Jun 18, 2018

Why Respectful Ways SEL programs are better

  • We design a custom Social-Emotional Learning program tailored directly to your needs. (We create and bundle different courses to address your school or program’s specific behavioral issues.)
  • We host digital, interactive courses that create a unique experience for every classroom using project-based learning with online modules orchestrating the SEL curriculum.
  • We are a comprehensive curriculum and signage program that both establishes a positive school climate and reinforces the message with Respectful reminder signs.
  • Fulfills hundreds of state and College and Career Readiness Common Core Standards.
  • We are a perfect asset to your cross-curricular plans and instructional needs. We’ve designed our modules to hit standards from science, to social studies, ELA to math. With our on-boarding support, all educators can teach Respectful Ways.
  • Courses are designed to give you the flexibility to teach when you want and how you want — on your schedule.
  • Easy-to-follow lesson plans and turn-key activities. We’ve done the class prep for you!
  • Full on-boarding support and continued training for all faculty.
  • Age-appropriate courses for three grade levels — including high school!
  • Better student engagement. Our fun activities and lessons use pop culture trends. We speak their language!
  • All our 6th through 12th grade modules offer original Rap songs to highlight the respectful messaging! Students read along and sing to the beat of the rap.
  • If your school adopted PBIS, your challenge is finding good SEL curriculum. We are your solution to PBIS curriculum mandates! Our lesson plans integrate with your PBIS matrix.
  • We hear you! Educator surveys are studied and used to make curriculum improvements. If appropriate, your suggestions are updated and digitally uploaded immediately. We also offer Pre- and Post-surveys for the children to fill out so you can monitor the effectiveness before and after each module is taught.
  • Online support community including a student forum, parent and educator discussion groups, educational webinars and Respectful Session Workshopsfor enhanced SEL training.
  • Parent involvement with every module, including “Respectful Ways Home Connects” that detail the lessons and SEL language students learn each week. All our “Home Connects” materials are offered in Spanish as well!

Program overview

We help you teach Emotional Intelligence.

Respectful Ways provides character education through a combination of preproduced online lessons and classroom aids and activities for three age groups: PreK-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade and 6th-12th grade. There are 18 modules for each age group, for a total of 54 unique courses, comprising a full year of curriculum.

Through a variety of guided activities, students learn the core competencies of Social Emotional Learning: Compassion, Perseverance, Respect and Responsibility. We call this CPRR — helping you pump the heart into your students.

Each module comes with detailed, easy-to-follow lesson plans, research-based activities and classroom aids that make teaching a breeze.

We also provide Respectful Signage™ for your classroom and common areas to supplement the message and reinforce a positive school climate.  Other reinforcement tools include banners, pins and posters for the school, and special awards and rewards for the students.

Our character development program is perfect for schools, camps, after-school programs and community youth groups.

If your school has adopted PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports), Respectful Ways works hand-in-hand with your PBIS behavioral matrix.

Ready to see a Demo?

About the courses

There are 5 interactive activities per module, each designed to be taught in 30-minute sessions over a two-week period.

Since every child learns differently, our activities are varied to ensure that each individual student feels involved and engaged. The project-based learning includes discussion, crafts, games, group activities, performances, writing, personal reflection and more.

The first activity in every course is the “Lets Chat Conversation Cards” which breaks the ice and allows kids to explore their feelings on the day’s topic. Next up is the “Time to Rhyme” activity, where students recite, analyze and expound upon original poetry. The following 3 activities are research-based and unique to each course. Each reinforces the message in varied, creative ways to ensure that every student is engaged.

Each course is guided by the character Riley Ways, the students’ ambassador who learns and grows with the students.

Check out an online course.

 

 

Contact us for a free consultation.

Let’s discuss your students’ needs to see if Respectful Ways is right for your school or youth group. Call Pam McNall at 678.464.0962.

 

Already have a Character Education program?

Respectfully, ours is better: We offer complete lesson plans for all ages, in a modern, online format that kids can relate to. Our turnkey lesson plans are more convenient and easier to teach. Plus, our online platform allows us to be more agile — we update content regularly, and even customize it to your school!

But if you already have a program in place, Respectful Ways courses can augment your existing SEL solution. You can access individual modules a la carte to directly address your school’s specific behavioral issues. You can assemble your own curriculum, or simply purchase classroom signs and awards!

We encourage you to adopt our risk-free trial program so you can experience the advantages firsthand.

