Middle Years
Over the last couple of weeks, I have spoken to the Year 8s and Year 7 boys about Choice Theory and how they can apply this to their relationships here at school.
All behaviour is made up of four components: acting, thinking, feeling and physiology. Students are responsible for their own behaviour, but they only have direct control over the acting and thinking components. How they feel and their physiology can only be controlled indirectly through how they choose to act and think.
Choice theory outlines that in order to maintain healthy and positive relationships with other students, it encourages seven caring habits while minimising seven deadly habits. These habits include:
Seven Caring Habits | Seven Deadly Habits | ||
1. | Supporting | 1. | Criticizing |
2. | Encouraging | 2. | Blaming |
3. | Listening | 3. | Complaining |
4. | Accepting | 4. | Nagging |
5. | Trusting | 5. | Threatening |
6. | Respecting | 6. | Punishing |
7. | Negotiating differences | 7. | Bribing, rewarding to control |
We have been encouraging the Year 8s to approach the final weeks of the year with a calm and organised approach, while the Year 7 boys have been encouraged to look after each other with a calm and caring approach. All students are responsible for their own behaviour, they just need to make good choices!
Ben Hawthorne
Head of Middle Years