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Keep It Simple, Make It Real

Character Development in Grades 6-12
By: Jan Olsson

Foreword by Philip Fitch Vincent

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

Full description


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Product Details
  • Grade Level: 6-12
  • ISBN: 9781412966030
  • Published By: Corwin
  • Year: 2009
  • Page Count: 192
  • Publication date: July 28, 2009
Price: $39.95
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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

Author(s)

Jan Olsson photo

Jan Olsson

Jan Olsson has been an elementary and secondary teacher, a high school department head in physical and health education and student services, a vice-principal, and for the past two years was chairperson of the Trillium Lakelands District school board’s character development committee. Currently, he is principal of Huntsville High School and co-chair of Schools That Shine with Character, a national character education conference organized by Huntsville High School.

Olsson completed his master's of character education at the University of San Diego. He is also a professional musician, a basketball coach of 25 years, and enjoys speaking on topics related to character education. Olsson is specifically interested in school-based administration and interpersonal relationships, and the impact that modeling character development can have on creating a positive school climate. Keep It Simple, Make It Real: Character Development in Grades 6-12 is his first book.

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

Reviews

Quote by Edward DeRoche, Director, Character Development Center, University of San Diego: “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.”
“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
Quote by Hal Urban, Teacher and Speaker, Author, Lessons From The Classroom: "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."
"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
Quote by Tom Lickona, Director, Center for the 4th and 5th Rs, Coauthor, Smart & Good High Schools: "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."
"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

Other Titles in: Schoolwide Discipline & Bully Prevention | School Counseling

Price: $39.95
Volume Discounts applied in Shopping Cart

Review Copies

This book is not available as a review copy.