THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504220085
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY HOLLY WESTER, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
IF BORING CASSEROLES, ordinary stews and dull desserts have you down, the teachers and staff of Luxford Elementary School may have a few handy suggestions.
``Luxford Elementary's Teacher Recipes Tried and True,'' a new book written and published by school staff members, is packed with unique recipes.
Written in cookbook form, it's a collection of more than 30 suggestions and programs used to promote positive behaviors in students. For example:
FIVE STAR MAGIC TREATS
Ingredients:
Poster board
Star stickers
Treats
Various games
Students must mix well with good behavior and cooperation within the library to earn stars for their class.
When five stars are earned, the children will be rewarded with a fun activity (video, games, tape playing, crafts, etc.) and a special treat (popcorn party).
The recipes, which are filed under titles such as soups and salads, main courses and desserts, are teacher-written activities, complete with ingredients and directions. Each has its own way for congratulating either a group of students or an individual on a job well done.
``We want to continue to recognize all the good things the children are doing,'' said guidance counselor Judi Heiser, chairwoman of the school's Positive Incentives Committee - the group that produced the book.
As the school's action team for behavior, the nine-member committee came up with the idea last year.
``Part of our strategic plan is working on school climate,'' Heiser said. ``We want to encourage good behavior and keep the discipline count low.''
Figuring out a way to do this across the grade levels, while staying positive, proved to be a challenge.
``We felt like there were a lot of good things going on in the school,'' she added, ``but since everyone is so busy with their kids, we aren't always able to recognize what the teachers are doing within their classrooms.''
First-grade teacher Anne Akey, a committee member, figured a cookbook would tackle that barrier.
``I've always thought it was a neat gimmick for ideas,'' said Akey, who has been teaching at Luxford for 19 years.
The committee agreed and it was a done deal. ``It was a perfect solution,'' Heiser said. ``We thought it would be a great avenue for sharing information. Everybody has their own thing that's working for them.''
Last spring, staff members submitted their favorite behavior modification strategies, and last month, 50 copies of the 59-page book were released.
Teachers couldn't be more satisfied with the results.
``Every once in a while you think, `Nothing works forever,' '' Akey said. ``It's nice to have a handy little reference filled with variety.''
The teamwork needed to make this a success was also praised.
``It was really a team effort,'' said first-grade teacher Lori Alexander. ``It gives a lot of people ideas.''
Although the students haven't been involved with or informed of the project, they're reaping its benefits everyday.
``It's really good for their self-esteem,'' Heiser said. ``They love that praise and they love that recognition.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by HOLLY WESTER
"We want to continue to recognize all the good things the children
are doing," says guidance counselor Judi Heiser, chariwoman of the
school's Positive Incentives Committee - the group that produced the
recipe book.
LUXFORD RECIPES
[For a copy of the recipes, see microfilm for this date.]
KEYWORDS: EDUCATION by CNB