The Positivity Project has been invaluable to Pittsburgh Lincoln PreK-5. When we were first looking for a different program to use with our students, we looked at several different character education programs. The Positivity Project stood out to us because it addresses all of the character traits necessary to give our students the tools to become good citizens. From a teacher’s standpoint, this is the most teacher-friendly character education program available. We aligned the character traits with our positive behavior intervention and support system (PBIS), PRIDE. By aligning the P2 character traits to our PBIS, we created a more meaningful common language for all teachers and staff to use when talking about how student behavior reflects in their character. Our PBIS lesson plans have been designed to incorporate the P2 character traits and are taught in conjunction with the P2 lessons. We have built our PRIDE system on the key character traits of P – Perseverance, R – Responsible Citizen, I – Showing Integrity, D – Demonstrating Compassion, and E – Being an Explorer. We arranged the other character traits under the key traits. (See the chart below)
Pittsburgh Lincoln PRIDE = P2 Character Traits
| P
Perseverance
|
R
Responsible Citizen
|
I
Integrity
|
D
Demonstrate Compassion
|
E
Explorer
|
| Perseverance,
Bravery,
Enthusiasm,
Self-Control
|
Gratitude,
Leadership,
Teamwork,
Perspective,
Open-mindedness
|
Integrity,
Purpose, Prudence, Humility, Fairness,
|
Love,
Kindness, Social Intelligence,
Appreciation of Beauty, Forgiveness
|
Optimism, Humor, Love of Learning, Curiosity, Creativity |
The Positivity Project has helped to decrease our student discipline and suspension rate significantly over the years. By providing students with character strengths, we’re empowering our students with tools that are relevant to their lives now and as they move on to middle and high school.