 

Compete Lesson Plans by Age Group

We’ve done the work for you. Our research suggests a lesson plan comprised of specific modules for these three specific age groups. There are 18 modules for each level, to be taught every two weeks over the 36-week school year. If you want additional ideas, see the full list of available modules.

 

Pre-K to 2nd Grade

3rd to 5th Grade

6th to 12th Grade

Choose Your Own Curriculum

We offer 54 different subjects for character education. Explore the available modules under each of the Four Pillars. Each module was initially designed for the appropriate age group, but all modules can be adapted to other age groups, or customized to your school’s needs.

Our research recommends rotating between the Four Pillars (Compassion, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility) and that a new module be taught to students every two weeks.

For the 36-week school year, choose 18 Guides — 4 or 5 module lessons from each of the categories to build a well-rounded curriculum.

Compassion

Perseverance

Respect

Responsibility 

 

 

Here’s what you get.

Below is our Full Service Respectful Ways Program, but your program can be customized to fit your individual schools needs.

STUDENTS
  • 270 Research-Based, Diverse Activities to Fully Explore the Lessons
  • Original Poems, Lyrics, Songs and “Promise” Pledges
  • Physical Respectful Signs for the Classrooms and Common Areas
  • 3 Grade Tiers: Pre-K to 2nd, 3rd to 5th and 6th Grade +
  • 4 Expertly Crafted Umbrella Curriculum Modules
  • 54 Total Exploratory Guides
  • 162 Exploratory “Let’s Chat!” Questions to Spur Deeper Guide Understanding
SCHOOL WIDE
  • Customized After School Program
  • Customized Banners and Respectful Signage to establish a Positive School Culture
  • Parent Involvement with Every Module, Including “Respectful Ways Parent Page” PDFs Detailing the Lessons and SEL Language Students Learned
  • Parent Discussion Groups
  • School Rallies with Custom Banner
  • Customized Program Planning with CEO
  • School Counselor Support
  • Fundraising Opportunities With An Emphasis On Community Engagement
TEACHERS
  • An Online Portal hosting all your modules with Added Comprehensive Teaching Tools
  • Full On-Board Training by Trained RW Staff
  • Online Teacher Community and Educator Discussion Forum
  • Educational Webinars and Respectful Session Workshops
  • Integrative App Support
  • Access to CEO for Onsite Teacher Training and Support
  • Companion Teacher Guide Supplements
  • Live and Recorded Webinars with Award Winning Educators, Best-Selling Authors and Child Psychologists
Key Places To Find The Best Beaches & Snorkeling Adventures

Key Places To Find The Best Beaches & Snorkeling Adventures

Mar 1, 2018

The Cayman Islands have got to be heaven on earth with a thousand possible things you can do, the kinds of people you are bound to meet, and the wonderful adventures that await you. With its three major islands: the Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman—you will never run out of opportunities to explore the tropical nature of this majestic place and the awesome marine culture.

In line with that, The Cayman Islands boast some of the world’s best beaches and snorkeling adventures. So, we have rounded up and narrowed down the choices to four of the best beaches to relax at and participate in snorkeling adventures:

  • Get close with the starfishes at Starfish Point

 

With its shallow waters of up to 1.5 meters, Starfish Point at North Sound is a perfect haven for the starfishes. The best thing about it? The admission is FREE! The Starfish Point, as its name suggests, boasts wild starfishes which have the total freedom to live there as they please so the number of starfishes that you will see at your preferred schedule may vary. Here are some factors to take mental note of when you go there:

 

  • You may encounter some locals who will gladly take you on a tour to the Starfish Point via boat and this is preferred by most tourists as driving for an hour on an unfamiliar road can seem daunting to them. Whereas if you travel via boat, it’s faster, more efficient, and you can exchange stories with the locals.   
  • You are not allowed to take the starfish out of the water and it is illegal as it puts them under immense stress. You would still be able to take beautiful photographs of them with credits to the crystal clear waters.
  • The place is in a remote location. Therefore, prepare to bring snacks, sunscreen, and water beforehand.

 

  • Swim with the stingrays at Stingray City

 

If you’ve never seen a stingray in person, then it would be best to see it in the Caribbean. The Stingray City Sandbar in Grand Cayman is a go-to place for all tourists looking for a simple adventure such as swimming with these wide-winged underwater creatures. Here’s what you need to know when you plan to go there:

  • It wasn’t their place of origin. Decades ago, these southern stingrays started flocking to the area when a fisherman would clean the guts of his fishes along the sandbar. Feasting on the opportunity, the stingrays found a new home where they can survive and be fed.
  • The stingrays are used to having humans around them. In fact, they associate the distant sound of a motorboat as a signal that food is coming.
  • Stingray City Sandbar is now their natural habitat. If you want a photo taken with dozens of stingrays around you, then you should visit this place!

