{"id":263,"date":"2017-10-16T09:34:03","date_gmt":"2017-10-16T17:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.sandiego.edu\/character\/?p=263"},"modified":"2017-10-16T09:35:31","modified_gmt":"2017-10-16T17:35:31","slug":"ac-cent-tu-ate-positive-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.sandiego.edu\/character\/blog\/2017\/10\/16\/ac-cent-tu-ate-positive-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"AC-CENT-TU-ATE THE POSITIVE IN YOUR CLASSROOM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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October Blog<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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AC-CENT-TU-ATE THE POSITIVE IN YOUR CLASSROOM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Edward DeRoche, Director<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got to Accentuate the positive, Eliminate the negative…!\u201d
\n-Song and lyrics by H. Arlen\/J. Mercer<\/p>\n

Last July, I read Neville Billimoria\u2019s issue of \u201cSoul Food Friday\u201d in which he suggested that we read a book by Jon Gordon titled The Positive Dog: A Story About the Power of Positivity. (www.feedthepositivedog.com)<\/p>\n

I bought the book and read it. The book is about positive thinking. It reminded me of a very popular book that I read years ago, Norman Vincent Peale\u2019s The Power of Positive Thinking.<\/p>\n

What is positive thinking? In short, it means \u201capproaching life\u2019s challenges with a positive attitude, making the most out of bad situations, seeing the best in other people, and viewing oneself in a positive light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gordon\u2019s book is a story about two dogs both of which, he writes, are within us. The \u201cpositive dog,\u201d Bubba is his name, is loving, kind, and optimistic. Matt, the \u201cnegative dog,\u201d is fearful, angry, and pessimistic. Gordon urges us to feed the \u201cpositive dog\u201d and starve the \u201cnegative dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

This \u201cpositive-negative\u201d story is similar to the Cherokee Indian\u2019s parable in which a grandfather is talking with his grandson and says that there are two wolves inside us which are always at war with each other. One of them is a good wolf, which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love. The other is a bad wolf, which represents things like greed, hatred and fear. The grandson stops and thinks about it. Then turns to his grandfather and asks, \u201cGrandfather, which one wins?\u201d The grandfather quietly replies, \u201cThe one you feed.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a teacher you are probably asking yourself two questions: Why do I want to create a classroom of students who are positive thinkers? And, How will I do it?<\/p>\n

There are two reasons (and probably more) to the Why question. One relates to the culture of your classroom. Students will do better when they are aware of the two \u201cdogs\u201d in themselves. Like any skill, positive thinking techniques need to be practiced to be effective. They need to be modeled (by you and others). They need to be imitated. They need to be acknowledged.<\/p>\n

Being an effective classroom manager is the second reason. If students are taught to communicate in positive ways, to reflect on what they say and do, to value positive relationships, and demonstrate behaviors (words, actions) that empower them, research shows that these students will have fewer emotional problems, get better grades, and be more positive about their behaviors and relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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With regard to the How question, Gordon offers several suggestions that you can modify for your efforts to promote positivity in your classroom. He writes about the \u201cpositive boomerang\u201d\u2014\u201cfeed the positive dog\u201d and you benefit yourself and others. Being positive not only changes you (the teacher), it changes everyone around you (students, colleagues).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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I would remind you that classroom relationships are developed and tested daily, that challenges create opportunities, complaints may be the basis for solutions, and wrong choices should lead to second chances.<\/p>\n

Gordon notes that both positive and negative energy are \u201ccontagious\u201d and that \u201cnegative energy serves a purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you didn\u2019t have negative experiences, you would never be able to appreciate the positive ones.\u201d He adds, \u201cNegativity builds character and strength when we use it to build positive and emotional muscle.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a chapter called \u201cFeed the Positive Dog: Action Plan,\u201d Gordon suggests that we feed the \u201cpositive dog\u201d by \u201cpracticing gratitude\u2014take 10 minutes each day and make a list of what you are thankful for.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also talks about \u201creaching out to others\u201d and \u201cdeciding to make a difference.\u201d Gordon recommends \u2018”focusing on the get to vs. the have to, smiling more, writing thank-you notes, associating with positive and uplifting people, starting a \u201csuccess journal\u201d in which you (and your students) write down the one great thing about the day.<\/p>\n

You may remember \u201cThe Positive Teacher Pledge\u201d that appeared in my September Blog (http:\/\/www.smartbrief.com\/original\/2017\/09\/proverbs-practices-and-pledges<\/a>):<\/p>\n

I repeat the first four bullet points that underscore \u201cpositivity.\u201d<\/p>\n