PEACEFUL WARRIORS GOOD MANNERS - Section #4 – Instructor’s Instructions

When someone demonstrates good manners, everybody wins.

The purpose of this manners block is to teach the ABC’s of proper protocol, politeness, courtesy and respect. Being polite is not only the right thing to do, but it is an important ingredient to success and happiness. With good manners, great first impressions are made, doors are opened, and favors are given. As the old phrase says, "You can catch more flies with honey…”

We all know the value of good manners. Rarely, however, are manners taught in a specific format. Even the most well-intentioned parent generally teaches manners as a second thought.

For the next four weeks, always start the lessons with these three questions:

What does it mean to have good manners?
Why is it important for you to show good manners?
What is a good example of good manners?

Then follow the appropriate week’s Character Training lesson.

Students, especially young students, learn more, faster and retain answers longer by listening to a short story or lesson, then answering a few well-placed questions, followed by role-playing (all taking five minutes or less). When ever you ask a question be sure to give the students time to answer.

Therefore, it is really important that you solicit answers and get feedback from your students. You might have to ask the question again in order to draw out the answer you want. Remember the important part it isn’t so much the lecture, as it is getting your students to reason through the problem presented until they draw the conclusion you want.

When a student gives you an incorrect or wrong answer, keep your response positive. You might say “good try” or “almost” or “you’re getting close”. If we make our students feel self-conscious or “dumb” they will stop participating and this teaching method becomes ineffective.

For the next four weeks, several times during each class, incorporate a success chant. At first you’ll have to say the whole chant. As the students learn it, you say the first half and have them repeat the last half. You can do the chant during stretching, or use it as a pattern interrupt (snap them to attention stance and then say the success chant.) The goal is to imprint the success chant in such a way that they can draw upon it for strength and direction outside of Martial Arts classes. The success chant for the next four weeks is:

Winners Have Good Manners