The Mission of The Virtues ProjectTM is to provide empowering strategies that inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life through programs of excellence and simplicity which support people of all ages to cultivate their virtues -- the gifts of character.

1. The Virtues Project
Making Meaningful Connections
Presented by Dara Feldman
Director of Education Initiatives for The Virtues Project
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2. The Virtues Project
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3. The Five Strategies of
The Virtues Project
1 Speak the Language of Virtues
2 Recognize Teachable Moments
3 Set Clear Boundaries
4 Honor the Spirit
5 Offer Companioning
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4. The Virtues Project
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5. The Five Strategies of
The Virtues Project
1 Speak the Language of Virtues
2 Recognize Teachable Moments
3 Set Clear Boundaries
4 Honor the Spirit
5 Offer Companioning
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6. The History of
The Virtues Project
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7. The History of
The Virtues Project
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8. In over 95 countries…
Honored by The UN & The Dalai Lama
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9. Benefits to Schools
•Attendance increases
•Student achievement increases
•Discipline referrals decrease
•Bullies transformed into leaders
•PLCs and home school connections strengthened
•Climate is more peaceful and joyful
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10. Download Handouts
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11. Virtues: The Gifts of Character
The Virtues Project
Assertiveness Forgiveness Patience
Caring Friendliness Peacefulness
Cleanliness Generosity Perseverance
Commitment Gentleness Purposefulness
Compassion Helpfulness Reliability
Confidence Honesty Respect
Consideration Honor Responsibility
Cooperation Humility Self-discipline
Courage Idealism Service
Courtesy Integrity Tact
Creativity Joyfulness Thankfulness
Detachment Justice Tolerance
Determination Kindness Trust
Diligence Love Trustworthiness
Enthusiasm Loyalty Truthfulness
Excellence Moderation Understanding
Flexibility Modesty Unity
Orderliness
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12. Virtues vs. Values
Virtues: universal, positive
qualities of character
Values: things people deem
important or of value
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13. Virtues: The Gifts of Character
Strength & Growth Virtues
Assertiveness Forgiveness Patience
Caring Friendliness Peacefulness
Cleanliness Generosity Perseverance
Commitment Gentleness Purposefulness
Compassion Helpfulness Reliability
Confidence Honesty Respect
Consideration Honor Responsibility
Cooperation Humility Self-discipline
Courage Idealism Service
Courtesy Integrity Tact
Creativity Joyfulness Thankfulness
Detachment Justice Tolerance
Determination Kindness Trust
Diligence Love Trustworthiness
Enthusiasm Loyalty Truthfulness
Excellence Moderation Understanding
Flexibility Modesty Unity
Orderliness
www.heartofeducation.net

14. The Five Strategies of
The Virtues Project
1 Speak the Language of Virtues
2 Recognize Teachable Moments
3 Set Clear Boundaries
4 Honor the Spirit
5 Offer Companioning
www.heartofeducation.net

15. Strategy 1: Speak the Language
The Virtues Project
Do you believe language has the
power to inspire or discourage?
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16. Ways to Speak the Language of the Virtues
1. TO ACKNOWLEDGE
2. TO GUIDE
3. TO CORRECT
4. TO THANK
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17. Strategy 1: Speak the Language
3 Elements of the Virtues Language
stem I see your
virtue diligence
in the way you worked through
evidence that difficult math problem
without giving up.
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18. Ways to Speak the Language of the Virtues
1. TO ACKNOWLEDGE
2. TO GUIDE
3. TO CORRECT
4. TO THANK
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19. Strategy 1: Speak the Language
Virtues Pick
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20. Strategy 2: Recognize Teachable Moments
The Virtues Project
“In all situations, it is my response
that decides whether a crisis will be
escalated or de-escalated and
a child humanized or de-humanized”
~Haim Ginott
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21. Strategy 2: Recognize Teachable Moments
The Virtues Project
Instead of shaming and saying
Stop your talking and get back to work!
We can say
“Please be purposeful and finish your
assignment.”
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22. Renaming and Reframing
Acknowledge effort shown
Remind or call student to the virtue
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23. Strategy 3: Set Clear Boundaries
The Virtues Project
Retributive Justice
Teacher is a detective asking …
• What was the crime?
• Who did it?
• How should they be punished?
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24. Strategy 3: Set Clear Boundaries
The Virtues Project
Restorative Justice
Teacher is a mentor asking …
• What happened?
• What virtue was missing?
• What would it look like if…
• How can amends be made?
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25. Strategy 3: Set Clear Boundaries
Class Promise
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26. Strategy 3: Set Clear Boundaries
Using Virtues for PBIS Tenants
Positive Behavior
Intervention System
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27. Strategy 4: Honor the Spirit
The Virtues Project
“More important than being
successful is being significant.
Significance means making a
contribution to others.”
~Steven Covey, Author of
Highly Effective People
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28. Strategy 4: Honor the Spirit
ASCD Whole Child Compact
“There can be no
keener revelation of
a society’s soul than
the way in which it
treats its children.”
~Nelson Mandela
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29. Strategy 4: Honor the Spirit
The Virtues Project
• Virtues Sharing
Circles
• Celebrations
• Traditions
• Reflective Time
• Moments with Nature
• Service Learning
• Virtues in the Arts
• Virtues Pick
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30. Strategy 5: Offer Companioning
The Virtues Project
1. Open the door
2. Offer receptive
silence
Don’t get
furious. 3. Ask cup emptying
questions
4. Focus on sensory
cues
5. Ask virtues
reflection questions
Get 6. Ask closure and
curious! integration
questions
7. Give a virtues
acknowledgment
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31. Strategy 5: Offer Companioning
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
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32. The Virtues Project
Materials & Professional Development
To order materials go to
www.heartofeducation.net/materials
For professional development go to
www.heartofeducation.net/pd
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33. The Virtues Project
“Idealists dare…
…to have big dreams and
then act as if they are possible...
Idealism does not mean that you are an idle dreamer.
Idle dreamers just WISH that things were better.
Idealists do something to MAKE things better.”
– The Family Virtues Guide
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34. The Virtues Project
Gratitude Goes To…
National Education Association
Staff and Students at Kenwood High School,
Baltimore County Public Schools
May Street Group, News Video Clip
ASCD, The Whole Child Compact
Dr. Dan Popov, Linda Kavelin Popov & John
Kavelin, Founders of The Virtues Project
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