Overview

While everyone wants students to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged, it’s tough to work toward that vision when there are so many other priorities and constraints. That’s why we’ve developed this special tool to help you lead and implement a school- or districtwide initiative for the Whole Child. Using the tools and guidelines in this action tool, you can:

• Convince teacher, parent, and other audiences of the rationale for a Whole Child initiative
  
• Focus your school and community on developing and maintaining an intellectually engaging and challenging learning environment
  
• Focus your school and community on preparing 21st century students
  
• Put forward a plan to address students’ health and safety issues
  
• Guide your school toward a more personalized and supportive learning environment

Survey tools and questionnaires are included to help assess your school’s current strengths and weaknesses. Downloadable professional learning activities with a Powerpoint presentation make it much easier for you to conduct a professional development workshop on educating the Whole Child. Plus, a school improvement planning process gives you steps and strategies for leading a successful Whole Child initiative.

(ASCD Action Tool, 2008) 300 pages.

Related resources:

• Creating a Healthy School Using the Healthy School Report Card: An ASCD Action Tool
  
• The Learning Compact Redefined: A Call for Action (set of 50)
  
• Education and Public Health: Natural Partners in Learning for Life
  
• Whole Child Web site