class to collect the soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. First estimate how many pounds of tabs your class can collect. Every week, weigh the tabs. Make a bar graph, pictograph or another kind of graph showing what your class has collected. Compare your prediction with your class results. •Create a graph that illustrates all of the acts of compassion that your class participates in. PE•Discuss how being compassionate is included in the definition of being a good sport. •Challenge students to discover ways that professional athletes have used their wealth and status to help others.•Have the students complete tasks without using their sight, arms or legs. Process this activity with the students. Talk about what it must be like for individuals that are handicapped. You can take this further by doing a walk around the school to look for obstacles that those that are handicapped have to negotiate. ART

Have the students create compassionate posters. Have the students create cards, or small gifts to give to people who live at a nursing home. A friend of mine got together neighborhood children to make wreaths for the doors to hang up at a nursing home. Study various pieces of work where artists are promoting the idea of compassion.

TECHNOLOGY•Talk about internet bullying & how we need to show compassion for others in the way that we use the internet.OTHER

Use bulletin board paper to create a large cutout of a snowman shape. Every time that you catch someone being compassionate, give the student a cotton ball to glue on the snowman. See how long it will take to decorate the snowman.

LIBRARY•Using the biography section, point out books about various individuals who have practiced the value of compassion. •Talk about how each of us can practice care and compassion towards library books.

MATERIALS INCLUDE …

Information About The ValueDiscussion & Journal Starters

Books To ReadIdeas for Various

SubjectsAdditional Attached Items

An Offer To Assist With FindingOther Materials

DAILY MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS ON

THE VALUE OF THE MONTH AND CLOSELY RELATED TOPICS ARE PRESENTED TO THE

ENTIRE SCHOOL POPULATION EVERY

DAY.

November 19, 2008 The value for the month is Self-Discipline 

Someone who is self-disciplined is aware of their behavior at all times. Are you aware of your behavior? Tap your foot one time for each of the following that you do.  * Do you walk through the halls quietly so that you don’t disturb others who are trying to work?     * Do you raise your hand and wait to be called on ?   * Do you work quietly so that you do not disturb your neighbor? * Do you keep your hands, feet, objects and unkind words to yourself? * Do you listen to and follow the directions of your teachers?        * Do you always try to do your best?        I sincerely hope that you work hard to maintain your self-discipline at all times. Remember, be the best that you can be, practice the value of self-

discipline.  

Articles provide parents with information on suggestions for

talking about the values at home.

This information is placed in the

school’s monthly newsletter.

LESSONS AND/OR MINI DISCUSSIONS

WITH THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR ARE PRESENTED IN

THE CLASSROOMS, HALLWAYS, CAFETERIA, SMALL GROUP SETTINGS, ON

AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, ETC.

TERRIFIC KIDS AWARDS

• Teachers nominate 1 – 3 students each month to receive the award for that month’s value.

• Awards are presented during our quarterly awards’ assemblies or through whatever venues that individual schools decide on.

IN ADDITION TO THE CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM, PBIS IS A

POSITIVE ELEMENT THAT COINCIDES WITH CHARACTER

EDUCATION.

PBIS INFLUENCES• Numerous incentives are

presented year long to encourage positive values & behavior within the school environment.

• Assemblies are provided that encourage positive behavior.

• Teachers are supported as they work to create a positive learning experience for all children.

A Look at Chadwick Elementary’s Monthly Character Award Program

• Each month, teachers receive “character tickets” with that month’s specific character printed on the front.

• These tickets are used in conjunction with our “PBIS tickets” which are given out by Chadwick staff to all students on a daily basis.

And…

• Students are awarded with a ticket for exhibiting that month’s character trait (honesty, perseverance during MSA’s , etc.)

• Teachers collect/hold tickets in whichever way they choose, then turn them all in by the end of the month.

• At the beginning of the next month, one ticket is pulled for each grade/class and names are called over the announcements.

• Each student receives an award certificate, a pencil and lunch bunch with the counselor.

At Deer Park Elementary …

Students work hard to stay on green and to earn

tickets so that they can participate in numerous

special events and purchase items from their

classroom menus.

Examples of Activities

• Assemblies• Doing the Bunny Hop Down the Halls• Limbo in the Halls• Line Dancing in the Halls• March Madness• Celebrity Lunches• Deer Park in the Park• Group Races in the Halls

Examples of Menu Items

• Be the Line Leader• Sit in the Special Chair• Lunch with the Teacher• Help Mrs. Milli with her

Puppets• Participate in a Yoga Class • Choose Your Seat• Pick from the Prize Box• Extra Computer Time

By utilizing the ticket system …

Students come to fully understand each character trait and learn its

importance when given immediate reinforcement in real life situations.

By placing emphasis on Character Education …

we communicate our expectations not only in

school, but in other arenas as well, especially when no

one is looking!

PBIS Data Shows Where We Need To Improve in Teaching Values

• Looking at the PBIS data provides information on school initiatives to increase positive behavior.

• Example:– High number of referrals in fighting and

disrespect/insubordination would indicate a need to work harder at providing education on peace initiatives which would include looking closer at the values of respect, cooperation, kindness, self-control, courage, patience, tolerance, etc.

DATA DOESN’T SHOW EVERYTHING

Sometimes, it is what children say and do that tells the real story.

What are the children saying?

After hearing about a value, students are

requesting help so that they can improve in specific areas. For

example, while talking about the value of honesty, a fifth grader wrote me a

note stating that she needed lots of help to

become an honest person.

What have we heard students talking about?

Students have been heard incorporating terminology related

to the values discussed in their

classrooms.

What has been observed?

Students have been observed practicing the value of the month. For example, during

the month of December, many students were caught

being compassionate towards others. Why? They

stated that this was the month of compassion.

After completing announcements on Good Sportsmanship …

I had kindergarten and first grade students stopping me

in the hall to tell me that they were good sports

during Sports Day.

PBIS + CHARACTER EDUCATION + STRONG

LEADERSHIP + DEDICATED TEACHERS =

SUCCESS

• OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IN CLASSROOMS WHERE PBIS AND CHARACTER EDUCATION HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY IMPLEMENTED, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN OFFICE REFERALS, ESPECIALLY AMONGST STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN AT OUR PBIS SCHOOLS FOR 1+ YEARS.

• READING AND MATH MSA SCORES IN GRADES 3, 4 AND 5 HAVE INCREASED.

• DIBBLES AND OTHER SCORES HAVE INCREASED.

When teaching anything, including character education, one of the hardest things to remember

is that not everyone learns at the same rate. Some will immediately begin to practice the

values that we teach. For others, we need to be patient and to keep on persevering, and hopefully,

they will eventually get it.

As Winston Churchhill stated, “Never, never, never, never give up.”

REMEMBER, CHARACTER EDUCATION & PBIS ARE JUST TWO OF THE TOOLS THAT

WE CAN USE TO LIGHT THE WAY FOR OUR STUDENTS.