 

  • Spend the day at the beach at bioluminescent bay

 

Enjoying the beach is a top to-do on anyone’s vacation list. How to transform a relaxing day at the beach into more of an adventure? Enjoy the beach at bioluminescent bay. Here’s what you need to know about this experience:

  • You can sign up for a fun eco-friendly tour and there will be guides who know where to find these “living lights.”
  • You can bring your whole family to this experience! Run your hands through the water and see the beautiful glow of these microorganisms.
  • No experience necessary for this activity, however, swimming is prohibited to preserve the creatures as chemicals on your skin and hair may not be damaging to you, but may be damaging to them. Also, there could be instances of jellyfish swimming around so instances of stinging may occur.

 

  • Go snorkeling at Buccaneer’s Beach

 

Right off Cayman Brac, you can go diving and snorkeling in the crystal clear water and see all the beautiful coral formations along with the flourishing school of fishes swimming around you. Here are some additional activities that you can do while you’re at it:

  • You can also try snorkeling on the north side of the island which is called Radar Reef. It is a tad bit rocky here so protection for your feet is needed.
  • Many tourists look forward to this activity whenever they’re in Cayman Brac

 

See, you’ll always find ways to keep yourself busy when you’re in the Cayman Islands on a caribbean lifestyle holiday. With its abundance of nature and natural resources and limitless opportunities for snorkeling adventures,  you will always find yourself enjoying every second spent in this place.

George was born in the Cayman Islands, and has a passion for writing about the best things to do in the Cayman Islands and about a caribbean lifestyle. He travels a lot, and blogs to his audience about his journeys.

 

How To Help Your Mind Learning Piano Lessons

How To Help Your Mind Learning Piano Lessons

Feb 12, 2018

By Jordan Douglas

Learning piano lessons can be a fruitful activity in itself, but it’s not the easiest thing to do. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to learn. Sometimes it takes a bit of mental clarity in order to get the best approach to learning piano lessons the way you want to. What better way to achieve that mental readiness but to find ways to help your mind learn? The tips below on how to help your mind learning piano lessons can give you the kind of clarity you need in order to approach your piano lessons better.

Do remember that these tips take practice and time to learn, and they sometimes work best when paired with other methodologies as well. If you have personal learning methods, perhaps it’s a good idea to incorporate the tricks below with them. Remember, while music is a creative endeavor, similar to other forms of arts, you do still need to understand how the basics fully work in order for you to make masterpieces of your own.

Psychology Today explains that while learning as adults may take a bit of time given their experiences and their current state of mind, it’s not totally impossible to achieve learning with the right tools. Perhaps a good way to achieving this isn’t to learn fast, but to learn smart.

Piano Lessions Begin With Mind Setting

None of the tips will work unless you remind yourself that it’s only within the proper frame of mind that the tips are able to improve your learning. If you’re prepared to try to follow the tips mentioned below, then you must be prepared to commit yourself to them. Commitment takes time, effort, patience, and most importantly the proper mindset.

  • This means when you do decide on taking up piano lessons, make sure you set aside time to reflect on your choice and the kind of impacts they will have in your life. Not only will these lessons help you learn, but they will take a significant amount of your time. You may opt to practice instead of eating out, watching television, playing games, or hanging out with friends. These are compromises you have to make, and these are things you have to consider.
  • If you’re a newbie, or a returning pianist, remember that learning how to play takes a lot of time and patience. Being able to move the keys the way a grandmaster does will not be done in seven days, and as such should be something you should consider. It’s only with persistent training are you going to be able to move your fingers the way you want to.

It Begins By Patience, Practice

Remember that learning anything takes time: it takes patience and practice on your end before you are going to be able to learn piano the way you want to. This means you have to be patient with the kind of things you want to be able to do. Aside from mind setting, you can start by creating a plan on the kind of things you want to learn and how you want to approach the learning process.

