New Online Classroom Games

Cool Kids now includes online classroom games - Cool Kids Click!

Cool Kids resources developed and written by Dr. Brad Schwall - 18 lessons, videos, online games, morning announcement scripts - $2 per student.

Click on the links below for more information:

Summary of Resources

Cool Kids Curriculum

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Workshops

Click below for info on Dr. Schwall's workshops for counselors, teachers, parents, and guardians:

Workshops

 

 
 

Encouraging Positive and Respectful Behavior in Common Areas at School, by Dr. Brad Schwall

To view the web version of this e-mail or copy the URL address to create a link to share with staff, go to:  http://www.coolkidschannel.com/e-tips/behavior_common_areas

More problem behaviors such as bullying or impulsive actions occur at school when there is less structure and less supervision.  Schools can benefit from creating specific rules and expectations for behavior in common areas such as hallways, cafeterias, and playgrounds. 

Cool_Kids_Recognition_Bulletin_Board_Richardson_ISD

Focus on reinforcing the Cool Rule "Give Respect" or the character trait of respect for common areas to encourage respectful actions, words, and treatment of peers.  When schools make behavioral expectations clear before problems occur, it is easier to re-direct behavior in a positive way.  The most energy needs to be spent on teaching each day rather than correcting hallway behavior or dealing with disagreements that occur during non-academic parts of the school day.

Establish Effective Guidelines for Behavior

  • Make rules positive - state rules in terms of what you want to happen:  "Walk" rather than, "No running."
  • Make rules specific - state specifically what behavior you expect:  "Use an indoor voice in the cafeteria" rather than, "The cafeteria needs to be quiet."Cool_Kids_Kick_Off_at_Carroll_ES_Frisco_ISD

  • Make rules concise - limit the number of rules given for each common area:  "Walk slowly behind the person in front of you, keep hands to your side, stay quiet."  "When running around the track, keep space between you and the other runners."

  • Prompt to remind students of expectations before they go into the cafeteria or onto the track or playground.
  • Reinforce positive behaviors with attention and affirmation.

Give Tips to Students for Solving Common Problems in that Area

Cafeteria

  • Suggest appropriate conversation topics.
  • Provide ideas for what to do if someone is speaking rudely.
  • Describe table manners.

Breaks, P.E., Advisory Periods, and Recess

  • Emphasize that respectful talk is expected outside the classroom as much as it is inside the classroom.
  • Provide steps to solving problems.
  • Help students find solutions for taking turns and including others.
  • Watch closely for signs of exclusion or bullying when students gather.
  • Be attentive to the moods of students after time is spent in less structured or supervised activities to tune in to ongoing problems.
  • Provide play equipment such as Hula Hoops, jump ropes, or multiple kickballs or basketballs during recess to provide opportunities for interaction, avoid too much idle time that can provide opportunities for gossip or exclusion, and to avoid too many people trying to play one game or play with one piece of play equipment.
NOTES: The photographs above show schools in the Richardson ISD and Frisco ISD that use the Cool Kids resources encouraging positive behavior by recognizing students who have used a Cool Rule on a bulletin board and making expectations for behavior clear at an assembly to kick off Cool Kids for the year.  At a training I led at Pink Elementary in the Frisco ISD I learned about how they are targeting behavior in the school's common areas to encourage positive behavior to help create a positive school climate.

 

 
 
    © Dr. Brad Schwall - Cool Kids. All Rights Reserved.

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