Activities to Support Good Social Skills in the Classroom

For this activity, you ask the students to catch somebody exhibiting great social skills. When students see another student sharing or helping out, they will ask if a button can be put in the jar. Likewise, the teacher puts buttons in the jar for targeted behaviors. There should be a small celebration each time the class reaches a defined number of buttons within a time period. For instance when a teacher says "Oh, I really like the way Jenny is cooperating". A button then goes into the jar. This strategy really hooks kids providing they have opportunity to celebrate.

A box is displayed prominently in the classroom. You explain to the students that each time you see acts of kindness, consideration, patience, cooperation, encouragement, helping hands etc. the student writes a praise note stating who and what and then places it in the box. At the end of the week, the teacher reads out the praise notes to the classmates and gives them their praise notes. Teachers need to make sure that all students at some point receive a praise note for the desired behavior.

Each week introduce a character trait. (loyalty, responsibility, caring, cooperation, perseverance, courage, fairness, respect, integrity, trust, patience etc.) Remind children to demonstrate the trait as often as possible. Find storybooks that help introduce the different character traits. Discuss and role play various character traits in action. For instance, ask what an act of kindness would be to a child new to your school? What does courage look like? If you see somebody doing something harmful or wrong, how could you display courage? (moral courage)

This is a great activity to help all students get along in the classroom. Each week let all students draw the name of a classmate. They commit to doing acts of kindness to this secret pal for the week. At the end of the week, everyone gets a chance to guess who their secret pal is.

After you've reviewed the essential character traits. Ask students to set goals about improving the traits they feel they need the most improvement in. Have each student fill in a goal sheet that identifies at least 3 steps that they will take to improve the goal. At the end of each week, review the goals and steps with students. Have students revise and edit goals as necessary.

During lineup times for recess or lunch or other times when you have a few minutes to spare, have students select something nice to say about other student and why. For example: "Tara was helpful today because she lent me a pencil would I couldn't find mine". Sometimes start at the back of the line, sometimes at the front.

At the beginning of the week, tell students to watch for random acts of kindness. Brainstorm acts of kindness to ensure all students understand. At the end of each week have a vote for the best random act of kindness.

Give students opportunity to be mediators in conflict resolution. Teach the value of give and take. Have a role-play each week on conflict resolution which enables you to have a different child act as mediator.

The newspaper is a great source to find both good and bad character traits. Have students work in pairs to locate various articles about good and bad character. Have them explain why the article shows good character traits and what they are, and for the articles that demonstrate inappropriate traits, decide how could they have been prevented.

Good character doesn't come naturally, children with Asperger's, mild autism, behavior disorders and some developmental delays will often be the ones that really benefit from teaching social skills and character development. Make sure the activities done accommodate the child with mild disabilities. Character education is a year long endeavour, although the focus on traits may change month to month, it should none the less be an ongoing project for the entire academic year.