Practice Thirteen – Suggested Uses of a Creed

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Suggested Uses of a Creed

  1. Daily recitation or reflection upon the creed individually, in a small group, or as a whole group/class/team applying it to situations that occur during the school day. Suggestions:
    1. Choose grouping strategy.
    2. Choose recitation (a creed, a line of the creed, or supporting materials). May be chosen by leader or learners.
    3. Assign time (2-3 minutes) for recitation, reflection and sharing ideas.The following strategies allow for engagement by all learners.
      1. Verbal fluency strategy
      2. Minute Mania Verbal Fluency 
      3. Self-reflection Strategies 
      4. Allow 3-4 individuals to share their thoughts and ideas (oral or written)

    End on a positive note…point out ideas that support or connect to the Eight Expectations for Living, Life Principles, or a word/phrase of the creed.

  2. Feedback - Focus on the positive and you will see more positive. Use words from the chosen creed or the Eight Expectations for Living:
    1. to highlight desired behaviors and attitudes demonstrated by learners.
    2. to support a learner’s effort to meet objectives or goals.
    3. to celebrate successes.
    4. Resources:
      1. Self Reflection Writing Stems 4x4
      2. One Minute Feedback  4x4 
      3. Feedback Resources - 10+ strategies
  3. Use the creed or selected phrases from the creed
    1. to redirect undesired behaviors
      1. Creating Positive Dialogue by Redirecting with Quotes - Examples of alternate dialogue using quotes and printable quote posters
    2. to refocus on goals or desired behaviors.
    3. to restate your expectations for the desired behavior.
    4. to remind learners of their purpose and their commitment to learning.
  4. Use when resolving conflict situations:
    1. by having the parties involved apply the creed to the choices made in the situation
      1. Hint: If the inquiry is made as a statement instead of a question and kept neutral with no ‘you’s’, there is less chance of the parties becoming defensive.Example:“Share with me what part of the creed was not being lived out in the choice/s that were made.”**Note: Encourage application to Eight Expectations for Living as well as the Life Principles.
  5. Group Recitation helps to build a climate of unity and mutual respect.
    1. Choose the 8 Expectations for Living or create a class/team creed that sets a standard for the desired behaviors and attitudes to be displayed.
    2. Recite a creed or selections from a creed daily to build unity and team spirit.
    3. Use recitations during transitions and to refocus learners after state changes, transitions or disruptions.
    4. Use part of creed as a callback.
      1. Hand and Verbal Signals for Class Management
  6. Reference the creed during a discussion of a story, other pieces of literature, or a current event.
    1. ‘Hand’y Curriculum Connections - Analyze the choices/conflicts/problems in literature through the lens of the Life Principles and the Eight Expectations.
      1. Page One - Poster 1; Poster 2, Poster 3;
      2. Page Two - graphic organizer incorporate the six questions to analyze any piece of literature/curriculum content
      3. Hand'y Curriculum Connections - Digital download with poster and instructions
    2. Have students discuss and reflect on how the characters/people did or did not abide by the standards in the creed.
    3. Consider the following questions: What part of our creed was evident? How would the story/event have turned out if they had/had not abided by it?