Character Traits

Last fall, I challenged my colleagues to create a decoration on their classroom door that followed certain character traits as I'm always trying to find ways to demonstrate a positive attitude in our school. For Kindergarten and Cycle 1 (Grades 1 and 2), the trait was Caring. Respect was for Cycle 2 (Grades 3 and 4) and Responsibility was the trait for Cycle 3 (Grades 5 and 6). Of course I couldn't expect my colleagues to take on this task without setting an example.

I chose to create street signs with traits that I want our students to embrace. The yellow sign is for my room, which we call OASIS.

I created a friendly competition within the cycles with a prize for the winners. The door on the left was the winning door from Grade 1, while the one on the right was a runner-up from Grade 2.

This was the winning door from Cycle 3. The students created mini posters showing how they are responsible in a variety of settings. (I may have to remind them that they depicted "submitting their homework on time" as a personal responsibility the next time they have an excuse for not handing it in.)

The Character Traits on my door.

These character traits door decorations were on display for all to see during our fall interviews. Some even left them up for the duration of the term.