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Welcome to the November Teachers' Nook from Westcott!

In This Issue:

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Promote Peace in your School

From the Teacher's Desk: Promote Peace in your School

With Remembrance Day approaching, many schools take advantage of this time to reinforce the principals of peaceful living. Character development traits are very important for students to learn as these skills become the specific building blocks that become the foundation for a peaceful school culture.  

Sixteen Ways to Promote Peace in your School

  1. Decorate the front foyer and the hallways with artwork, photos, poems, stories, quotes and posters.
  2. Hold a school-wide presentation for all students and staff.
  3. Have a Peace Message on the morning announcements.
  4. Conduct school-wide character building activities.
  5. Give out monthly awards to students who exemplify good character.
  6. Use motivational messages and photos as screen savers on all school computers.
  7. Approach the media about providing recognition for school peace-building activities.
  8. Provide opportunities for public celebration.
  9. Develop a school song that incorporates character traits.
  10. Provide time for students to have meetings and discussions.
  11. Build a capacity for leadership within the school by allow students to lead workshops and to be peer mediators.
  12. Play co-operative games.
  13. Role play scenarios that develop empathy, inclusion, and social justice.
  14. Encourage community outreach.
  15. Provide parent education programs.
  16. Create events for staff, students, and community members to attend.
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Character Development in Action, K - 12

What Is Character Development?

An excellent resource is Character Development in Action, K-12 (Successful Practices in Ontario Schools). This document is available to download free of charge and is available in French and English.  It includes a collection of successful ideas that have been used by a variety of school boards from across Ontario. 
 
For example, at Red Lake Madsen Public School, an Aboriginal advisor was hired to work with the school and community to introduce a new initiative. All students were placed into House League teams based on the seven teachings:

  • bravery
  • responsibility
  • respect
  • kindness
  • honesty
  • humility
  • wisdom

Each team accumulated points for demonstrating qualities that matched the above traits.

At Ursuline College Secondary School, students created a dance team called Rhythmic Souls. Disabled and non-disabled students were paired for dance activities that included inclusive choreography, which accommodated manual and power wheelchairs. Rhythmic Souls went on to perform at many events.

These are just two of the many ideas that can be found in this document. Other projects include music projects, film festivals, symposiums and a Mayor's Youth Forum.

The goal is to build an embedded approach to character development so that students become aware of what the character traits look like in action. The ultimate goal is to create a school climate that is collaborative and cohesive-the stepping stone to understanding peace.

What might work at your school?

Group of Kids

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dividerDreams for the WorldClassroom Activities

Dreams for the World

This colorful critical-thinking project reminds youngsters to help others and believe in themselves.

Materials:

  • Westcott 5” Kids scissors
  • 9" paper plate
  • light-blue construction paper
  • white paper scraps
  • markers or crayons
  • foam cup
  • hole puncher
  • yarn or ribbon
  • glue

Check out the step by step instructions for this classroom activity >

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dividerPuzzles: Challenge students with problem solvers

As a teacher, Ken Weber discovered that mysteries and puzzles were an excellent way to gain students’ attention.

Try these puzzles in your classroom:

  • A Canadiana speed test
  • Mr Collison’s on-time exercise
  • Win the apples in the bin

Get puzzling!

Apples

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