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MAKE YOUR DAY is based on a philosophy that promotes development of an
internal locus of control in students. The basic tenets of this philosophy are
built on human dignity and responsibility. Students understand that their
actions result in fair, logical, and predictable consequences that are enforced
in a manner that preserves their dignity. When one internalizes the philosophy
inherent in Make Your Day; the structure and how to utilize it become obvious.
There is no need for a “cookbook” that covers all possible actions and reactions
within the school environment.
Free will and choice are important components of Make Your Day that enhance the
students’ ability to develop an internal locus of control. However,
understanding this concept can be the most difficult transition for school staff
who would like to “help” students make “correct” decisions. Allowing students to
make choices provides them with opportunities to learn through their successes
and failures. Make Your Day affords students the opportunity to assess their
academic and behavioral performance frequently so that there is time for error
and recovery. The Make Your Day philosophy supports each student’s right to
succeed or fail. Students who choose to take part in the learning environment
put forth a distinctly higher level of effort. Those students who choose to “opt
out” are given the opportunity to do it in a way that does not effect the
learning of others.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, a consequence is defined as the “…result of
an action.” (p. 127) This differs from Webster’s definition of punishment, which
is a “…penalty or harsh treatment.” (p. 462) Students perceive and understand
the difference between consequences and punishment. Although “fairness” is an
ambiguous personal experience, there is a consensus among students that a
consistent environment, a high regard for privacy, and an understanding of
individual needs result in a feeling of being treated fairly. Make Your Day
allows students to make decisions that result in fair, reasonable, predictable,
and (for the teacher) enforceable consequences, which immediately follow a
behavior that interferes with the learning or safety of others.
An important construct of Make Your Day is that the staff expectations of
student behavior and academics are explicitly stated. Empowering students by
allowing them to participate actively in the implementation of Make Your Day
results in the students’ acceptance of the cooperatively established limits.
Only then can assessment and consequences be perceived as fair and positive.
Whether the instructional expectations are individual or group oriented, quiet,
or highly interactive, an underlying consistent structure must exist. Removing
“payoffs” such as overt emotionality, an audience, or attention for negative
behaviors minimizes the drive many students have to misbehave. Following the
steps of this program without variation will alleviate these “payoffs” for the
disruptive student. When students take ownership in the parameters necessary for
optimal learning, teachers can teach and students can learn.
MAKE YOUR DAY is no more than the understanding that EVERY STUDENT HAS THE RIGHT
TO LEARN IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
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