Avoid taking responsibility away from students who do not behave responsibly.

The most responsible lessons of life are learned by letting kids experience the results of their choices. Obviously if it s life threatening adults need to intervene. Children acquire responsible behaviors from being challenged and guided. We can best cultivate responsibility by helping kids see the things that happen to them are the result of their choices. The law of return is what we sow we reap !

Approach irresponsible behavior as a teaching opportunity while providing experiences where students can practice desired behaviors.

Help students see cause and effect. Teach them If-Then scenarios.

If you discredit another person then recognize it s a statement about how you feel about yourself.

If you raise your voice and fist then you are demonstrating you have no other alternatives to settle conflicts.

If you put someone else down then it reflects that you have poor self- esteem because kids with high self-esteem don t put others down!

If you can t admit you re wrong then you ll never get along.

If you can t acknowledge your mistakes and flaws then you cannot use self-disclosure as a tool to build relationships.

If you cannot accept praise from another person it s likely you cannot accept criticism.

If you disrespect others then it s clear you have little respect

for yourself.

If you demand to be right all the time then you will create fights.

from Gene Bedley s 11 Rules to Relate