Habit+1+-++Be+Proactive



__** Habit 1: Be Proactive **__ · Take initiative · Be responsible · Choose your actions, attitudes and moods · Do not blame others for my wrong actions · Do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking

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Jacqui - We have the ability to change the lives of our children by modeling responsible adult behavior and teaching our kids how to do the right thing. __﻿ __

__**Carol J. Our modeling of responsible behavior does have a positive influence on studen **__**ts.**

** Lisa T. -- I believe being a proactice teacher requires 5 things: ** ** 1. Preparation - Greet the students at the door with a smile and have a daily start-up activity when they enter the room. ** ** 2. Organization - Make your lessons and run off copies well in advance to presenting the lessons; keep the classroon well organized (something I personally need to work on...LOL) ** ** 3. Discipline - Must have discipline in the classroom in order for learning to progress. Have a plan in place to help control outbursts in the room and let the students know they have a choice: continue to disrupt and go to the office OR cooperaste with the rules of the classroom. ** ** 4. Cooperation - A teacher must cooperate with the students as well as with other teachers and the administration. Strive to maintain a good relationship with everyone. ** ** 5. Empathy - Know that all students have needs and have solutions ready for routine problems that might occur such as going to the restroom or to get water. **

** Michelle - Teaching children to take responsibility instead of blaming others is a HUGE lesson for fifth graders. Students learn by watching and listening to US!!! ** ** ﻿Katie - Our actions speak VOLUMES!! Choosing our actions and moods,not blaming others for wrong actions, and doing the right thing even when no one is looking are characteristics that we assume are taught at home. We cannot assume that anymore...it is up to us as teachers to teach and convey these habits. ** ** ﻿Denise - Children see every action we make....whether here at school or in other public situations. Children learn basic responsible behavior from observations of adults....whether the actions are good or bad. Therefore, it is imperative that we are being emulated by children and other adults. **


 * Lisa N- The five ways of being proactive are so important. Students seem to know if we are not prepared for the day. When they walk in that morning your reaction to them can set the mood for the day. We need to be aware that little eyes are watching us. Students need our love and care each day. We are responsible for each one of them and what they learn. **

Demorrius Manuel - I feel that a major part of be proactive is planning. I have noticed that well-planned lessons most often lead to the objectives being achieved by the students and also makes a huge positive difference in student behavior.

// Branch W- I believe that being proactive is important because the alternative is just sitting back and letting other aspects throughout the day dictate your plans. Students know if we as teachers are prepared for the day. If we can get the students to follow us and also be proactive overall activity as well as scores should improve. I feel that improving the overall excitement for being in school each day will go a long way towards teaching the students about being proactive. In the book the students are given so much responsibility it seemed that their excitement level increased greatly. They loved that they were in control and a part of the decision making process. // // Patricia C. - Writing lesson plans is not the highlight of my day, but I would hate to know I had to face my students each day unprepared. They depend on me each day to present the lesson and to instruct them on what they will learn each day (some with more excitement than others). Consistency plays a major role in my class: the students know where the objective is written each day, the classwork and homework assignments are in view for all to see and most of all, they feel comfortable enough to ask questions when in doubt. I believe each child can learn to take responsibility for themselves and the things they are taught. ﻿ //

Ella and Mrs. White - I am a person that has to have things planned out so that everything will run smoothly.

Somar - It is up to me to have a positive attitude everyday. That is one way I can be proactive.

Priscilla- I truly believe in being and modeling a proactive attitude each day. I try to incoroprate this into my classroom each day. Students should be taught in the early years that they are responsible for their actions. I have noticed that a lot of the younger kids try to blame someone else for their actions. I teach my students that they choose their own behavior/actions in life and that every behavior/action has a consequence. When we teach our students the importance of being proactive, they will become PROACTIVE ADULTS.

//Tonya "Mrs. Incredible" Harris// Proactive people use their resourcefulness and initiative to find solutions rather than just reporting problems and waiting for other people to solve them. Also, being proactive means assessing the situation and developing a positive response for it. Once we decide to be proactive, exactly where we focus our efforts becomes important. There are many concerns in our lives, but we do not always have control over them. Proactive people focus their efforts on the things over which they have influence, and in the process often expand their area of influence. Reactive people often focus their efforts on areas of concern over which they have no control. Their complaining and negative energy tend to shrink their circle of influence. In our profession, we have the following types of control: direct control, indirect control, or no control at all. We have direct control over problems caused by our own behavior. We can solve these problems by changing our habits. We have indirect control over problems related to other people's behavior. We can solve these problems by using various methods of human influence, such as empathy, confrontation, example, and persuasion. Many people have only a few basic methods such as fight or flight. For problems over which we have no control, first we must recognize that we have no control, and then gracefully accept that fact and make the best of the situation. I teach my students the above and try to show them how to incorporate proactive responses in their daily lives.

David Lewis To me being proactive means thinking and acting ahead - basically, this means using foresight.

**Emily Martin- I make the choice to be proactive. I try to model a positive attitude each day, even though it is hard to do, and teach my students right from wrong. It is very easy to blame others, rather than taking responsibility for our own actions. I agree with Mrs. Jimerson's statement- "our modeling of responsible behavior does have an influence on students." If we want students to be proactice, we must model how to be proactive each day.**

Regina, Kim, and Gladys All effective teachers are proactive. We try to model PROACTIVE behavior at all times. Whether we are at school, home, church, or a little league game. Parents, students, and community members are observing us at all times. If students can see us exhibiting this behavior in our daily lives this will influence them to do the right things without being asked even when we are not their to guide their decisions. 

<span style="color: #008080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Sandra - We can tell students how to behave and what kind of attitude to have but they will follow the example we set before them in our own behaviors. Children will do as you do, not as you say do.

Pam Mc., Charity, and Bobbie Mac - We feel that being proactive is taking the initiative to make things happen and believing one has the power to make positive choices that can change negative circumstances. Being proactive begans with self-awareness and grows with will power and taking responsibility for ones own actions.

Gwen, Patti, and Teresa As Priscilla said, many young children try to blame others for their actions. It is our responsibility to teach our first graders that they are responsible for their own actions and behavior. We try to model proactive behavior in all situations.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: auto;">Liz - Standing strong on always "doing the right thing" shows that as leaders we are not afraid to take responsibilty of our actions and attitudes. When we as individuals or a group fail to "do the right thing", no other should be held accountable. Becky G. - 5th graders are notorious for blaming others! Teaching children to be proactive is a HUGE first step!