Flip For Character
The “Flip Chart” is a tool to provide an understanding of the character initiative to all new teachers, substitutes, and parents as they collaboratively make decisions to help students to be successful in school. The Character Education Team developed a “Flip Chart” that would support an understanding of the procedures used daily with character providing a guide to facilitate the implementation process.  The “Flip Chart” provides an overview of the Character programs and procedures in our school such as:  class room strategies, class meetings, daily rituals, common language, routines, conflict resolutions, and stress management strategies therefore creating a character community. The “Flip Chart” is a resource that can be easily accessed by all parents and staff providing a character connection within the home and school.    This practice has been very effective in providing newcomers with a common language focusing on character within our school.  Listing the character information and strategies enables everyone to provide character actions with students.  The resource is simple to use, substitutes can refer to the “Flip Chart” and learn common language and strategies to help students stay on track and focus on the character concepts.  The “Flip Chart” reinforces the character which is embedded in our curriculum, culture, and climate.  The Staff provides support for each other by sharing character concepts. The “Flip Chart” provides a space for teachers to reflect and journal on the character practices within our building As a result of this practice, newcomers to our building are on board with character from the beginning knowing the strategies and common language.  Included in the “Flip Chart” is a resource page of websites to visit to provide extended learning for all.   Success is observed daily by observing the staff using the common language and procedures in and outside of the classroom. When asking a substitute what she thought of our “Flip Chart,” she offered suggestions on things to change and even some new terminology that turned out to be very effective. Sharing character concepts and reflections is evidence that teachers and students understand and act comprehensively to fully implement “Flip For Character.”