By Lisa Greeves
On December 17, the 2013 Promising Practices Application will be opened for submissions! The application period will run through March 17, 2013. New details this year are a category for youth-serving organizations, better uploading capability for photos, and a $20 application fee per practice (payable at the end of the application process). Plan accordingly, talk to your colleagues, and select your school, district, or organization’s strongest Promising Practice in Character Education for national recognition. Winners will be announced in May 2013.
Are you looking for a way to wrap up 2012 and emphasize performance character or student autonomy? Make sure you check out these 2012 Promising Practices winners for fresh ideas on these topics:
“Luke’s Buddies” at Liberty Corner Elementary in Liberty Corner, New Jersey features nine fifth grade boys who were hand-selected to work with a Special Education Down Syndrome student to help distinguish inappropriate and noncompliant behaviors. The boys were selected on the merits of their own character development, tolerance, understanding, and patience and learn to put into practice what they, themselves, value.
“You Against You – School-wide Goal Setting” at Woerther Elementary School in Ballwin, Missouri was created by Woerther’s two physical education teachers with the intent of self-improvement in personal fitness. This idea of specific goal-setting and competing against one’s self has evolved to target one specific area for individual student growth and improvement.
The “Boys’ Fit Club” at Blades Elementary School in St. Louis, Missouri, students assess their overall fitness levels and set goals toward their desired progress. Through self and teacher-assisted monitoring, students are empowered to persevere toward personal achievement and success.
“Climbing Toward Our Everest Goals” at Meyer Middle School in River Falls, Wisconsin encourages students to work to set a personal dream goal for themselves for the year and lay out a plan to work toward that goal.
