Keep It Simple, Make It Real

Jan Olsson has been an elementary and secondary teacher, a high school department head in physical and health education and student services, a vice-principal, and for the past two years was chairperson of the Trillium Lakelands District school board’s character development committee. Currently, he is principal of Huntsville High School and co-chair of Schools That Shine with Character, a national character education conference organized by Huntsville High School. Olsson completed his master′s of character education at the University of San Diego. He is also a professional musician, a basketball coach of 25 years, and enjoys speaking on topics related to character education. Olsson is specifically interested in school-based administration and interpersonal relationships, and the impact that modeling character development can have on creating a positive school climate. Keep It Simple, Make It Real: Character Development in Grades 6-12 is his first book.

“Jan Olsson uses his experience as a teacher and administrator to offer educators and community leaders a must-read, what-works-and-what-doesn’t book on character development in schools. This exceptionally well-organized, practical, and very impressive work should be on every administrator’s and character educator’s desk. Olsson redefines the lens through which educators view the factors that impact school climate, teacher-student relationships, student behavior, and ultimately the character development of young people.”

• Foreword by Philip Fitch VincentPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. Living, Learning, and Leading in Harmony: Character Development in Middle and Secondary SchoolsCurrent Perspectives on Character DevelopmentIntroductionCurrent Perspectives on Character DevelopmentAcademic Achievement and Students′ Beliefs, Attitudes, and BehaviorsKeept It Simple, Make It RealA Character Development Framework for SchoolsSome Final ThoughtsQuotes2. Safe and Inviting Physical Environment: Physical Environments That Change BehaviorAspects of the Physical Environment That Impact On Achievement and Character DevelopmentAspects of the Physical Environment Affecting HealthAspects of the Environment Affecting SafetyAspects of the Physical Environment Affecting Physiological NeedsAspects of the Physical Environment Affecting MoraleSome Final ThoughtsQuotes3. Modeling Good Character: The Role of Principals and TeachersIntroductionModeling the Three EsThe First E: The Power of ExperienceThe Second E: The Power of ExchangeThe Third E: The Power of EmpowermentSome Final ThoughtsQuotes4. Establishing Rules and Procedures for Civility: Creating a Positive School and Classroom EnvironmentIntroductionThe Need for Discipline in Establishing a Positive School ClimateProgressive DisciplinePositive Behavioral Interventions, Supports, and ConsequencesSome Final ThoughtsQuotes5. Making Curricular Connections: Teaching Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character DevelopmentIntroductionCurriculum Priorities in Character DevelopmentThe R.I.T.E. of Curriculum PassageCurricular and Cocurricular Opportunities That Connect Student Learning to Character DevelopmentSome Final ThoughtsQuotes6. Assessing Character DevelopmentIntroductionMonitoring Character DevelopmentCreating the Assessment ToolSome Final ThoughtsQuotesResource A: Sample Character Development Framework for Schools: Trillium Lakelands District School BoardResource B: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Tools for the Character Development Framework for SchoolsResource C: Sample Strategic Plan for Schoolwide Character DevelopmentResource D: Sample Lesson PlansResource E: Sample Assessment and Evaluation Poster Embedding Character DevelopmentResource F: Sample Code of BehaviorReferences