Resources around Punishments in Classrooms – BUT First Things First

There is an array of programs and resources that educators, teachers and even parents can use to help combat inappropriate behaviors in classrooms and I’ve pondered on this even to the point of dealing with bullying behaviors however minor, but I’ve come to the conclusion that we must begin at the core.

Children need to know that when they disrupt the learning environment, they not only stop the learning of their classmates (who they should care about), but they halt their own learning and academic progress.

I’ve been “toying” with this for some time. How can we plant a deep-seeded sense of empowerment within children while also working towards remorse, care, consideration and concern for others? When children possess empowerment and “in control responsible behaviors” they are keener to display behaviors more in line with what teachers and parents want to see in our schools.

I tried to work on this by publishing two journals. I am hoping that if children begin to care for self-first, they will care for others, thus negative and inappropriate behaviors will begin to decline in our classroom and schools.

Below is a description of why I’ve developed and written these two journals.

The DIVERSITY DAYBOOK was designed for students to journal about their individuality and special qualities that makes them unique and worthy as citizens in our diverse society. Diversity is important in our society because it helps children unlearn stereotypes.

This daybook will also sanction students to establish lifelong relationships while esteeming the values and significance of others for years to come.

Students cannot all be alike. There are differences as well as similarities among them. As students begin to acknowledge, accept and share their differences and similarities one to another they will begin to come to terms with diversity.

As a mother, educator and author, it is important for me to see children learning about each other in healthy respectful ways. In fact, the rich colors of this text depict how rich, colorful and diverse we are as a people.

Once students have completed their Diversity Daybooks, hopefully you and I will see more healthy relationships, as well as a decline in bullying behaviors in our nation’s schools. Whether we want to admit it or not, children are afraid of difference and not all children are accepting of each other whether these behaviors are learned or acquired as time goes on. Either way, difference is one of the reasons that we see negative and/or inappropriate behaviors rising in classrooms. Children must learn to get along and respect one another.

Diversity Daybook: Journal

https://tsw.createspace.com/title/3757400

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Diversity+Daybook

 

The AfFiRmAtIoN DaYbOoK was designed as a tool so that children can journal about their inspirations. Affirmations will build positive empowerment within children. I maintain that affirmations and the use of self-fulfilling prophecy techniques can change the focus of what children do, what they want to do, or what they hope to do.

It is my intent that students will journal, and then voice and declare with great conviction their journey and status in life. By doing so, children will have heightened, unbreakable, self-esteem and self-confidence. Building a child’s self-esteem and confidence is essential for maintaining deep inner strength and authority in their lives.

Affirmation – a developing powerful positive mindset. Positive thinking that will manifest positive life changes. Tell your children that they will become _____________ and they will. Tell your children they are smart and they will own up to their name. Affirmations are voiced, or written to confirm and announce who they are, what they are, and what they want to do and/or become in life. Affirmations are tools of creative faith and strong certainty that are believed to be true by the individual.

Self-fulfilling Prophecy – Prophecies are positive or negative hope or belief about situations or conditions, events, or people that may affect a person’s behavior toward them in a way that causes the prophecy/prediction or guess to be fulfilled.

Since bullying is a pandemic in our nation’s schools it is important for students to express and affirm who they are through voice and action. Student confidences will build over time, and students will become less victimized by bullies. At least, bullies will grow weary of toying with a student who is armored with affirmation and power.

I believe that educators and parents can assist children with evolving and becoming whoever they want to become if they practice using affirmation and self-fulfilling prophecy techniques early and often in an effort to mold, and make children into beautiful and rewarding citizens of our society.

Affirmation Daybook: Journal

https://tsw.createspace.com/title/377... http://www.amazon.com/Affirmation-Daybook-Cherrye-Vasquez-Ph-D/dp/1469914573/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352855316&sr=8-1&keywords=Affirmation+Daybook