  • You don’t necessarily have to learn everything in a short span of time. You can always try to set reasonable objectives within certain time frames, so you can actually work on them slowly and at your own steady pace. This allows you to explore more opportunities that might help you be able to learn more.
  • Set a schedule that will allow you to deviate from your usual piano lesson routine and instead experiment. Sometimes it’s when you experiment and have fun that allows you to learn the kinds of techniques you need.
  • Start with the basics first. It’s important to explore the stuff you want to explore, but this is done best when you’ve actually learned the basics of what you need to learn when it comes to playing the piano.

It Begins By Forming A Network

When it’s said that one should form a network when pursuing a hobby, it’s not necessarily just a network of contacts. If you want to perform in a band, you might want to devote some time of your training to researching about how pianists fit in bands and what songs they play. Another consideration is to find  yourself with like minded people in order to motivate yourself to learn.

  • This process allows you to expand your reach and have other reasons to learn, which is in this case, to be with your own network and allow others to teach you and vice-versa.
  • If you’re looking into an accessible and convenient way to access comprehensive piano lessons with your peers, Playgroundsessions.com might be the service for you.

Conclusion

Piano lessons are great ways to expand your horizons when it comes to music, but they aren’t exactly easy to learn. They aren’t exactly impossible to digest, either. Perhaps appropriate mind setting and creative techniques can greatly help your mind learn piano lessons a bit easier, and can propel your way to an entirely new level of appreciating music.

 

Jordan Douglas

Jordan is a keen musician who enjoys playing gigs in his local town. He hopes to one day make it big as a musician and loves to teach those who want to learn about music. He recommends Playgroundsessions.com. In his spare time if he’s not strumming his guitar or playing the piano, he’s spending time with friends.

5 Ways to Motivate Students to Learn

5 Ways to Motivate Students to Learn

Oct 20, 2017

By Annabelle Fee

Getting students to sit down and prepare for class or an exam can be quite difficult. There are thousands of things students would rather do than study. But rather than to simply blame the students for their laziness or disinterest, it is far more productive to assess the methods used and see how to improve the relationship between students and education.

 

  • Interesting material

 

Materials matter. Often, it is hard for students to understand why they need to know certain information and what role could that possibly have in their lives. Learning is much more difficult when you see no point in it. A way to avoid this from happening is to use examples from real life rather than academic ones. This can be especially useful for getting more students understanding the point of science studies.

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  • Praise them

 

Make sure to tell them when do well in class or on a test. Write a positive note on their essay together with constructive criticism, it is important to include both for the best possible future results. Also, when writing words of praise, try to be specific with your praise, concentrating on the work rather than a student characteristic. E.g. ‘You have clear, strong arguments,’ is much better than ‘You are really smart.’ Here are some dos and don’ts.

 

  • Expect them to do well

 

Students can be very sensitive to expectations and if they think you don’t expect much from them, they can easily stop trying. Even worse, they can start believing they will never achieve anything more than their current level. Set up realistic expectations of level of improvement for each and every student and be sure to communicate it to the students. Tell them you know they can and will do better if they try. You can then offer them personalized advice on how to do it.

 

  • Enjoy what you do

 

Students notice when their teacher is not interested in the job they are doing and the teacher’s dislike for the class will be mirrored in the form of the response from students. It is understandable that after a while of teaching the same materials, you can get bored. You should try and mix up the materials for your own sake to keep things interesting. Furthermore, engaging students to actively participate in class should make each class unique and more interesting to all parties involved.

 

  • Make sure you teach for all learning styles

 

Different students have different learning styles. Some learn best by listening, others by reading or even watching videos, and then again some by doing things themselves. Try to incorporate all styles in your classes so that every student can get something useful out of it. For the best results, provide your students with a range of different materials for home study so they can use the ones they find most useful.

Hopefully, this will help with planning your classes, but make sure to keep on investigating because new studies emerge every day. Whether you work at school or offer private tuition, a teacher’s job is never done and a great teacher will keep up with new findings, wanting the best for their students. However, don’t forget to also talk to your students and ask them what could help them improve their performance. They often know the answer but feel it is inappropriate for them to speak on the topic. You can do a questionnaire for them to fulfil, and possibly it would be best to give it as an anonymous homework. It doesn’t hurt to try.

Annabelle is part of the Content and Community team at SmileTutor, sharing valuable content to their own community and beyond.

