Welcome to the Teaching Character Chatboard!

by Bob Reap (Teachers.Net)

Jun 20, 2011

Welcome to the Teaching Character Chatboard. This chatboard is for teachers to discuss strategies, issues, and lesson plans for teaching character in the classroom.

Bookmark this resource and contribute often!

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Jace's Mom On 6/21/11, Teri wrote: > On 6/21/11, hals wrote: >> I also agree that the way we (staff) behave can set the >> overall tone for the school. Teacher verbal and body >> language can make such a difference. Students are so quick >> to pick up on our character and following the rules. One >> issue in particular has bee...See More

Jun 21, 2011

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meep This should be interesting! I'm curious to find out what other schools (particularly difficult inner-city schools) do to help develop character traits in students. I'm soooo tired of character counts. It doesn't work, at least everywhere I've seen it! I'm curious to see what else is out there.

Jun 21, 2011

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Rewarding behavior is all well and good, but at some point, the incentive of a prize must be moved forward to doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do, not because you are going to get a prize or a star.

Noticing and handing out tickets is the easy part. How many years of handing out prizes and tickets do we do before moving students forward...See Moreis all well and good, but at some point, the incentive of a prize must be moved forward to doing the right thing because it's the right thing to do, not because you are going to get a prize or a star.

Noticing and handing out tickets is the easy part. How many years of handing out prizes and tickets do we do before moving students forward in their self-regulatory development? This is where I think we have problems. And, this is the hard part because it takes time, observation, discussion,… time we may not feel we have to spare, so these extrinsic types of rewards go on for far too long, which in turns reinforces the fact that they will be rewarded for doing what is expected. Isn't this the very thing we want to move the students away from.

The fact that the man in your story felt you were well behaved and commented on it was your reward (along with your father's high expectations) and reinforced your behavior, not the potential reward of a dollar. I applaud your wise father's actions.

Of course students WANT tangible rewards, but what they NEED is to become self regulating.

On 6/21/11, Kathy Morlan wrote: > Yes, PBIS is the same as PBS. We too hand out tickets > for positive behavior. > I don't know about it being silly. When I was 5, my > sister and brother 7 & 4, my dad took us to a fantastic > restaurant. A man came over on his way out and told my > dad that he was ready to get up and leave when he saw > us come in, but that he was glad he stayed - he was so > impressed with our behavior that he wanted to give us > each a dollar (4 candy bars back then). My father > refused to let him because our behavior was what was > expected. Just that offer of a reward made us proud and > reinforced our good behavior. So if I see a kid pick up > trash in the hall, or help another student pick up > his/her fallen books, I want to tell that student what > a great thing he had done. In the beginning of the > year, I snatch up 10 tickets and hand them out to the > first students who come in, sit down, and start on > their warm-up. For that student who comes to class from > the far reaches of the school, I give him one for > making it before the bell. (during the last 5 minutes > of my planning, I go to the far reaches and see how > much trouble I have getting there for class) I think > also that the rewards for the kids need to be often. > For example, if you get 2 tickets, you can > "buy" a mini-candy bar. If you make it > available on a weekly basis, the gratification is not > severly delayed. If you get 10 tickets, you can buy 2 > slices of pizza on a monthly basis. Or chart it in the > classroom with gold stars for a prize at the end of the > quarter. I know my kids want/need that reinforcement > that someone has caught them being good. > > On 6/21/11, Teri wrote: >> Is PBIS the same thing as PBS (positive behavior >> support)? I have to say I think my school's PBS >> program is a bit silly. We hand out tickets to kids >> for doing what they are supposed to be doing anyway. >> And I haven't seen that it changes much. The kids who >> get the tickets seem to mostly be the kids who would >> behave anyway.

Jun 22, 2011

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Terry I totally disagree with the comment that teachers should be using their cell phones during class time. We are supposed to be role models for students; therefore using cell phones during class time is not setting a good example. Students need to realize that there are different standards for adults and children but we still must model character and ...See MoreI totally disagree with the comment that teachers should be using their cell phones during class time. We are supposed to be role models for students; therefore using cell phones during class time is not setting a good example. Students need to realize that there are different standards for adults and children but we still must model character and behavior. Sports stars used to be role models for students and now they are more self-absorbed about money and illegal activities. The opportunities for students to have good role models are dwindling--teachers need to be at the top of the list.

Terry

On 6/21/11, Jace's Mom wrote: > On 6/21/11, Teri wrote: >> On 6/21/11, hals wrote: >>> I also agree that the way we (staff) behave can set the >>> overall tone for the school. Teacher verbal and body >>> language can make such a difference. Students are so quick >>> to pick up on our character and following the rules. One >>> issue in particular has been a sore spot for us - staff on >>> their cell phones! Anyone else have areas that seem to be >>> contradictions or in need of improvement (staff >>> character/behavior)? >>> >>> >> I am in complete agreement about the cell phones. I think it is >> totally ridiculous that so many teachers have their cell phones >> out--and use them, if not to talk than to text/FB/etc.--when the >> school's policy forbids student cell phones to be on during >> school hours. If I were a parent, I wouldn't like hearing that >> my child's teacher was on FB during class time. If we're >> telling students that they can live without their cell phones >> during school hours, then teachers should be able to live >> without theirs too. > > > While I agree that there's absolutely no reason whatsoever for a > teacher to be posting to Facebook during school hours, I don't agree > that rules and standards have to be the same for adults as for > students. No abuse of technology belongs in the school, but adults > with cell phones does not equate with students with cell phones, > unless the adult is neglecting his or her own responsibilities. > > Students may aspire to growing into the rights and privileges of > being an adult. They aren't entitled to all of those rights and > privileges from birth.

Jun 22, 2011

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Kathy M You have given me something to think about. Too many times I see adults ask "what's in it for me?" I do want students who question that adult's values. But how do you get the student there

Jun 23, 2011

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