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=**Character and Academics: What Good Schools Do**= Pages 215-219

Skim the first two pages of the article for background information. We will focus this activity on the section titled, " What Good Schools Do." This section focuses on common principles that are found in schools with both thoughtful character education programs and high levels of academic achievement. The four (4) common principles are:
 * 1) Good schools ensure a clean and secure physical environment.
 * 2) Good schools promote and model fairness, equity, caring, and respect.
 * 3) In good schools students contribute in meaningful ways.
 * 4) Good schools promote a caring community and positive social relationships.

Please think about the building you teach in and add some things you see happening in your building that fall into these common principles. //Note: The table cells will expand as you type in each cell.// Click Edit to begin adding your group's contribution.

Click SAVE when you are done. If you want to click SAVE more often, feel free to do so; just click on EDIT to add more.


 * ===__Principle 1:.__.........................................................................................................................................................................===

Our group believes that our school provides a clean and secure physical environment. Students feel like they can learn in a "healthy" school and classroom. If the school is infested with bugs or rodents they cannot be a productive. When given a safe environment learning can take place, as opposed to being afraid to actually come to school. The fewer things they have to worry about in their environment the more they can learn, which includes character education.

Our schools do a great job keeping our school clean. THe problem is that the students do a horrible job of keeping it clean. They drop things and leave it. We need more landscaping at the middle school. Are we doing a good job of promoting pride in our schools if they are not picking up around it?

. || In our school, students model exemplary character traits.These students are nominated for these quality traits. Other students observe and emulate this behavior. Students make their own role models and look to peers for guidance rather than to teachers. At the high school level, character education is not discussed. Teachers attempt to model the traits to the students. But student reinforment does not occur.
 * ===__Principle 2__:..........................................................................................................................................................................===

We fair in our discipline.

. || Students clean the rooms and bathrooms. The aide in classroom jobs such as organizing classroom libraby, sweeping trash, turning off lights to save engry. They help to maintain the building and the environment by recycling when possible.
 * ===__Principle 3:__..........................................................................................................................................................................===

THey recycle at the MS and the HS. || the children are supportive when there is a issue in families when it is affecting students in the clasroom. We offer the opportunity to join good news club, character kids, participate in veterns day activities and grandparents day. The younger kids have muffins with moms and donughts with dad to encourage parental involvment and building of social skills.
 * ===__Principle 4__:..........................................................................................................................................................................===

Yes, we promote caring at the lower schools but the HS does not have as much positive promotion.

. ||

Click SAVE when you are done. If you want to click SAVE more often, feel free to do so; just click on EDIT to add more.