Re: TARGET: Manners

[Pat Bartoshesky <Applebart@AOL.COM>]

        Clete asked if teaching manners isn't the job of parents and "charm schools"
(haven't heard that term in a while).  I would like to take a somewhat
different stand, that parents start the job, but schools can go a long way to
reinforce what parents have taught; fill in for the minority of parents who
don't do it; and give kids settings in which to practice their manners. This
doesn't have to be (I think shouldn't be) an additional course of study, just
an integral part of the way that we teach everything else.
        We use "please" when we ask students to do things. We remind kids to say
"thank you" when papers are distributed, in the cafeteria line, etc.  We
enforce polite behavior in the halls between classes.  We, above all, model
good behavior for the students in our way of treating them and each other.  I
frequently remind students that the research process and Big 6 are more
important than the particular facts or homework assignment grade.  Similarly,
I frequently remind them that learning to continue to act as a kind, polite
person is more important than anything else that they learn in life.
        As for providing a guide for manners education, in our capacity as
librarians, why not?  We wouldn't balk if asked for help in finding materials
for science or language, why balk at helping with the hidden curriculum?
        Enough! Thank you for your ears.






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