REAL: Respect and Value all Individuals
(LMU Conceptual Framework, 2009)
RESPECT: A LIFE SKILL
Respect permeates the education field as we meet and encounter a big population of students, parents, community members, and colleagues. In my classroom, respect plays a large part in our classroom environment. Class collaboration, in addition to cooperative learning groups and pairings, have been important parts of my instruction. During certain lessons, students are given opportunities to work with one another on an assignment or project. This takes a great amount of respect to listen to peers, agree, or even disagree with them. Class collaboration and peer groups are effective ways to build community and deepen respect for one another. Students have opportunities to hear each other and find dignity in each of their peers. Respect is a life skill that cannot be taught as a textbook lesson; it must be taught with direct experiences and encounters in daily life.
CHARACTER COUNTS! PROGRAM
At St. Mary School, we use the Character Counts! program to encourage the growth of students with good character. Students who demonstrate respect, responsibility,
trustworthiness, care, fairness, and overall good citizenship are praised
daily. Students can earn Character Counts! coupons and redeem them for prizes.
This system has been an effective motivator to encourage students to treat others
with kindness and respect. This program also gives recognition to those
students who are not typically recognized for their academics or extra
curricular activities. By acknowledging their good character, students are affirmed for their good qualities and behaviors. When students are valued and respected, they can find success in the classroom.
ANNUAL CLASS RETREATS
The retreat theme for Third Grade was centered on Respect in Friendships. In the pictured activity, students were asked to write "Jesus" on one side of their heart and describe how Jesus is a friend to them. Then students were asked to write their name on the opposite side. After writing their name, students were asked to walk around and write how their classmates were friends to them. Each student went home with a heart, showing their special traits and gifts as friends. Students left the retreat learning how to be a more respectful to one another and to acknowledge the traits of each classmate, whether they were friends or not.
2010-2011 CLASS COVENANT
Respect is a necessary and important part of our class.
At the beginning of the year, our class created a class covenant
that outlined our expectations and several procedures for the school year.
Once it was completed, the students and I signed our names,
signifying our agreement to follow and live out these expectations throughout the year.
At the beginning of the year, our class created a class covenant
that outlined our expectations and several procedures for the school year.
Once it was completed, the students and I signed our names,
signifying our agreement to follow and live out these expectations throughout the year.