Welcome!

“Utilizing the Five Strategies of

the Virtues Project
in the Classroom to Enhance
Student Achievement ”
What is The Virtues Project™?
A global grassroots initiative that is
transforming the cultures in homes, schools,
organizations and communities, through
awakening virtues, the gifts of character.

It strives to bring out the best in everyone.

 Founders of The Virtues Project

Dr. Dan Popov, Linda Kavelin-Popov, John Kavelin

 What Is The Vision Of
The Virtues Project™ ?
The Vision of The Virtues Project™
is to serve humanity by supporting the
moral and spiritual development of
people of all cultures, by helping them to
remember who they really are and to
live by their highest values.
 Benefits to Schools
•Attendance increases
•Student achievement increases
•Discipline referrals decrease
•Bullies are transformed into leaders
•School and classroom climate is more
peaceful
Interactive Introduction
Please pick a partner, preferably
someone you do not know.
• Pick a partner.
• Take turns interviewing one another.
• First interviewer: ask each of the questions and JUST
LISTEN.
• After you have asked ALL of the questions, GIVE A
VIRTUES ACKNOWLEDGMENT to the person
interviewed.
• WRITE THE VIRTUES you see in your partner on his/her
name Gem Tag.
• Switch roles.
• Please DO NOT TAKE NOTES… just FOCUS ON
LISTENING for virtues.
A Virtues Acknowledgment =
a VIRTUE +
how you see it
 Did you remember to
write the virtues you saw on
each other’s Gem Tags?
 CONGRATULATIONS!

You have just practiced The

Five Strategies!
The Five Strategies™ of
The Virtues Project TM

Speak the Language of Virtues

Recognize Teachable Moments
Set Clear Boundaries
Honor the Spirit
Offer Companioning
 SPEAK THE
LANGUAGE OF
VIRTUES
 Virtue of the Week
• For students to learn the virtues
• Virtue is picked & projected
• Students read and we discuss
• Students write the definition (in their own
words) in their notebook
• We discuss what the virtue looks like at
school
• They write how they show that virtue at
home
RECOGNIZE
TEACHABLE
MOMENTS
 TEACHABLE MOMENTS ARE…
• The opportunities to shine light on
virtues being practiced (acknowledge)
• The opportunities to bring attention to
virtues needed in a given situation (guide)

• The opportunities to call one another back

to our virtues when we fail to practice
(correct)
 ACT With Tact TM

Make a virtues “positivity sandwich”

wl e dg e
Ackno
Thank
Example of a Positivity Sandwich
“I appreciate your friendliness with your
classmates.” (Strength Virtue)

“Please use detachment and finish your

assignment without allowing yourself
to become distracted by others.”
(Growth Virtue)

“Thanks for your cooperation.”

 Positivity Sandwich
1. Tell the individual about qualities and behaviors in them
that you APPRECIATE, naming their Strength Virtues.
“I see your enthusiasm, wanting to get right to work.”
2. Tell the person what you feel would be helpful to
CHANGE or CORRECT, naming their Growth Virtues.
“ Please be orderly and hang up your back pack so your
classmates and property are safe.”
3. Save some of the best for last by THANKING them for
what you most appreciate. End on a positive note!
“Thank you for your cooperation keeping our classroom safe
and orderly.
We can learn to rename the traits or behaviors that are
challenging into virtues - the gifts of their character.
• Instead of stubborn: DETERMINED - (willing to persist in
the face of obstacles)
• Instead of demanding: EXCELLENCE- (holding high
standards)
• Instead of argumentative: STEADFAST - (strongly
committed to one’s principles)
• Instead of unpredictable: FLEXIBLE - (willing to change as
the day unfolds)
Think of those challenging students in your life with irritating
behaviors… how can you change those behaviors into virtues?
RENAMING & REFRAMING
 SET CLEAR
BOUNDARIES
Strategy 3:
Set Clear Boundaries
Clear Boundaries
are what we need to
create a safe and
peaceful learning
environment.
 Practice Responsibility!
• Be in your seat with the necessary items
books, paper, pen, etc.) when the bell
rings.
• Have your computer charged and ready
to go when class starts.
• Complete your homework on time and
turn in when due.
• Find out missed class work and
homework when returning from an
absence.
 PRACTICE RESPECT!
• Listen to others.
• Use good manners.
• Speak courteously.
• Take special care of school property.
• Follow directions the first time they’re
given.
• Raise your hand for permission to speak
or get out of your seat.
 PRACTICE DETACHMENT!
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
• Keep your mind on your own business.
• When dealing with strong feelings of
emotion, you control your emotions
without allowing your emotions to
control you.
And when the boundaries are
violated…
PRACTICE
RESTORATIVE
JUSTICE
(NOT RETRIBUTIVE JUSTICE!)
In Retributive Justice the Teacher
Is a Detective Asking …

•What was the crime?

