Creating a Positive and Caring School Culture

1. Creating a Positive and Caring School Culture Karen Frost Positive Discipline Trainer Chalker Elementary School

2. Warm-Up Activity

3. What would you do if you knew you would be getting this student in your class? Adam’s mother was reported to have been a drug addict and left him in the hospital when he was born. He was placed in several foster homes before being adopted. In Kindergarten, he missed 18 days and was tardy 11 times. He received “Help Needed” grades. In first grade, he was absent 11 days (9 were truancies). He repeated first grade and was absent 33 days and tardy 19 times. He was suspended 12 times for four separate incidents…threatening other students, fighting, exposing himself in class, bullying. In second grade, he missed 36 days and had six incidences for classroom disruption, bullying, and vandalism. He received “Improvement Needed” grades. In third grade, Adam had 4 behavioral incidences…2 for sexual harassment, and 2 for physical assault/battery of another student. He was suspended 22 days prior to being put up for expulsion. “Adam and another student threw students to the ground, kicked them, and shoved them into walls and fences, causing their mouths to bleed and swell.” He took Concerta for ADHD. Adam displayed oppositional behavior and said it makes him mad when people tell him to do things he does not want to do. Adam stated when being evaluated by the school psychologist that he thinks most teachers are mean. In third grade, Adam was out of school 59 days due to Out-of-school suspension. His mother passed away five days ago and he has come to live with his sister, whom he calls “auntie”. He will be entering your classroom on Monday.

4. Positive Discipline Philosophy (Based onAdlerian Philosophy) • Primary goal of all people-Belonging and Significance • Mutual Respect • Social Interest/Community Feeling • Encouragement • Kindness and Firmness at the same time • Belief behind the behavior • Belief system guides all choices and actions • Short term vs. long term discipline • Mistakes are wonderful opportunities to learn

5. What characteristics and skills do you think children will need in order to be happy, contributing, and successful members of society?

6. Three Empowering Perceptions • I am capable • I contribute in meaningful ways, and I am genuinely needed. • I use my personal power to make choices that influence what happens to me and my community.

7. Four Essential Skills • I have self-discipline and self-control. • I can work respectfully with others. • I understand how my behavior effects others. • My judgment skills and wisdom are improving through daily practice.

8. Pieces of Positive Discipline… Creating a Caring Atmosphere PD ManagementTools Class Meetings P-T-S Conferences Four Mistaken Goals Using Encouragement T-H-T Problem Solving

9. Cooperative Juggling Activity

10. Building Block Forming a Circle • Quickly • Quietly • Safely

11. Building Block Practice Compliments and Appreciations • Starts meeting on a positive note • Have students think about a time when someone said something that made them feel good about themselves • Choose someone to share something they are working to improve and have someone compliment them for their effort

12. Building Block Create an Agenda • Set up a notebook for agenda items. • Students and teacher can write their concerns during the day • Young children may write their name on the agenda and then explain during the meeting • Wheel of Choice

13. Apologize Walk Away Shake Hands and Take Turns Class Meeting Go to Another Game Use Am “I” Message Count to Ten to Cool Off Tell Them to Stop

14. Building Block Develop Communication Skills • Effective Listening Skills • Taking Turns • “I” Statements or “Bugs & Wishes” • No insults, no “put downs”

15. “I” Statements“Bugs” and “Wishes” “I felt angry because_____, and I wish ________.” “It bugs me when ______, and I wish _________.”

16. Building Block Learning About Separate Realities • Respect differences • Understand each other • Have empathy, tolerance, and compassion

17. “It’s a Jungle Out There”

18. “It’s a Jungle Out There” Why We Want to Be the Lion Why We Didn’t Choose Eagle Turtle Chameleon

19. Building Block Recognize the Four Reasons People Behave the Way They Do Why do students behave they way they do?

20. Mistaken Goals of Behavior • Attention: I belong only when I have your attention. • Power: I belong only when I’m winning, or at least when I don’t let you win. • Revenge: It hurts that I don’t belong, but at least I can hurt back. • Assumed inadequacy: I give up. It is impossible to belong.

21. Identifying Mistaken Goals If you are feeling…

22. “When children feel encouraged (belonging and significant), their need to misbehave will disappear.” Jane Nelsen

23. Building Block Practice Role-Playing and Brainstorming • Sometimes discussion is enough • Sometimes students do not understand because they haven’t had experience • Brainstorming ideas and eliminating those that are not respectful or practical

24. Building Block Applying Logical Consequences and Other Solutions • The Three R’s • Related • Respectful • Reasonable (Must be helpful to the person.)

25. “Where did we ever get the crazy idea that to make people do better, we first have to make them feel worse? People do better when they feel better!”

26. Chalkboard Jungle Activity

27. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Maya Angleou

28. Mock Class Meeting

29. Adam