Respect

Respect the Sport

Grant Respects the Environment

Respect is tantamount to getting through each day.  We may disagree with one another, disapprove of a student’s behavior or dislike a new neighbor.  However when we treat one another with respect by making the decision to be considerate and thoughtful in choosing our words and behaviors we create a safe environment where:

• Disagreements are seen as opportunities to hear another point of view.
• Disapproving of behaviors are seen as teachable moments and
• Dislike of any person or group of persons is seen as the chance to be mindful and embrace differences. 

Respect is the willingness to show consideration.

Links to videos and articles:

Respect Sesame Street Style

Worksheet for K-4 students to learn respect

Never forget how you impact your students…you might very well be their only model of respect

35 activities your students can do to learn respect by Michele Borba, Ed,D.

Here are a few examples of writing assignments related to Respect for middle –high school students

More classroom prompts:

1. How does government "of, by, and for the people" depend on respect? Write an essay connecting the concepts of democracy and respect. How is listening to different points of view a sign of respect and a cornerstone of democracy? What is it about the concept of democracy that relies upon mutual respect among people? How is the very concept of democracy related to respect for the individual?

2. Watch a sitcom on television, and then write about how the actions of the characters demonstrated either respectful or disrespectful behavior.

3. Describe three things you could do to be a more respectful person. How would that affect your relationships with others? How does it benefit you to be a respectful person?

We can all learn a little something about Respect from the world of sports.

1. Make respect a daily habit.  Practice, practice, practice

2. Respect your opponent.  Your opponent may be your spouse, friend, teacher-partner, student or parent… use the Golden Rule-treat others how you would like to be treated.

3. Respect the official.  This sets the tone for the entire school, classroom and all "players" involved. 

4. Respect the game.  This is our district-wide school climate goal.  Believe that we can make a difference by teaching 8 simple character elements.

5. Respect your resources. Respect our community, our schools and ourselves.

Mutual respect in the classroom encompasses more than the interaction between students and the teacher. An atmosphere of mutual respect means that students also treat each other properly. The result is a classroom where more learning takes place as students feel safe, motivated and, of course, respected. Achieving this atmosphere takes considerable effort on the part of the teacher as well as the students. Once established, however, students will usually work to maintain the positive classroom environment.

• Establish clear classroom expectations from the first day of school. Post your classroom rules and procedures on the wall where they are clearly visible. Consider having only one rule in your classroom respect. Students will be expected to respect you, each other, themselves, their work and property. Let students know what to expect from you, as well.
• Have a discussion with your class about respect and why it is important. Talk about what it looks like. Discuss the language that makes them feel respected and disrespected. Establish the idea that respect is something that everyone wants and is capable of giving to others.
• Model respectful behavior at all times. Show respect to students by addressing them by name in a calm voice. Speak to students in the same way you expect to be spoken to by them. Speak to administrators, support staff and other teachers with respect. When you are a teacher, you teach all of the time even when you are in the hall having a discussion with another teacher.
• Role play situations in which students need help showing respect.
• Provide students with consistency. Enforce rules fairly, without favoritism, and enforce consequences as warranted. Whenever you must give a student a penalty, do so privately, with respect for her dignity. Calmly explain the reason and end on a positive note. For example, "When you chose to interrupt the class, you knew the consequence. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow in class."

Respect All Video

Two different ways to experience school. Our impact on students.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin

Emerson Respects History