•Who did it?
•How should they be punished?
 In Restorative Justice the Teacher Is a
Mentor Asking All Involved…
1. What happened? (Use how & what questions not
why. )
2. What were you thinking at the time and what virtue was
missing to create the conflict?
3. What have you thought about since and who was
affected by your actions and how?
4. What would you do differently next time using the
missing virtue?
5. How can you make an amends to make things right?
 Peace Zone
1. Take turns Truthfully telling your experience
of what happened.
2. Listen Respectfully to the other person's point
of view.
3. Share how you Honestly felt.
4. Creatively find a virtue you each need.
5. Use Justice and Forgiveness to decide what
amends need to be made.
6. Practice Commitment to decide how to do it
differently next time.
 HONOR
THE SPIRIT
Strategy 4:
Honor the Spirit
In your school…
• Plan all-school activities to build a
sense of community.
• Welcome families and the community
as partners
• Organize the physical environment to
set a tone of learning
Strategy 4:
Honor the Spirit
In your classroom…
• CU bulletin board with virtues
acknowledgements
– Provide prompts to guide students
– Use sticky notes
• Creating traditions: Virtues Interview
• End of year Student Virtues Cards
• Virtues Pick
 Virtues Pick-
Pick a Virtue Card
1. Choose a partner
2. First person reads their card aloud
3. Next they share how it resonates with them
4. Second person listens in complete and
respectful silence
5. At the end the listener acknowledges a virtue
they have recognized
6. Repeat for partner
Courage since you are very brave when it comes to scary
things and you aren’t afraid of anything 
Tolerance when you tolerate those you treat you badly
Loyalty because you can be a friend when needed
Independent because you don’t rely on anyone
Determination & Perseverance when you work on assign-
ments even when you don’t really feel like it
Curiosity because you are interested in many things
Acceptance since you accept yourself
Fortitude because you endure hard times with courage
You have all of these virtues and so many more!!
(Front of Business-Sized Card)
Thank you Charles for the virtues that you show…
Courtesy you show when others are rude to you & you treat
them with kindness
Forgiveness since you forgive others easily & quickly
Creativity because you always have an open mind on
everything , you make fake guns and stuff, you’re always
thinking of things that nobody else things of
Patience because you never purposely yell or hurt others; you
don’t yell when you’re waiting to be picked in P.E.
Honor because you honor other students
Wisdom because you know a lot about different things
Seeing Virtues in Others…
 OFFER
COMPANIONING
 The A.R.T. Of Boundaries
Assertiveness
Do what is right for you

Respect
Be deeply present without
advising
interrupting
rescuing
criticizing
teasing
Trust
Be worthy of trust. What we say here stays here.
Offer Companioning

Getting to the
Heart of the Matter
 Use this strategy when
someone else has a
problem or merely just to
listen deeply.
 Don’t Get Furious.

Get Curious!
Strategy 5:
The Companioning Process
Is Not Is
A Fix A Walk Along
A Rescue Respect
Curing Caring Presence
Advice Listening
Sympathy Caring Detachment
Telling Asking
Victim-based Virtues-based
 THE PROCESS
1. Offer receptive silence
2. Ask cup-emptying questions
3. Focus on perceptual cues
4. Ask Virtues reflection questions
5. Ask closure & integration
questions
6. Offer Virtues acknowledgments
 The Companioning Process

Open the Give a Virtues

Door Acknowledgment

Offer Ask Closure

Receptive & Integration
Silence Questions
Fo

ad
Ask Cup Ask Virtues
Reflection
llo

Emptying

Le
Questions Questions
w

Focus on
Sensory Cues

“What’s “What’s the “What are “What would “What was “I honor you
happening?” hardest those give you the helpful?” for your
thing?” tears?” courage...?” “What is loyalty to
clearer?” your friend.”
WHAT BRINGS
YOU JOY?
 Resources
• A Pace of Grace The Virtues of a Sustainable Life (2004), Linda Kavelin-
Popov.
• Graceful Endings Navigating the Journey of Loss and Grief (2013), Linda
Kavelin-Popov. Graceful Endings blog: http://gracefulendings.net/blog/
(Co-founder of The Virtues Project writes intimately on using the Virtues.)
• The Heart of Education Bringing Joy, Meaning and Purpose Back to
Teaching and Learning (2013), Dara Feldman. www.heartofeducation.net
• The Family Virtues Guide Simple Ways to Bring Out the Best in Our
Children and Ourselves (1997), Linda Kavelin- Popov, Dr. Dan Popov and
John Kavelin.
• The Virtues Project Educator’s Guide Simple Ways to Create a Culture of
Character (2000), Linda Kavelin-Popov, Dr. Dan Popov and John Kavelin.
www.virtuesproject.com
 Resources
• The Virtues Project Educator’s Cards: Free Download
https://itunes.apple.com/ye/app/virtues-educator-cards/id334332995?mt=8
• Virtues Reflection Cards: $.99 Download
https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/virtues-reflection-cards/id326312834?mt=8
• The Praise Paradox, Are We Smothering Kids with Kind Words? Po Bronson
and Ashley Merryman, NEA Today, March/April 2011,
http://www.nea.org/home/42298.htm
• The “V” Channel, The “V” Channel’s mission is to create awareness of virtues
and inspire the world’s youth to choose Goodness. www.thevchannel.com
• To download a multitude of virtues handouts and purchase books, cards, pdf
cards, posters, and assorted virtues products:
• www.virtuesproject.com or www.virtuesvillagellc.com
• ~If you would like the templates for SEEING VIRTUES IN OTHERS classroom
list, business cards, and Virtue Certificate please email me at
sharonmann.virtuesproject@gmail.com