First Impressions Count: How Professional Landscaping Can Enhance Your Company’s Image

First Impressions Count: How Professional Landscaping Can Enhance Your Company’s Image

Oct 8, 2017

By Sharon Jones

When it comes to making a success of any business, the first thing on your mind should be first impressions when it comes to the exterior of your commercial property. Remember that this is the first thing that potential clients, partners and other individuals bearing business opportunities will see. Not only will it give them a feel for how your company and brand present themselves to the outside world, but it is an image that will last in their memory, while they are making their way to the meeting room, engaging with you, occupying their thoughts as they leave, and coming to mind every time you and your business spring to their mind. So make it positive. Here are just a few ways that professional landscaping can transform your company’s space into an impressive and attractive entity in its own right.

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Walkways

First things first, you need to ensure that anyone entering your commercial property has a clearly visible, unobstructed walkway to enter the building. Any meeting that commences late due to your guest getting lost on your company’s grounds or en route into the building isn’t getting off on the right foot. You will have been kept waiting, and the individual you are engaging with will be flustered or frustrated, having made it to the general area on time only to find themselves lost at the last hurdle. Concrete slabs are preferable, as gravel or other types of loose flooring can pose a trip hazard and be difficult to navigate in certain types of footwear. It can also cast up dust and dirt when dry.

Greenery

Adding some well-kept greenery to your exteriors gives your business a more approachable and natural touch. The key to this, however, is to keep everything prim and proper. Overgrown lawns and out of control foliage is never a good look. So, bring in a professional landscape architect who will be able to design the perfect layout for your professional gardens while suggesting the most appropriate trees and plants that will bloom in your given area. You should also employ a gardener around once a fortnight to give everything a neaten up and keep things in shape.

Statues

Statues are an eye catching statement piece that can be used to exemplify your business’ area of expertise or specialism. Say, for example, you deal in golfing goods. A bronze golfer statue, such as those found at https://atthetee.com/top-10-golf-statues/, will give any visitors comfort that they are in the right place, as well as demonstrating your dedication to the area and adding a touch of luxury and expense to your brand at the same time.

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Water Features

Water features are, again, an extra addition that can make your exteriors radiate opulence and luxury. This again goes towards making your brand stand out as a serious competitor in its field. These can vary from the small to the grandiose. So choose wisely depending on the space you have available. Bear in mind the running expenses when choosing a design too.

These different additions to your company’s exterior will draw all the right kinds of attention to you, your services and your brand. It will also provide you and your employees or coworkers with a more agreeable and attractive place to work. It’s win-win!


Books That Still Have Relevance For Modern Life

Books That Still Have Relevance For Modern Life

Aug 21, 2017

Literature is a wonderful way to enrich your life and have adventures without moving a muscle, except to run a page. However, classic novels can be a turnoff for some. For others, they’re a staple of their reading diet. So many books nowadays have different styles due to times changing and common tropes and writing styles changing with them. However, there are quite a few books from the last couple of centuries that still have some incredible pointers for modern life. Below are a few of these such novels.

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If you want to look further into these authors, their creations can be found both online and in store. All the books in this list can be found in any good bookshop, and you can even find multiple coupons for money off deals at sites such as DontPayFull.com due to the popularity and age of these kind of novels. Metaphorical lessons stand the test of time, and paperbacks never go out of style after all.

1984 - George Orwell

You’ll find this book on any Penguin.com reading list, and for good reason. 1984 is a prime example of dystopian fiction. With the outside world having stronger and stronger elements of surveillance and control, this book is still a contender for modern life. Many TV shows have taken their name from famous quotes, and it comments on the problems of consuming mass produced media. This particularly hits the spot with literature nowadays, whilst not bad or evil, often has examples of quickly published books of poor quality.

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

Charlotte Bronte’s world famous novel caused quite a stir in its day. Considering the fact that it’s still relevant today as a piece of feminist fiction, it must have been downright scandalous in the Victorian era. However, it still strikes a cord due to Jane’s rights to her own life and love, and escaping the overbearing control of Thornfield and the infamous Mr Rochester.

The Outsiders - S.E.Hinton

This book is written from the honest point of view of a person in their ripe teen years. S.E.Hinton wrote this at age 16, and it portrays feeling like an outsider with the motif of class struggle between the rich and poor. Similarly, the book details becoming part of a group or clique in high school in a harrowing way. This is as relevant as ever, and is an understanding read for any teen.

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is a book about how to navigate romance properly. Mr Darcy isn’t your typical brooding bad boy that he’s typically thought of as, and that’s why this book is still so relevant. Austen uses this still common trope and turns it on its head; by allowing both Darcy and Elizabeth to change and overcome their prejudice for each. Most of all, the novel is a learning journey, and still has a place in every reader’s heart because of how it affects us all in a personal way.




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