CHARACTER COUNTS AT COULSON TOUGH
HABIT OF THE WEEK:
Along with each pillar, our weekly “habits” are taught and reinforced through KTUF and classroom teachers. These habits, based on Ron Clark’s Essential 55, give students an idea of what each pillar looks like, sounds like, and feels like.
GOLDEN TICKETS
Students are able to earn a golden ticket if they are “caught” exhibiting one of the character traits. These tickets can be given by teachers, support staff, or even each other. Drawings are made weekly in the classroom and building-wide for a variety of rewards. All students are able to receive tickets and rewards.
SPOTLIGHT ON CHARACTER
Each month homebase teachers will choose one student who exhibits that character trait consistently or who has made a difference in their classroom. This particular honor is celebrated by a brief program which parents are invited to attend. Our 6th Grade Ambassadors will read comments from their homebase teacher that explains why they were chosen. Students will then be presented a certificate that is signed by the principal and has their teacher’s comments written on it. One day each month, we celebrate that month’s character trait by wearing the color of the pillar. The color of the pillar helps remind students of what the pillar stands for (i.e. Respect is yellow/gold to remind us of the “golden rule”). This is a great visual of what an impact we all have individually and together if we all “show our true colors” each day.
AMBASSADORS:
Each classroom teacher will choose one boy and one girl each semester to represent their classroom as an ambassador. As the name implies, ambassadors help new students and visitors feel welcome to the classroom/building. They also help to promote the character program and spirit days throughout the year.
In grades 2-6, the ambassadors receive additional "upstander" training to help prevent bullying situations from occurring.
SOCIAL CONTRACTS:
Teachers and staff have been trained to implement a social contract with their classrooms. This agreement between students and teachers outlines how they would like to be treated and how they will treat others. All parties then sign the contract, which illustrates their commitment. This powerful tool, from The Responsive Classroom, is posted in each room and can be revisited when needed.
MORNING MEETINGS:
In addition to the Responsive Classroom Social Contracts, classrooms are implementing some form of “classroom meetings”. These meetings may differ according to age and format, but they all focus on 4 main components: greeting by name, sharing, group activity, and announcements/news for the day. These meetings are brief but powerful ways for classrooms to build trust and safety within the group, which research shows, is critical for learning to occur.
KELSO CONFLICT RESOLUTION:
Kelso's Choices is a conflict-management curriculum based on the premise that every child is capable of peacefully resolving many small conficts. Designed around Kelso the Frog, this program offers nine options students can choose from to resolve "small problems" on their own. Students will be able to determine the difference between "small problems" they can handle and "big problems" that require an adult’s help. Any problems that are “scary, dangerous, or hasn’t been solved after trying 2 steps” are considered “big problems”. Although true bullying behavior is ALWAYS considered a “big problem”, this program gives students tools to use to resolve many smaller conflicts that could potentially lead to more serious issues. Posters and visuals are scattered throughout the building to help remind students of what to do and guidance lessons will review the steps for grades K-3.
