Keep It Simple, Make It Real

Character Development in Grades 6-12
Jan Olsson - Huntsville High School
Keep It Simple, Make It Real
May 2009 | 192 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781452273099
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412966030
Available from January 0001

Description

"This exceptionally well-organized, practical, and impressive work should be on every administrator's and character educator's desk. Olsson redefines the lens through which educators view the factors that impact school climate, teacher-student relationships, student behavior, and ultimately the character development of young people."
—Edward DeRoche, Director
Character Development Center, University of San Diego

"Needed in the character education movement for a long time, this book is written by a principal who's been leading the way and now shows how we can help students develop their character without sacrificing academic standards. It's easy to read, well organized, and, most important, contains hundreds of practical strategies that work."
—Hal Urban, Teacher and Speaker, Redwood City, CA
Author, Lessons From The Classroom

A powerful tool for influencing students' attitudes and behaviors!

Based on current research, solid theory, and real experiences, this resource provides school leaders with a comprehensive yet practical framework for creating and sustaining a schoolwide character development program. Real-world scenarios tackle tough issues such as vandalism, truancy, chronic tardiness, and bullying, and demonstrate how to bring about positive change. The book thoughtfully addresses factors that may keep students from developing positive attitudes and helps educators:

  • Evaluate student behavior, staff morale, and school climate
  • Target real problems with commonsense strategies that can dramatically turn around student behavior
  • Assess a character development program's effectiveness

Contents

Foreword by Philip Fitch Vincent

Foreword by Philip Fitch Vincent

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. Living, Learning, and Leading in Harmony: Character Development in Middle and Secondary Schools
  • Current Perspectives on Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Current Perspectives on Character Development
  • Academic Achievement and Students' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors
  • Keept It Simple, Make It Real
  • A Character Development Framework for Schools
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 2. Safe and Inviting Physical Environment: Physical Environments That Change Behavior
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment That Impact On Achievement and Character Development
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Health
  • Aspects of the Environment Affecting Safety
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Physiological Needs
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Morale
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 3. Modeling Good Character: The Role of Principals and Teachers
  • Introduction
  • Modeling the Three Es
  • The First E: The Power of Experience
  • The Second E: The Power of Exchange
  • The Third E: The Power of Empowerment
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 4. Establishing Rules and Procedures for Civility: Creating a Positive School and Classroom Environment
  • Introduction
  • The Need for Discipline in Establishing a Positive School Climate
  • Progressive Discipline
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions, Supports, and Consequences
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 5. Making Curricular Connections: Teaching Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Curriculum Priorities in Character Development
  • The R.I.T.E. of Curriculum Passage
  • Curricular and Cocurricular Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character Development
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 6. Assessing Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Monitoring Character Development
  • Creating the Assessment Tool
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes

Resource A: Sample Character Development Framework for Schools: Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Resource A: Sample Character Development Framework for Schools: Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Resource B: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Tools for the Character Development Framework for Schools

Resource B: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Tools for the Character Development Framework for Schools

Resource C: Sample Strategic Plan for Schoolwide Character Development

Resource C: Sample Strategic Plan for Schoolwide Character Development

Resource D: Sample Lesson Plans

Resource D: Sample Lesson Plans

Resource E: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Poster Embedding Character Development

Resource E: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Poster Embedding Character Development

Resource F: Sample Code of Behavior

Resource F: Sample Code of Behavior

References

References

Additional materials

Description

"This exceptionally well-organized, practical, and impressive work should be on every administrator's and character educator's desk. Olsson redefines the lens through which educators view the factors that impact school climate, teacher-student relationships, student behavior, and ultimately the character development of young people."
—Edward DeRoche, Director
Character Development Center, University of San Diego

"Needed in the character education movement for a long time, this book is written by a principal who's been leading the way and now shows how we can help students develop their character without sacrificing academic standards. It's easy to read, well organized, and, most important, contains hundreds of practical strategies that work."
—Hal Urban, Teacher and Speaker, Redwood City, CA
Author, Lessons From The Classroom

A powerful tool for influencing students' attitudes and behaviors!

Based on current research, solid theory, and real experiences, this resource provides school leaders with a comprehensive yet practical framework for creating and sustaining a schoolwide character development program. Real-world scenarios tackle tough issues such as vandalism, truancy, chronic tardiness, and bullying, and demonstrate how to bring about positive change. The book thoughtfully addresses factors that may keep students from developing positive attitudes and helps educators:

  • Evaluate student behavior, staff morale, and school climate
  • Target real problems with commonsense strategies that can dramatically turn around student behavior
  • Assess a character development program's effectiveness

Contents

Foreword by Philip Fitch Vincent

Foreword by Philip Fitch Vincent

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. Living, Learning, and Leading in Harmony: Character Development in Middle and Secondary Schools
  • Current Perspectives on Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Current Perspectives on Character Development
  • Academic Achievement and Students' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors
  • Keept It Simple, Make It Real
  • A Character Development Framework for Schools
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 2. Safe and Inviting Physical Environment: Physical Environments That Change Behavior
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment That Impact On Achievement and Character Development
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Health
  • Aspects of the Environment Affecting Safety
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Physiological Needs
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Morale
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 3. Modeling Good Character: The Role of Principals and Teachers
  • Introduction
  • Modeling the Three Es
  • The First E: The Power of Experience
  • The Second E: The Power of Exchange
  • The Third E: The Power of Empowerment
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 4. Establishing Rules and Procedures for Civility: Creating a Positive School and Classroom Environment
  • Introduction
  • The Need for Discipline in Establishing a Positive School Climate
  • Progressive Discipline
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions, Supports, and Consequences
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 5. Making Curricular Connections: Teaching Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Curriculum Priorities in Character Development
  • The R.I.T.E. of Curriculum Passage
  • Curricular and Cocurricular Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character Development
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 6. Assessing Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Monitoring Character Development
  • Creating the Assessment Tool
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes

Resource A: Sample Character Development Framework for Schools: Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Resource A: Sample Character Development Framework for Schools: Trillium Lakelands District School Board

Resource B: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Tools for the Character Development Framework for Schools

Resource B: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Tools for the Character Development Framework for Schools

Resource C: Sample Strategic Plan for Schoolwide Character Development

Resource C: Sample Strategic Plan for Schoolwide Character Development

Resource D: Sample Lesson Plans

Resource D: Sample Lesson Plans

Resource E: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Poster Embedding Character Development

Resource E: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Poster Embedding Character Development

Resource F: Sample Code of Behavior

Resource F: Sample Code of Behavior

References

References

Additional materials

SAGE Publishing Logo

Keep It Simple, Make It Real

Character Development in Grades 6-12


May 2009 | 192 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 28/04/2023 9781412966030 $39.95
Lifetime 28/04/2023 9781452273099 $36.00

"This exceptionally well-organized, practical, and impressive work should be on every administrator's and character educator's desk. Olsson redefines the lens through which educators view the factors that impact school climate, teacher-student relationships, student behavior, and ultimately the character development of young people."
—Edward DeRoche, Director
Character Development Center, University of San Diego

"Needed in the character education movement for a long time, this book is written by a principal who's been leading the way and now shows how we can help students develop their character without sacrificing academic standards. It's easy to read, well organized, and, most important, contains hundreds of practical strategies that work."
—Hal Urban, Teacher and Speaker, Redwood City, CA
Author, Lessons From The Classroom

A powerful tool for influencing students' attitudes and behaviors!

Based on current research, solid theory, and real experiences, this resource provides school leaders with a comprehensive yet practical framework for creating and sustaining a schoolwide character development program. Real-world scenarios tackle tough issues such as vandalism, truancy, chronic tardiness, and bullying, and demonstrate how to bring about positive change. The book thoughtfully addresses factors that may keep students from developing positive attitudes and helps educators:

  • Evaluate student behavior, staff morale, and school climate
  • Target real problems with commonsense strategies that can dramatically turn around student behavior
  • Assess a character development program's effectiveness

Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Philip Fitch Vincent
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • 1. Living, Learning, and Leading in Harmony: Character Development in Middle and Secondary Schools
  • Current Perspectives on Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Current Perspectives on Character Development
  • Academic Achievement and Students' Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behaviors
  • Keept It Simple, Make It Real
  • A Character Development Framework for Schools
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 2. Safe and Inviting Physical Environment: Physical Environments That Change Behavior
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment That Impact On Achievement and Character Development
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Health
  • Aspects of the Environment Affecting Safety
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Physiological Needs
  • Aspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Morale
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 3. Modeling Good Character: The Role of Principals and Teachers
  • Introduction
  • Modeling the Three Es
  • The First E: The Power of Experience
  • The Second E: The Power of Exchange
  • The Third E: The Power of Empowerment
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 4. Establishing Rules and Procedures for Civility: Creating a Positive School and Classroom Environment
  • Introduction
  • The Need for Discipline in Establishing a Positive School Climate
  • Progressive Discipline
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions, Supports, and Consequences
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 5. Making Curricular Connections: Teaching Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Curriculum Priorities in Character Development
  • The R.I.T.E. of Curriculum Passage
  • Curricular and Cocurricular Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character Development
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • 6. Assessing Character Development
  • Introduction
  • Monitoring Character Development
  • Creating the Assessment Tool
  • Some Final Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • Resource A: Sample Character Development Framework for Schools: Trillium Lakelands District School Board
  • Resource B: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Tools for the Character Development Framework for Schools
  • Resource C: Sample Strategic Plan for Schoolwide Character Development
  • Resource D: Sample Lesson Plans
  • Resource E: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Poster Embedding Character Development
  • Resource F: Sample Code of Behavior
  • References

Recent Product Reviews:

"Nuts-and-bolts advice supported by real-life examples makes Jan Olsson’s how-to manual an invaluable tool for school leaders. There are gems of wisdom here you won’t find in other character education guides."
Tom Lickona, Director, Center for the 4th and 5th Rs, Coauthor, Smart & Good High Schools
"This is a book that's been needed in the character education movement for a long time, one written by a principal who's been leading the way. Jan Olsson lives up to his title by keeping it simple and by keeping it real while showing us how we can help junior high and high school students develop their character without sacrificing academic standards. It's easy to read, well organized, and, most important, contains hundreds of practical strategies that work."
Hal Urban, Teacher and Speaker, Author, Lessons From The Classroom
“Jan Olsson uses his experience as a teacher and administrator to offer educators and community leaders a must-read, what-works-and-what-doesn’t book on character development in schools. This exceptionally well-organized, practical, and very impressive work should be on every administrator’s and character educator’s desk. Olsson redefines the lens through which educators view the factors that impact school climate, teacher-student relationships, student behavior, and ultimately the character development of young people.”
Edward DeRoche, Director, Character Development Center, University of San Diego

Recommendations