Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School: 48 Character-Building Lessons to Foster Respect and Prevent Bullying

by Naomi Drew M.A., Christa Tinari M.A.

Overview

Practical, research-based lessons for middle school educators to teach students pro-social attitudes and behaviors to prevent bullying.

Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School focuses on positive and pro-social attitudes and behaviors that build a respectful and compassionate school environment, while also addressing the tough issues of prejudice, anger, exclusion, and bullying. Through role-playing, perspective-taking, sharing, writing, discussion, and more, students develop the insights and skills they need to accept differences, resolve conflicts peacefully, stop bullying among peers, and create a community of kindness in their classrooms and school. Based on survey data gathered by the authors from more than 1,000 students, the book’s research-based lessons are easy to implement and developmentally appropriate. Digital content includes student handouts from the book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781631981616
Publisher:	Free Spirit Publishing
Publication date:	10/02/2017
Series:	Free Spirit Professional®
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	11 - 13 Years

About the Author

Naomi Drew, M.A., is an expert on conflict resolution and peacemaking. Her work has been instrumental in introducing the skills of peacemaking to public education and has been recognized by educational leaders throughout the United States and Canada. Naomi is also a dynamic and inspiring speaker. She serves as a consultant to school districts, parent groups, and civic organizations and is a registered provider with the New Jersey State Department of Education Character Education Network. She lives in New Jersey.
 
Christa M. Tinari, M.A., is passionate about the power of education to bring justice and peace to our classrooms, neighborhoods, and beyond. She believes that in order to shape and nurture the whole child, education must inspire hearts as much as expand minds. Christa is a presenter at major international and national conferences and consults with schools across the United States. She is an adjunct instructor at colleges of education where she teaches educators-in-training, is an expert in social-emotional learning and bullying prevention, and is the founder and director of PeacePraxis Educational Services. She lives in Pennsylvania.
 

Editorial Reviews

An easy read that can be used as a roadmap for schools developing a character-building curriculum to cultivate positive relationships with students and staff, leading to a culture of kindness and empathy.

School Administrator magazine

This book is exactly what educators need, now more than ever: A blueprint for providing kids with the skills not only to prevent bullying, but to fundamentally change their schools and their world. With Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School, Naomi Drew and Christa Tinari have added a timely and valuable resource to the literature on empathy, respect, school climate, and bullying prevention.

Michele Borba

Create a Culture of Kindness begins as if you are having a conversation with the wisest and most supportive teachers you have ever spoken to. This is worth the price alone, but you will soon see that the lessons also reflect wisdom and deep respect for children’s competence and potential. This book gives you the tools needed to create an organized, respectful classroom filled with students who are more mindful and therefore more ready to engage in learning and positive relationships. Its lessons on compassion, in particular, should be mandatory in every middle school.

Maurice J. Elias

Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School is the single most impactful book I’ve seen on transforming a culture of bullying into one that reliably promotes kindness. It is essential reading for every middle school educator and for every parent of a middle school student. It takes intention, courage, and powerful protocols to create a school culture that empowers students to flourish, both emotionally and academically. Naomi Drew and Christa Tinari deliver the goods in this practical, wise, and inspiring guide.

Marilee Adams

Create a Culture of Kindness in Middle School brilliantly covers all the bases, with a hands-on approach to building important skills like compassion, empathy, listening, anger management, coping tools, personal responsibility, and respect for diversity. This timely and important manual includes practical activities, questions, and resources to engage students and help them recognize their interconnectedness, their capacity to change deeply held beliefs, and the potential they each have to make a difference—all while helping to preserve civility, respect, and common decency in our world.

Jane Bluestein

An easy read that can be used as a roadmap for schools developing a character-building curriculum to cultivate positive relationships with students and staff, leading to a culture of kindness and empathy.”


“An easy read that can be used as a roadmap for schools developing a character-building curriculum to cultivate positive relationships with students and staff, leading to a culture of kindness and empathy.”


“An easy read that can be used as a roadmap for schools developing a character-building curriculum to cultivate positive relationships with students and staff, leading to a culture of kindness and empathy.”


“An easy read that can be used as a roadmap for schools developing a character-building curriculum to cultivate positive relationships with students and staff, leading to a culture of kindness and empathy.

From the Publisher