This Month's Best Practice

Each Month the Maryland Center for Character Education at Stevenson University (MCCE@SU) picks one of the Best Practices from a Character Education award winning school to share with you.

NOVEMBER

This month's Best Practices is from an award winning school from 2010-2011.

 

BEST CHARACTER EDUCATION PRACTICES

 

School: Ballenger Creek Elementary

Address: 5250 Kingsbrook Dr, Frederick, MD 21703
Principal: Karine Myers
E-Mail: Karine.Myers@fcps.org

Phone: 240-2362500

 

Character Ed. Contacts: Liz Sherman and Patty Quaglietta
E-Mail: Liz.Sherman@fcps.org - Patty.Quaglietta@fcps.org

 

Primary Principles Emphasized: All, but particularly 4 and 7

 

Title of Best Practice: Student Ambassadors Program

 

Objective(s):

To make the transition for students new to Ballenger Creek Elementary smooth and less stressful by having a trained and caring Student Ambassador in each classroom to help .

Principle 4 – Creates a caring school community
Principle 7 – Strives to foster students’ self-motivation

Description:

At the beginning of each school year, the school counselor carefully selects a student from each classroom to be a Student Ambassador for their classroom. Students are selected based upon teacher recommendation (previous year and present year teachers), leadership qualities, personal interview and positive work and social habits indicators (as evidenced by the latest report card).

 

Student Ambassadors are then trained by the Counselor and given a badge identifying them as an Ambassador, and folder containing pertinent information about the school. The folder contains a checklist (attached).

 

As new students enroll at Ballenger throughout the school year, Ambassadors are ready to welcome them, guide them through the school day, and answer any questions that they may have until they become acclimated to the school.

 

The Ambassador program has been very successful in several ways. Not only does it help new students feel welcome at Ballenger Creek, it also boosts the Ambassadors’ self esteem by giving them a responsible leadership role.

To: Classroom Teachers (Grades Pre-K – 5)
From: Patty Quaglietta and Paige Lee
Re: Student Ambassador Program

Hello Everyone! This year we would like to start up a Student Ambassador Program! We are going to train one student from each class to officially welcome and help new students feel comfortable at school. We will train the ambassadors and then give them folders with name tags and a checklist of activities they will do with the new students (i.e. sit next to the new student at lunch, tell them the daily schedule, and answer questions about BCES). We will give the students folders to keep in their cubbies or desks until a new student arrives in your class. At that time, the Student Ambassador will get out their folder and they will use it to remind them of what to do!

 

Please pick one student that is outgoing, comfortable at BCES, and already familiar with the school. It is nice to have students that are very thoughtful, kind, responsible and welcoming. We would appreciate having these names ASAP (no later than September 17th) so we can start training the Ambassadors. Please email the name of one student from your class to participate in the Student Ambassador Program this year.

 

Thanks for your support!

STUDENT AMBASSADOR CHECKLIST

 

Teacher’s Name:

New Student’s Name:

Ambassador’s Name:

 

Please check each item after you finish it.

Say “Hello, my name is ___________. What is your name?”

Introduce the new student to other people in the class.

Stand near the new student in line.

Show the student:

the office
the nurse’s office
the guidance office
the cafeteria
the gym

 

Eat lunch together and play together at recess.

Be nice to the new student. Smile!

 

Thank you for being a great ambassador!

 

Title of Best Practice: 5th Grade Jobs Program

Primary Principle(s) Emphasized: Principles 1, 2, 3, 5

Objective: To encourage all 5th grade students to have a sense of belonging to our school community and to contribute in a responsible manner. Additionally, the Program connects them to the “world of work”.

 

Brief Description:

At the beginning of each school year, every 5th grade student completes an interest inventory and “job application”. Staff members volunteer their time to be “job supervisors” in such positions as School Store Helper, Counselor Helper, Weather Watcher, Office Assistant, Homework Helper, Teacher Assistant, etc. The students are matched to a job that connects to their strengths and interests. The jobs are year-long and students are “paid” with Positive Paws, which can be traded in for incentives.

 

Through this program, we teach students to be responsible and trustworthy by: reporting to work, completing assigned tasks; respectful and caring to co-workers and supervisors ; and good citizens by volunteering their time and demonstrating good behavior throughout the year to earn the privilege of doing their job.

Fifth grade students take pride in their jobs and younger students eagerly anticipate the time when they will be able to have a “job”.

 

Ballenger Creek’s 5th Grade Jobs

Employee Superstar Service Learners

 

Teacher ________________

 

JOB APPLICATION

Name_____________________________________________________

Address: Street ____________________________________________________

City _________________________State __________Zip Code _______

Telephone Number (____)_______________

What time do you arrive at school? ____________________

Do you eat breakfast at school? ______ yes ______no

How do you go home? Walk _____ YMCA_____ Bus #______ Car ______

First Choice Second Choice
Job Position for which you are applying: _________________/_________________

• List your top two areas of strength on the ‘We Are Smart in Many Ways’ worksheet that you completed:

1.
2.

• Write at least 2 sentences explaining why you would be good at the job that you selected as your first choice:

HOW ARE YOU SMART?

Read through each category and highlight the statements that are most like you.

 

VERBAL/LINGUISTIC INTELLIGENCE

I like to tell jokes, tell stories or tales.
Books are important to me.
I like to read.
I often listen to radio, TV, tapes or CD’s.
I write easily and enjoy it.
I quote things I’ve read.
I like crossword games.

INTRAPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE

I know about my feelings, strengths and weaknesses.
I like to learn more about myself.
I enjoy hobbies by myself.
I enjoy being alone sometimes.
I have confidence in myself.
I like to work alone.
I think about things and plan what to do next.

LOGICAL MATHEMATICAL INTELLIGENCE

I solve math problems easily.
I enjoy math and using computers.
I like strategy games.
I wonder how things work.
I like using logic to solve problems.
I reason things out.
I like to use data in my work, to measure, calculate, and analyze.

 

VISUAL SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE

I shut my eyes and see clear pictures.
I think in pictures.
I like to color and interesting designs.
I can find my way around unfamiliar areas.
I draw and doodle.
I like books with pictures, maps and charts.
I like videos, movies, and photographs.

INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE

People ask me for advice.
I prefer team sports.
I have many close friends.
I like working in groups.
I’m comfortable in a crowd.
I have empathy for others.
I can figure out what people are feeling

.

BODILY-KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE

I get uncomfortable when I sit too long.
I like to touch or be touched when talking.
I use my hand when speaking.
I like working with my hands on crafts/hobbies.
I touch things to learn more bout them.
I think of myself as well coordinated.
I learn by doing rather than watching.

MUSICAL RHYTHMIC INTELLIGENCE

I like to listen to musical selections.
I am sensitive to music and sounds.
I can remember tunes.
I listen to music when studying.
I enjoy singing.
I keep time to music.
I have a good sense of rhythm.

 

NATURALIST

I enjoy spending time in nature.
I like to classify things into categories.
I can hear animal and bird sounds clearly.
I see details when I look at plants, flowers, and trees.
I am happiest out doors.
I like tending to plants and animals.
I know the names of trees, plants, birds, and animals.

DIRECTIONS:
Count the number highlighted in each category.

 

List the top two categories here:

1._______________ 2.______________

Ballenger Creek's 5th Grade Jobs Superstar Service Learners PowerPoint

 

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The Maryland Center for Character Education at Stevenson University
1525 Greenspring Valley Road, Stevenson, MD 21153

E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com