Toward Higher Ground

Building Character by Teaching SelfRespect, Self-Discipline and Responsibility

Objectives

What is character?

Behavior-Related Challenges

Behavior-Related Challenges
Challenges are most often
symptoms of problems, not
problems themselves
Frequently stem from lack of
self-respect, self-discipline
and/or responsibility

From Challenges to Character

Our primary goal today is to
discover ways to move students
away from challenging
behaviors and toward good
character.

Keys for Making a Change

Its all about a change in
perspective
Typically, we see self-respect, selfdiscipline and responsibility as traits.
Need to view these elements of
character as though they were skills.
We can help students improve skill
levels within the context of what we do
every day, even without the help of
parents or peers.

I need a volunteer!

First Important Word

Dick Fosbury

Revolutionized
the high jump
World record in
1968 Olympics

Importance of Self-Respect
Self-respect is the starting
point
Worst problems (lack of respect
for others, violence) tend to be
exhibited by students with low
skill in self-respect.
Students with little self-respect
are unlikely to respond to
traditional efforts to modify their
behavior.

Developing Self-Respect
Students must change their own
perspectives.
Realize they do have control over their
futures.
Realize they can succeed.

Self-Esteem Vs. Self-Respect

Self-Respect
Self-Esteem
Must be earned
Need to feel
good about
Comes from
yourself
feeling good
Has a bad
about what you
name today
have
Not everything
accomplished
that makes you
Is built upon
feel good is a
success
good thing to
do

Developing Self-Respect
Keys
Provide students with structured
opportunities for success.
Start by finding success within a
typical scenario for failure.
Build upon successes
incrementally - apply principles of
progressive skill development as
you would any skill in your
curriculum.

Developing Self-Respect
Keys
Provide students with structured
opportunities for success.
Start by finding success within a
typical scenario for failure.
Build upon successes
incrementally - apply principles of
progressive skill development as
you would any skill in your
curriculum.

Grade This Quiz

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1
4
5
6
3

+1
- 2
+6
- 0
+4

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2
6
11
6
8

Grade This Quiz

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

receive
receipt
releive
believe
decieve

Which is most important?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

1
4
5
6
3

+1
- 2
+6
- 0
+4

=
=
=
=
=

2
6
11
6
8

Developing Self-Respect
Keys
Provide students with structured
opportunities for success.
Start by finding success within a
typical scenario for failure.
Build upon successes
incrementally - apply principles of
progressive skill development as
you would any skill in your
curriculum.

Second Important Word

Developing Self-Discipline
and Responsibility
Follow the same procedures as
you would with self-respect.
Once you master the
technique, you can apply it to
all three elements of character,
helping your students move
toward higher ground.

Whats Next?

Contact Me:
jimk@kesweb.com
kesweb.com