Habits of Goodness uses case studies from six experienced teachers, grades K-6, as the basis for commentary from Charney about their efforts to create classrooms in which students are taught social skills and ethical behavior along with strong academic skills. Offers an approach to solving problems that can be used in any classroom and includes an appendix outlining the process of case study.

I began my school year armed with practical strategies for creating a caring environment in my classroom...I got my ideas from the experts-classroom teachers across the country-whose trials, triumphs, and tips are showcased in Habits of Goodness.
- Grace Small, Instructor magazine

Table of Contents
Introduction: Habits of Goodness
Part I - The Case Study Process and the Social Curriculum
Dignifying the Struggle: Teachers as Problem Solvers
Social Curriculum: Shared Assumptions
Part II - The Case Studies
Ritual and Real: Developing Language in a Kindergarten Classroom by Eileen Mariani
Getting Underneath: Caring and Sharing Among Fives and Sixes by Arona McNeill-Vann
Letting the Spill Grow: Conflict Resolution in a First Grade by Linda Mathews
Outer Structures/Inner Supports: Teaching Respect to Fourth and Fifth Graders by Cathy Jacques
How Are You Going to Unbore Yourself? Active Learning in the Fifth Grade by Colette Kaplan
Moving the Teacher's Desk: Democracy in a Fifth/Sixth Grade by Dorothy McCaffrey
Part III - Common Insights and Problems
Common Insights
Common Problems
Reflective Practice: A Conclusion of Sorts
Appendix: Case Study Outline
Notes
References

Teacher's Perspective
This book is a collection of case studies and strategies that real teachers have implemented in their classrooms. There is at least one in-depth example for every grade, K-6. If you are considering writing a case study or creating an action research plan for your classroom, this is an excellent source for you. Ruth has a commentary at the end of each case study to clarify the process and make it practical for you to use in your classroom. The most useful part of this book is the real life examples of things that come up in classrooms, and hands-on ideas to make them better. Each one of the strategies and processes these teachers use is easy to implement. Some of the case study topics include: conflict resolution, active learning, democracy, and sharing in a classroom. If you want your students to develop good social habits beyond just the Morning Meeting, then this is the book for you.
      –Carolyn Rottman

Northeast Foundation for Children, 1998, paper, 166 pages, paper
ISBN: 096186365X