Beresford is a school focused on HET (Highly Effective Teaching), formerly known as Integrated Thematic Teaching. A major component of this philosophy is teaching the Life Skills. Click here to learn more about the HET philosophy: http://www.thecenter4learning.com/ Life Skills provide the basis for three important functions of a body-brain-compatible learning environment:

1. They are the agreed-upon behaviors for all and thus replace the rules of traditional “discipline” programs
2. They provide a safe environment for creating and maintaining a sense of community
3. They describe the behaviors of civil discourse which are the foundation for citizenship

Speak with your child’s teacher about how to integrate the Life Skills each day. Get suggestions about real world situations and how you use the Life Skills to be a better citizen.

The 19 Life Skills 

• Caring ~ To grow concern for others
• Common Sense ~ To use good judgment
• Cooperation ~ To work together toward a common good or purpose
• Courage ~ To act according to one’s beliefs despite fear of adverse consequences
• Creativity ~ To show one’s unique perspective on the world
• Curiosity ~ A desire to investigate and seek understanding of one’s world
• Effort ~ To do your best
• Flexibility ~ To be willing to alter plans when necessary
• Friendship ~ To be make and keep a friend through mutual trust and caring
• Initiative ~ To do something of one’s own free will, because it needs to be done
• Organization ~ To plan, arrange, and implement in an orderly way; to keep things orderly and ready to use
• Patience ~ To wait calmly for someone or something
• Perseverance ~ To keep at it
• Pride ~ Satisfaction from doing one’s personal best
• Problem Solving ~ To create solutions to difficult situations and everyday problems
• Resourcefulness ~ To respond to challenges & opportunities in innovative, creative ways
• Responsibility ~ To respond when appropriate; to be accountable for one’s actions
• Sense of Humor ~ To laugh and be playful without harming others