Leading program in Britain is now available in the United States
Bully Safe Schools is pleased to announce it will begin training the R Time program to schools, pre-K through fifth grade, across the United States and Canada this fall. The updated 2008 North American edition of the R Time manual is now available through Bully Safe Schools. Certified R Time trainers will be available to work with your school or district starting in November, 2008.
Call now to discuss training for your school.
R Time Overview
What is R Time
Over the past six years, R Time has rocketed from a relatively unknown program, developed by English head teacher (the equivalent of an elementary school principal in the U.S.) and child behavior specialist Greg Sampson, to a program that is being used throughout the United Kingdom. It is being credited with dramatically improving school climates in some of the most challenging schools in England. Not only that, with teachers spending less time with behavior problems, R Time improves teacher morale by making schools more pleasant places to work.
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How does it work
R Time improves school climate and reduces bullying by teaching respect for others and a return to good old-fashioned manners. There are approximately 30 activities for each grade level from pre-K through fifth grade. One of the best aspects about R Time is that it produces such positive results in a short period of time—about 15 minutes per week for an R Time lesson.
Each session has 5 component parts:
- Random Pairing—Students work each time with a different partner until they have worked with all of the children in their class.
- Introduction—Once in their pairs, students greet each other with a positive statement (for example,
"Hello my name is Sarah. I’m glad that you’re my partner today, Michael.")
- Activity—Easily achievable short activities for each grade level for the children to do with their partner.
- Processing—Children feed back their experiences to the whole class, and the teacher helps them reflect on their learning.
- Conclusion—At the end of the session the children thank their partner and say something positive to finish.
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Here’s how R Time can help your school
Better relationships
R Time provides opportunities for children to make more friends and
significantly improves feelings of social inclusion among children. (view
R Time Project Summary)
"I know that our whole school ethos has been changed because of our whole school approach through using your R Time activities. From our newly qualified, to our established staff all support and say how valuable the R Time sessions are in building positive relations with their class. It is the best 15/20 minutes ever spent!"—Assistant Head Teacher (Assistant Principal)
"The children are more aware of each others’ feelings and consider them in their behaviour. Everyone is happier. One child has made friends which has absolutely transformed his attitude and behaviour."—Teacher
"It has had a major impact on the whole school. I have never known the whole school so peaceful."—Teacher
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Teaching becomes more enjoyable
Staff and children alike find the program helpful, practical and fun.
"It has not only transformed some of my children but has also had a significant impact on me."—Teacher
"R time has helped me to become the teacher I aspired to."—Teacher
In an English survey, 81% of teachers and administrators said teaching has become more enjoyable for them since R Time, because they’re not spending so much time on discipline problems.
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Better manners
Whatever happened to good manners? Most adults agree that we have seen a gradual degradation in respectful behavior over the past several decades—from children and adults alike! There are likely many reasons for this decline in civility. The good news is that now there is a program to help stem the tide of rudeness and disrespect toward others.
"In my school we do R time in every class and that has made my school a much better place, children always say please and thank you now."—Student “
"R time is great it has helped my class to realize that being polite is right."—Student
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Less bullying
It’s no surprise that when students start behaving with better manners in school, that bullying is reduced. A
2005 study found R Time has a positive impact on promoting a school ethos against bullying.
One student says, "R time helps to stop bullying
even when teacher is not there."
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Students enjoy school more
Research shows students in R Time schools enjoy classes more and feel better working as part of a team.
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Children love it
“There is nothing I don’t like about R time. I didn’t like working with people I didn’t usually hang around with. Now I love it and we are friends.”—Student
“Because of R time I have realized that a lot of people really like me. That makes me feel good inside.”—Student
“R time has helped me to stop judging other children from what they look like. Just like when you judge a book by its cover.”—Student
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R Time can easily be incorporated into academic subjects
Easy to use activities are provided with the program for each grade level, keeping preparation time at a minimum. However, it is also very easy to incorporate the R Time process into any academic subject. The random pairing process facilitates group learning as well.
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R Time is an ideal program to enhance a school’s bullying prevention program
The program is compatible with the principles of evidence-based bullying prevention programs, including the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and can greatly enhance the effectiveness of existing bullying prevention programs.
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It is consistent with the principles of Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support
In recent years, many districts across the U.S. have come to see the benefits of school-wide PBS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support). With its focus on teaching positive social behaviors, R Time is completely consistent with the purpose of PBS to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.
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Positive reports from parents
"I’ve never had so many parents coming to see me to say that the change in their children at home has been remarkable," said a primary school teacher.
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What does the research say about R Time?
Read the R Time Project
Summary to learn more.
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Training for Your School
Professionally certified, R Time trainers will help your school make a successful launch of the R Time program. Contact Bully Safe Schools for details regarding training options and costs. Toll-free: 1-877-869-5437 or 260-436-6380, or email: info@bullysafeschools.com
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