Young students can benefit when teachers address behavior in positive, rather than punitive, ways. This paper describes how one teacher stopped using punitive time outs and instead developed a program in which working together on learning and having class responsibilities was meaningful enough that instances of troublesome behavior would be…

A teacher shares her method of handling a student who was upsetting the class and the teacher. The method for one student became a new system that made all the students responsible for their own behavior. (MT)

The Positive Action Plan at Jefferson (Oregon) Elementary School uses sets of rules and positive and negative consequences to encourage students to take responsibility for their own behavior. Students follow a checklist of proper behaviors to win self-management badges. A copy of the checklist is provided. (RW)

Describes objectives and activities of a humane education program to teach kindergarten students to respect animals. Activities include daily manners practice, observation of nature, bringing animals to the classroom, field trips, and organizing a be kind to animals week. For journal availability, see SO 505 454. (Author/DB)

Schools in Alberta, Canada are trying to create environments that promote respect and responsibility in students and staff while providing an opportunity for students to meet required academic standards. The background of the Safe and Caring Schools Initiative is discussed. This program, which tries to reduce disruptive behavior and improve…

This article presents activities to help teachers explore the issue of tattling and help students learn when to tell and when to work it out themselves. Both activities require several 20-minute periods in which teachers explain the issue and involve students in discussions of appropriate behavior and responses. (SM)

Compared to grade 8 students in intermediate schools, grade 8 students in K-8 schools are more involved with school activities and assume greater responsibility for those activities. K-8 schools apparently serve the needs of young adolescents better than intermediate schools. (SB)

With input from administrators, teachers, students, parents, and other parish members, a Catholic elementary school developed a comprehensive discipline program around the themes of respect, spirituality, and responsibility. The program was evaluated over one year. Surveys indicated that parents, teachers, and students had positive perceptions of…

Focusing on failure experiences, two studies explored the attributions of self-blame and responsibility and the motivational patterns of avoidance and increased diligence in elementary and middle school students. In the first study, 298 third through sixth grade students and 396 sixth through eighth grade students completed a self-report…

The student handbook was developed for use with students who intend to particpate in the Environmental Education Outdoor School Program in Santa Barbara County, California. After the form for the student to complete with personal information, i.e., name, school, etc., the handbook begins with a letter to the students, welcoming them to the…

Discusses six proactive strategies to help teachers improve classroom discipline: (1) move around the room; (2) teach social skills; (3) have a sense of humor; (4) don't personalize unruly behavior; (5) look for causes of discipline problems; and (6) promote student responsibility. (SM)

Describes a framework of techniques teachers used to manage elementary physical education students and foster pupil self-control. Audiotapes and interviews resulted in development of the Physical Education Pupil Control Inventory. Facilitating self-control involved selecting tutorial control techniques, using indirect technique forms, and…

Evaluated an in-school mentoring program for underserved elementary students that emphasized personal and social responsibility (self-control, respect, effort, participation, self-direction, and helping others). Student interviews and teacher and mentor journals indicated that students were able to apply the goal of effort to classroom learning…

This study investigated the possibility of identifying groups of basic educational attitudes of preservice elementary education majors who had few field experiences prior to their taking upper level education courses. The attitudes investigated pertained to beliefs about classroom management, student trust, and teacher discipline. Through factor…

The Spanish language version of the student handbook was developed for use with Spanish speaking students who intend to particpate in the Environmental Education Outdoor School Program in Santa Barbara County, California. After the form for the student to complete with personal information, i.e., name, school, etc., the handbook begins with a…