The intent of this playbook is to enable PK-12 teachers, teachers-in-training, counselors, and coaches to use character and peace education lessons to enrich their curriculum and help students expand their knowledge and understanding of themes and content in each of the book's chapters. The lesson plans will help students discover, learn, reflect on, and make connections between and among each of the chapters in the book, such as Character Development, Peace Awareness, Special Skills, and Selfdiscipline, Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Conflict Resolution. This playbook is designed in such a way that you may take any one of the lessons and implement it at any time you find a teachable moment or want to focus on a particular topic or theme. The lessons have been designed to help you and your students ""reflect" upon and make ""connections"" between the content and activities of each lesson. At the end of each chapter is a stop-sign symbol suggesting one "read/reflect/respond." The playbook is rich in references, research, and resources.

Few character education books published in the 21st century have addressed the resource needs of P-12 teachers. It Starts in the Classroom: Character Education for a Better Tomorrow is a "character education tool kit" that enables P-12 teachers, teachers-in-training, counselors, administrators, and coaches to see themselves as the "key" character educators in their schools, classrooms, and community. This book helps bring humanity, student engagement, and other life skills into the classroom that have been proven to increase student academic achievement. Ultimately, It Starts in the Classroom helps teachers see that they are, in fact, really changing the world for the better. This book shows them how to do this not only with their students but with themselves. With the current state of our world, character education is needed now more than ever. Things can get better, but it starts in the classrooms-with the teachers and the students.

Few character education books published in the 21st century have addressed the resource needs of P-12 teachers. It Starts in the Classroom: Character Education for a Better Tomorrow is a "character education tool kit" that enables P-12 teachers, teachers-in-training, counselors, administrators, and coaches to see themselves as the "key" character educators in their schools, classrooms, and community. This book helps bring humanity, student engagement, and other life skills into the classroom that have been proven to increase student academic achievement. Ultimately, It Starts in the Classroom helps teachers see that they are, in fact, really changing the world for the better. This book shows them how to do this not only with their students but with themselves. With the current state of our world, character education is needed now more than ever. Things can get better, but it starts in the classrooms-with the teachers and the students.

Contemporary schools require far more than just 'the three R's'. Beyond the books and tests, educational facilities are expected to produce members of society with integrity, as well. Character education is an abstract idea that many educators, both teachers and administrators, have a difficult time implementing, and too often it gets left out of the curriculum. How do school personnel, then, instill values of good character in students, and as an administrator, how do you spread these values to the entire school? DeRoche and Williams provide school leaders with an effective road map, touring schools that have achieved success. The authors divide the reader's journey through reform efforts into several 'tour stops, ' beginning with a review of the character education framework, passing through subjects such as school climate, core values, training personnel, forming relationships, and concluding with guidelines for evaluation. Each 'stop' contains a list of helpful articles or books, as well as valuable Internet resources. The conclusion of the journey is ultimately the responsibility of school leaders, but this book will give you a head start.

The intent of this playbook is to enable PK-12 teachers, teachers-in-training, counselors, and coaches to use character and peace education lessons to enrich their curriculum and help students expand their knowledge and understanding of themes and content in each of the book's chapters. The lesson plans will help students discover, learn, reflect on, and make connections between and among each of the chapters in the book, such as Character Development, Peace Awareness, Special Skills, and Selfdiscipline, Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Conflict Resolution. This playbook is designed in such a way that you may take any one of the lessons and implement it at any time you find a teachable moment or want to focus on a particular topic or theme. The lessons have been designed to help you and your students ""reflect" upon and make ""connections"" between the content and activities of each lesson. At the end of each chapter is a stop-sign symbol suggesting one "read/reflect/respond." The playbook is rich in references, research, and resources.

"This book is exactly what busy teachers need! I found so many tips and strategies to streamline all the busyness of planning, grading, collaborating, interacting with parents, engaging students, and even the layout of the classroom. What a joy to read!" Janel Meehan English Language Arts Teacher, Grades 6 and 7 San Diego Unified School District San Diego, CA Gain more productive time in each day! Real talk about managing time, reducing stress, and avoiding teacher burnout. Do you love teaching but feel overwhelmed by getting it all done? Effective time management skills transform teacher confidence and morale, energize and engage students, and improve the learning climate of a classroom-for both you and your students. Time management directly relates to classroom management, your personal sanity, and your overall quality of life inside and outside of the classroom. Time management experts Serena Pariser and Edward F. DeRoche are here to help you reduce stress and find more time in your day with short, practical time management strategies that can greatly improve your classroom learning environment and your mental health. Weaving wellness research with classroom-tested tips and tricks on everything from lesson planning to grading to meeting the needs of individual students, Real Talk About Time Management includes * 35 practical, teacher-proven strategies for saving time and setting personal boundaries * Stories and vignettes from educators about proactive time management adjustments that worked * Real anecdotes from new teachers about the challenges of time management * "Your Turn" questions after every strategy that invite personal reflection and strategic planning Students deserve teachers who are energized, optimistic, and in control of the daily grind while still having the energy and time to foster meaningful connections. Develop proactive habits for managing time and give your best self to your students.

"A great resource for teaching that character matters in furthering the ideals on which this country has been built!"
Carol Russo, Principal, William Lloyd Garrison School
Bronx, NY

"The ?soil? of our schools has lost a nurturing ingredient that is essential to give life to the ideas and the efforts of educators. That missing nurturing ingredient is the school?s moral mission . . . DeRoche and Williams have written a sound and practical book not only for educators but for anyone interested in learning exactly how schools can navigate these often shoal-filled waters."
Kevin Ryan
From the Foreword, Educating Hearts and Minds, 2^nd Edition

This second edition merges new ideas in character education research with best practices in schools and districts. The authors provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive framework for K-12 administrators, educators, and concerned citizens. It offers easy access to practical and proven methods supported by in-depth rationale.

Highlighted are keys for success in building an effective character education program:

• Six sets of standards for character education
• Six tips for leaders
• Five tips to ensure reaching consensus
• Five classroom expectations
• Strategies for school culture and classroom climate
• Steps for developing a values curriculum
• Co-curricular activities
• Teaching principles
• Staff development and personnel training
• Assessment

The authors propose standards, promising practices, and assessment instruments that can be personalized to fit the needs and interests of any school, student population, school district, or community. A must-have resource for the concerned and committed educator and parent.