Discovery Program

1. Discovery Program The Discovery Program is a District approved teaching tool to help students to learn positive and cooperative behaviors. Several parts of the program will be utilized throughout the high school:  Attending Skills, The Six P’s, and Tribal Ruleswith Group and Team Skills.

2. Attending skills

3. Being in the Moment • Actively engaged (focused and listening )in lessons, discussions, and meetings. • Minds are not wandering to what is for lunch or what to do when they get home • Any problems or issues are “left at the door” so that students can concentrate solely on the subject being discussed. • If there is a serious problem, let me know early before class begins

4. Appropriate Body Language (or Listening Positions) • Posture is very important to attention and listening skills. • Five points to Listening Positions: • Sit up straight – feet on the floor under the desk, chair pulled in, and all four feet of the chair touching the floor • Empty Hands on Desk • Eyes on the Speaker – student speaker or teacher • Remain quiet • Actively listen

5. Appropriate Eye Contact • Eye to eye, or, in the very least, eye to face or lips when not writing notes • Eye contact is important in communication • Not “staring down,” rolling eyes, laying your head down, or looking around.

6. Appropriate Feedback • Responses are on-topic, genuine, authentic, and students best effort! • Raise your hands • Never yell out responses, especially if someone else is talking

7. Questions to Clarify or Validate • The questions should be a specific inquiry • It is the student’s responsibility to state when they are unclear about a topic

8. The Six P’s

9. Prompt – • Arrive to class on-time – sit silently, working on the opener while attendance is taken (students should be in class before the bell, but not necessarily in seats) • Return to class from library, restroom, etc. in a timely manner • Transition quickly from one activity to the next • Turn work in on-time

10. Prepared – • Come to school ready to learn. • Paper, sharpened pencil, pen -blue or black- and binder on desk (always have agenda on hand) • Homework completed and ready to turn in • Prepare your bodies with proper sleep, hygiene, and food (remember/respect class rules concerning food).

11. Polite– • Treat all students and staff respectfully (respect others’ opinions – realize your actions effect others) • Polite words include “Please”, “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” “I’m sorry,” and “Pardon me.” (the Golden Rule) • It also includes calling others by their proper name • Raising your hand and waiting to be called upon (don’t talk over others) • Bullying, gossip, and any other dehumanizing or demoralizing behavior will not be tolerated (don’t snap at others, don’t talk about others, no hurtful words, don’t be a hater, respect others’ belongings)

12. Positive Mental Attitude – • Maintain a positive attitude in class. (No complaining, whining, or groaning about work and be positive about the work you do - Say “I can do this”– give positive feedback – don’t be a grouch –Don’t make others suffer because you’re in a bad mood) • Every attempt should be made to leave issues and problems at the door and walk into class committed to trying your best (try to smile and have a high self esteem) • If something you can’t just leave at the door has happened, let me know and we’ll work something out

13. Participate – • Actively participate in classroom discussions with relevant talk as well as with partner or group work (stand up and voice your opinion – give feedback during discussions – volunteer) • Always try your best/be alert and actively engaged in your classroom community (always work with and be active with your groups – listen to and follow directions – Listen to others when they are speaking) • No Sleeping!!!! • ????? ask questions (if you don’t understand, ask)

14. Produce – • Complete, on your own, and turn in all assignments (in class and homework – be able to give a relevant opinion of what is being discussed) • You will be expected to always turn in your best product (try your best – you won’t always be right, but at least try – don’t just slop stuff down, try your best)

15. Tribal Rules

16. Tribal rules • Desks Touch • Introduce Self • Use Names • Attending Skills maintained in group • Wah Space – Don’t interfere with other groups – Your group should maintain it’s own “bubble”

17. Group or Team Skills – • Negotiating • Listening • Having Empathy • Having Tolerance • Persevering • Maintaining a Work Ethic • Understanding Group Dynamics

18. Sample Script • Teacher:  JT, how are your attending skills? • Student:  Not good • Teacher: Can you fix it? • Student: Yes • Teacher : Thank you that’s 1 • If they say good, the teacher will respond, “ I disagree.  May I speak with you in the hall please.”

19. Script and Redirect Rules • 4 Redirects total • 3rd redirect = hallway conference • During the conference, the rest of the class should stay on task/talk very quietly • 4th redirect = problem solving with administration/CEO • Tardy to class = tardy write-up and 1 redirect • Phones used inappropriately = phone taken/sent to office and 1 redirect • Cussing/insubordination toward teacher or student is outside of the redirect system and = discipline referral/sent to office