Classroom Character Development Idea

Encourage kind and considerate classroom behavior and teach the benefits of positive relationships with the concept of filling a bucket.  Check out this site for a description, pictures, and specifics, of how to implement this in your classroom.

If you like the idea and want access to more bucket filling materials, check out this link.

Think Sheets

Sometimes it's necessary for students to take a break before behavior escalates, or to process their actions after an incident.  Check out these different "think sheets" to use for both situations.  The only caution is NOT to use them when the student is escalated.  After completed, thank them, and welcome the student back to class for a fresh start.   

Visual Think Sheet:  (Non-Readers)  Uses icons with words

Try Again Ticket: (Elementary) Fits perfectly with PBIS schools/classrooms using the terms, Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.

Terrific Ticket:  (Elementary)  Works with the Try Again Ticket as a way to reinforce the behaviors you want to see. 

Incident Report: (Elementary, Primary) 

Incident Report: (Elementary, Primary) this form is like the one above, with the addition of the child marking what rule they followed as well as what rule they broke.

Behavior Reflection: (Elementary)

Think Sheet 1:  (Upper Elementary-Middle School) 

Think Sheet 2:  (Upper Elementary-Middle School) 

Think Sheet 3:  (Upper Elementary-Middle School)

 

Think Sheet- Are You In Control?:  (Upper Elementary-High School)

Break/Calm Down Sheet:  (Upper Elementary-High School)

Think Sheet Checklist:  (Upper Elementary-High School)  This form is quick to fill out, and is great for students who have difficulty writing.  It's geared toward students who have difficulty managing their anger.  It will require some quick pre-teaching skills of what some of the terms mean.  Teach them that the answer to the question, "Who is responsible for my anger", will always be "ME". This gets at the heart of the students owning their feelings and learning that all feelings are okay, it's our actions that may not be okay. 

 Thinking About My behavior:  (Middle-High School)

Become a Problem Solver:  (Middle-High School)

Behavior Reflection:  (Middle-High School)

Understand How Feelings Affect Behavior:  (Middle-High School)

3 Chances for Students to Gain Self Control

The technique outlined in this *PowerPoint is wonderful to use class-wide, as a way to manage those low level, daily disruptions that can really drive you crazy.  The PowerPoint is written as the tool to present the technique to your class.  I've added in some notes on the slides that explain how this is used.  They also serve as tips of what to say when presenting to your class.  There are 2 debriefing forms at the end to choose from for different levels.

*Adapted from Greg Benner, University of Washington-Tacoma

Verbal Responses to Teasing

Use the idea below to teach kids some ways to respond to teasing.   
*adapted from Thomas Walsh's documents on Broadmoor Technical Center site

Verbal Jujutsu!  Heiiii Yah! Or how to defend against teasing.

Jujutsu, literally meaning the "art of softness", is a Japanese martial art consisting of techniques that were developed around the principle of using an attackers energy against him, rather than directly opposing it, thereby protecting both the attacker and the artful defender.  

Remember, only the weak feel the need to tease.

Ambivalent Responses:

• So? So what?
• Who Cares?
• Oh well.
• That's cool.
• Whatever.
• What do you mean?
• Maybe.

Assertive Responses:

• And your point is? 
• Thank you.
• Good one.
• I don't have time for this.
• I'd respond, but I can associate with you.
• That's your opinion.
• I don't appreciate your remark.
• A lady/gentleman never responds to unkind remarks.
• That doesn't bother me.
• Why would you want to say something like that?

  Silly Responses (throw them off gaurd)

• Is that from a movie?
• What do you mean?
• Interesting you think that way.
• What gave you that impression?
• I don't speak your lingo.
• Oh yeah?  Well okay then.
• I'd sling mud back, but I don't want to mess up my clothes.
• The measure of a person is their ability to ignore negativity. 
• Can you say that 3 times fast?
• My mom taught me better than to say those things. 
• We'll have to agree to disagree.
• I'd argue with you, but I'd be late for my basket weaving class.