FINALLY!

The First Book of Seeds is here.

This is Kim's first self published book and is a compilation of SEEDS and a sharing of stories.

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EDUCATOR INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION

Lakeview Elementary School, in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, made a phenomenal impression on me.  When I arrived at the school the bell rang to signal students into the school and at each door stood a staff member to greet each student. Each student was talked to as they entered the school. To me, this was a sign of how important each person is made to feel upon entering this place of learning.

With their permisson, I have added their "Guidelines for Success"

1. Member of League of Peaceful Schools: daily recitation of the World Pledge
    
2. Students are taught "Anti bullying Units" to begin school year through "All About Me". We all have feelings.  These units are supplemented with programs such as:
1. Lions Quest
2. Skills for Growing
3. 2nd Step: Empathy training, problem solving
4. There's a Volcano in My Tummy"
    
3. Our school discipline plan is entitled 'Our Success Plan". Students are taught how to be successful through being courteous and respectful. Our plan stresses teaching rather than punishment, however, consequences are in piace.
    
4. Our school ruies are calied "Guidelines for Success."  We have common procedures for hallways, playground equipment, learning resource centre, etc.
   
    
5. Students are rewarded tor "being good" and taught "to do the right things because it is the right thing to do".  Students are rewarded with "tokens of appreciation" when they are caught being good and are presented with "Certificates for Being a Peaceful Flyer" after receiving 5 or more tokens per month.
    
6. Classrooms are rewarded with "Demerit Free Zones" for Having no demerits for the month. Students are given demerits for inappropriate behavior.
    
7. Classroom awards are given monthly.  These awards stress our 'Guidelines for Success."
    
8. Each year we start with "training camp". During this time procedures and rules are taught and we expect courteous and respectful behavior.  All staff supervises breaks/recesses to ensure and teach expected behaviors during the "training camp" week.
    
9. The Meadow Lake School Division has a general Discipline Policy for all school. This is the basis for our "Success Plan".
    
10. Our school Policy Manual is in the form of a calendar. This manual explains to parents on expectations, rules and procedures.
     
11. Our school Mission Statement and our Vision to attain our mission came with the assistance of parents. We asked "What kind of school do you want for your children?"  It stresses every action has a consequence, positive or negative.
     
12. Review expectationsthroughout the year.  We started 2003 with a focus on "doing the right things".
     
13. Bring in speakers, entertainers and motivational media to support and affirm what we believe and expect.  "Eh Man!"
     
14. Stress our school motto  "Let Excellence Soar".

THOUGHTS:

A principal said to me, "The primary goal of a school is a place to learn, but if atmosphere is not a place to learn, we need to change that first to make it a place to learn."

To create a positive learning environment is fundamental.

Let's say we have a student, who seems to be left out and on their own.  Another student finds the strength to approach them and asks if they would like to join in. The student who feels alone may choose not to join in. The student who tried to involve them may feel like - I'm not asking them again...if they can't join when I ask, forget it.

The important thought here is, the person who is left out all the time - eventually begins to believe that there is something wrong. Feelings of worthlessness and a low self-esteem take over. It's not that the person doesn't want to join in - chances are pretty high that they do - they just have a hard time to find the strength to do it.

Everyone needs to realize, it takes more than one time to reach out and try to make a difference.

ATTITUDE is the center of our being.
We choose whether we have a positive attitude or a negative attitude.
It is reflected to everyone else around us.

COMMUNICATION is key to listening and understanding events that happen in students lives and how these events affect them and their attitude.

Students remember forever the way they felt in our classroom.
Students remember forever the way we treated them as a teacher.

DOWNLOADS:

The following are downloadable .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) files for use in the classroom.  Use them for motivation, inspiration and to continue planting the seed....

Scenes for Role Play (package 1)

Scenes for Role Play (package 2)

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