Our fifth graders have been working on making good behavior a habit with the 21 day challenge. The results have been remarkable. Fifth grade is also creating examples of each of the 7 Habits. Check out our photo montage in the hall across from Mr. Holloway's office.
Please share your success stories. Learning from each other is the best way to keep the momentum going!
23 comments:
I am so proud of our 5th graders. They took the 21 day challenge to form a new habit of being quiet in the hall and did a great job. More than 50% of the students were succesful! Although we had several students who struggled with it, we did not become discouraged. The majority of the students were on board and it shows.
As I guide my students through the 7 Habits principles, I have noticed that I am changing too. I am more consistent and feel more connected with my students.
Watching students take responsibility for themselves is fasinating to see. There is not a lot of the blame game anymore, because the students have been informed who really is in charge- themselves! :)I think that the display that we have in our hallway showing real examples of students that all the students know and interact with daily is a relative way to show students that we are all in this together and it can be done!
Reed
At the end of Chapter 8 Beth Sharpe, the principal at English Estates talks about a keeping implementation fresh. She has her staff revisit their leadership strategy monthly. I think this is important in the change process of the staff. They have to buy into the changes just like the students and parents. By revisiting it once a month it stays with the staff. I really liked the idea of inviting other schools to your campus to show them how the 7 habits are implemented in our school. As this principal states it keeps the staff accountable and allows them to move to the next level.
I agree with Karen that the hallway challenge was a huge success. The students also understand that just because the challenge is over, their behavior must continue.
The 5th graders have also been working to prepare the garden for the dedication, and the synergy out their has been great to see. Even with the smell, the students didn't complain, but got out there and got the work done in a responsible way. Several students really showed their leadership by respectfully taking charge and most of the students were very proactive in switching jobs when too many people were in one place. They even took turns so that everyone got a chance to do the "fun" stuff.
Michelle
Some of my students have been checking online for their weekly spelling words/assignments before i even give them out to the class! They get their homework done and study over the weekend to be prepared for the test on Friday. They are starting to learn that having a plan and putting first things first has a positive payoff!
Ginger
As I walk the halls picking up students during the day, there has been a noticeable change in the
4th/5th/gym hallway. The noise levels are low and I am able to WALK through the hallways. It had become a challenge to maneuver through the halls lined with our students. I give the teachers and students praise for their efforts.
I am so proud of our kids at David E. Smith. I know we've had a few "hard" Thursday/Fridays here lately...and I think they feel hard for us because all our other days are so good. It's not just them living up to expectations set for them...it's the modeling and support provided by the excellent faculty that keeps this process going and successful.
Personally, I appreciate how I can speak common language with the students when they come to see me for poor choices. I've been able to communicate with the students on a heart-to-heart basis much more than just an administrator-to-student basis.
Honestly, I am incredibly inspired as a leader to work with the fabulous staff and students through this growth process. I am touched by our teachers's hearts and examples. Slow and steady wins the race.
As we go through the habits in the classroom I am amazed to hear my students using some of the terms in their everyday talk. Our main focus has been being responsible for ourselves. Because we have focuses on being responsible for ourselves I have found that discipline issues are resolving themselves.
The biggest success I see in the classroom is a result of the first two habits and an example of true understanding of them. We are able to work in a more relaxed atmosphere that allows students to feel comfortable. It might be hanging out on the couch and rug discussing vocabulary or working in groups on math problems. Prior to their understanding of the habits such an atmosphere would have resulted in chaos and behavior issues, although to someone walking in it may seem unconventional the assessments show they are mastering concepts. All in all it makes for a much more relaxed day!
Lisa
Way to go 5th grade! We can definitely tell that you lines are much quieter! =)
We are using this strategy to continue working on all of our daily procedures. I am seeing a great deal of improvement!
My classroom is across the hall from the library and music room. I have noticed the noise level in the hall is much better. Way to go 5th grade!!
Jerrye
I think that the kids do well when their teacher is around. The next step is getting them to do this while they are alone.
Kindergarten students have been discussing how important it is to learn your letters and sounds in order to learn to read. We talk the talk: Begin with the End in Mind. Those that are beginning to sound out words are the true believers at this point. This habit means something to them.
It's a highlight to think ahead of what next year will already be like with a majority of the students already being aware of the habits.
Karen Tassone
I appreciate that so many of you are highlighting the fact that this process will take time, even years. Patience on the part of the adults is definitely a key factor in making this work long term.
I would first like to congratulate the fifth graders for a job well done. It makes a big difference, even in something like no talking in the hallway! I also love all of the pictures and habits that have been posted on the new board in the hallway :)
I know personally in my classroom we have been working on some similar things. My kids are responsible when I am around, but if I am not around, then the best decisions aren't always made. Like walking in the hallway or lunch, they should behave whether I'm there or not. It is a very slow process, but one part that I really enjoy seeing is when the kids help others be responsible and do the right thing. Those few that help "patrol" the class will eventually help the others remember what to do and how to act even when the techer is not looking. However, what we are trying to steer away from is tattle telling and just being mature, responsible students. It may take years, but I really believe that as long as the students are reminded of the habits each year, and it is consitantly taught to them, then eventually it will all come together and we will have helped create some truly amazing adults!
Kirby
I want to brag on 5th grade for being leaders on their Camp El Tesoro trip. The bus I was on I was with a group of well behaved students. They took it among themselves to be quite as the bus approched the railroad tracks. It was one of the better bus rides I've had in a while.
DeeDra
The common language is a plus for me, too. Being able to remind them of the habits seems less like nagging and more like encouraging them. The "do the right thing when no one is looking" is difficult for kids, but I have walked into classes this year where that was happening more often than in the past.
I like the 7 Habits board across from Holloway's office. My kids always like to look at whatever is in the hallway, and this board provides teaching moments as they look for their friends in the pictures.
My students are starting to understand that we are not just giving them work to keep them busy. They are realizing that we have a "goal in mind"-to help them become better readers. They are starting to set goals themselves.
My students are talking the talk and some are walking the walk. Mine still tattle (their 1st graders), but the words are a little different. It's "I can't learn because he is talking" or "she is not being in charge of herself." It will take time for them to internalize these habits. I certainly don't have them down yet. But, with persistence and consistency we will see results.
As I have said before...LIM fits great into the approach for transitional students in my classroom. The language we use integrates well. My students are acheiving their goals more quickly because they have the drive to reach the end of the day on a good note! We strive to "keep the end in mind"!
The best example of being proactive at camp... we are all laying in bed... really tired.. Michelle, Karen, and Deedra had all told the girls to go to sleep. About 5 minutes later, the girls were still chatting and giggling and we heard one say, "HEY... BE PROACTIVE.. GO TO SLEEP"! haha. Great.
My kindergarten class is at the begining of the Seven Habits. However, they are very intrigued and what to learn more. They hear some key phrases on the morning announcements and get so excited because it is familiar to them, they feel connected. It will take us time to get our class where we need to be but we'll get there.
Flippin
Peer contact will always work. Younger students will follow what the older students do. If we can make the 5th Graders understand that they are the leaders of the students, then maybe they will feel the responsibility "to do the right thing". The teacher can say things 7 different ways, but the way it is learned is observing an older child that they think is "cool". We need to remember to empower the 4th & 5th grade students.
Sallye
Post a Comment