TODAY IS THE DAY TO START RECOGNIZING EVERYONE.
How many strategies for improving your school's climate and culture are free, immediate and easy for everyone to understand? Catching students doing something right can be done by any teacher or staff member, and recognition can be as simple as a kind comment or as complicated as creating a new "currency of positivity" with defined rewards. The activities and tools in this kit will empower your staff to establish an environment where students are more likely to do the "right" thing, and then have it be seen and recognized by staff and faculty. In the best Jostens Renaissance tradition, the recognitions should be "VTW" — visible, tangible and walk-around-able.
Catch Them Doing Something Right Educator Guide (20)
A sixteen-page guide with research insights to support the value of the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, and activities for helping teachers and schools establish and encourage a culture where students are more likely to "do something right" and be recognized for it.
How to Catch Them Doing Something Right: Tips for Teachers (85)
This flyer coordinates with the "Today is the Day" poster and offers teachers and staff tips for creating the "right" environment, encouraging the "right" behavior, and thoughtfully recognizing students for their actions. Click here to download the PDF.
"Today Is the Day" Posters (2)
These posters can be displayed in the teachers' lounge or staff offices as a reminder to look for positive behavior every day.
Positive Office Referral Form (20)
Several schools with strong Jostens Renaissance programs have used this with great success. Teachers nominate students to be called to the office and be recognized by an administrator for positive behavior. Click here to download the PDF.
Tokens of Appreciation (100)
Using the suggestions in the Educator Guide, develop a system of simple rewards and use these tokens as immediate, unexpected recognition of good deeds seen around the school.
Dry Erase Markers (12)
These markers remind teachers to look for students who are quietly showing their character strengths in the classroom and show their appreciation.
Educational Push Messages for December (1)
These messages can be used on Twitter or Facebook, or in school announcements, newsletters or other communication resources. Push messages for this month encourage public recognition of good deeds. Click here to download the PDF for easy copying and pasting.
Meme: "Today Is the Day"
Use on your email blasts, Facebook, your district/ school website or other social media sites to share this idea with your entire school and community. Click here to download the JPEG file.
NEED MORE? For additional items from the kit, contact your Jostens rep or email: renaissance@jostens.com
One-Minute Message for Administrators: Catch Them Doing Something Right (December Kit Theme)
Last month we focused on helping students discover and develop character strengths. This month, we'd like to take it one step further. To recognize and emphasize students' motivations and capacities to learn, grow and improve, Search Institute developed a framework known as Developmental Assets to be used as a tool for reflection, conversation and learning about the strengths and resources in young people's lives.
When educators view students based on their limitations, they often lower expectations, thus offering fewer learning options. But when educators recognize and tap students' diverse strengths, it not only motivates students, but also encourages positive interactions. What you can do as educators is communicate and be intentional in recognizing diverse strengths in students and their families, including the strengths articulated in the Developmental Assets framework.
It's about creating balance between challenges and strengths. This tool provides professional development, mentoring and affirmations for teachers that help them refocus attention on the strengths in their students—strengths that may become hidden when teachers are dealing with everyday challenges in the classroom.