| FORTY SUCCESSES |
By William Watson Purkey and John M. Novak
Inviting School Success, Wadworth, 1984
| The following lists of inviting and disinviting verbal comments, personal behavior, physical environments, and printed signs have been identified by educators and students as indicators of the quality of life in schools. These lists are only illustrative, but the presence or absence of items on these lists may help to identify the inviting or disinviting stance taken by those who live and work in and around schools. These items may also serve as a checklist for those in schools who are already doing good things, and who want to do them even better. |
| Verbal Comments |
| Forty Inviting Comments | Forty Disinviting Comments |
|
Good morning. Thanks very much. Congratulations. Let's talk it over. How can I help? Tell me about it. I appreciate your help. Happy birthday! I enjoy having you here I understand. We missed you. I'm glad you came by. I like that idea! I think you can. Welcome. I like what you did. Welcome back. You are unique. That's even better. I've been thinking of you. How are things going? How are you? I'd like your opinion. Happy holiday! What do you think? Let's have lunch. What can I do for you? Of course I have the time. That's OK. I am impressed. You made me feel good. Yes. Please come in. I've always got time for you. I think you can do it. Please tell me more. May I help you? Let's do it together. Come back soon! I enjoy our time together. |
Keep out. What Mary is trying to say is... Use your head. It won't work. You'll have to call back. You can't do that. I don't care what you do. Not bad, for a girl. Don't be so stupid. Who do you think you are? He can't be disturbed. Why didn't you stay home? Woman driver! They don't want to learn. They don't have the ability. You can't be that dumb. They're all right, in their place. Who's calling. You should not feel that way. You ought to know better. You must do as I say. How could you? Shape up or ship out. Anybody can do that. Why do you bother coming to school? That's a childish viewpoint. That is dead wrong. Hi, Chubby. You goofed. Get lost. That's stupid. So what? Because I said so, that's why. What, you again? Forget it. You'll never make it. Sit down and shut up. Knock it off. I know you're not that stupid. What's your excuse this time? |
| Personal Behaviors |
| Forty Inviting Behaviors | Forty Disinviting Behaviors |
|
A relaxed posture Lending a book Smiling Listening carefully Patting a back Shaking hands Opening a door for someone Giving a friendly wink Sharing lunch together Being on time Sending a thoughtful note Bringing a gift Sharing an experience Accepting praise Giving wait-time Gazing warmly Yielding interest Noticing new clothes Learning names Offering refreshments Sending a valentine Hugging (where appropriate) Extending an apology (where required) Sharing a poem Picking up litter Planting a flower Waiting your turn Holding a door Extending a hand Congratulating someone Remembering important occasions Sharing a sandwich Using a napkin Offering someone a chair Bringing flowers Scratching someone's back Expressing regret Waving with both hands Giving a thumbs-up sign Overlooking a faux pas |
Giving a thumbs-down sign Interrupting Looking at your watch Yawning in someone's face Shaking your finger at someone Scowling and frowning Slamming a door Using ridicule Turning you back on someone Cutting people short Making fun of a person Looking away from someone Leaving someone to answer the phone Hitting someone Being obscene Laughing at someone's misfortune Throwing paper on the ground Tapping a pencil (fidgeting) Chewing gum loudly Breaking a promise Forgetting an important date Gawking at an accident Using sarcasm Mimicking Forgetting a birthday Blowing your car horn Talking with your mouth full Playing with your nose Eating loudly Showing lack of concern Sneering Being late Staring at someone Littering Shoving ahead Stamping your foot Telling a lie Dumping ashtrays in the street Insulting a person Talking during a movie |
| Physical Environments |
| Forty Inviting Environments | Forty Disinviting Environments |
|
Fresh Paint Pleasant smells Living plant Attractive, up-to-date bulletin boards Soft lighting Big and soft pillows Lots of books Fresh air Fireplace Comfortable furniture Rocking chair Flowers on the desk Open doors Candy jar with candy Soft music Attractive pictures Comfortable temperature A cup of coffee, tea or juice Porch light at night Porch swing Birthday cake Fresh towels Well-tended park Books and magazines Stuffed animals Sunny room Game board Thick carpet This morning's paper Holiday tree Matching colors Birthday card Positive worded signs Blue jeans and cotton shirts Bright hallways Clean aromas Brightly lit parking lot Clean windows Clear floors Old pick-up truck |
Dark corridors Bad smells Dingy colors Full trash cans Hard lighting Insects (flies, roaches) Excessive noise Smoke-filled room Bare walls Leftover food Dirty coffee cups Full ashtrays Bare lightbulb Stack of out-of-date materials Fluorescent lights that buzz Dark parking lots A full pencil sharpener Dead plant Long lines Dingy curtains Burned-out lightbulb Sidewalks going where people don't Opaque windows Cold room Lukewarm coffee Artificial plants and flowers Cigarette butts on a plate Sink full of dirty dishes Exhaust fumes Straight rows Empty mail box Dirty fingerprints Peeling paint and plaster Nothing to read Dusty, cobwebby shelves Stuffy room Sticky floors Broken windows Signs with letters missing Spray-painted graffiti |
| Printed Signs |
| Forty Inviting Signs | Forty Disinviting Signs |
|
Please Use Sidewalks Welcome Visitor Parking Please Leave Message Open, Come in No Appointment Necessary Please Use Other Door Thank You for Not Smoking Come Back Soon Open House We're Glad You're Here Handicapped Parking Sorry I Missed You, Please Come Back Visitors Welcome Happy Hour Please Put Litter Here Come As You Are Open to the Public Rest Area Take Me Clean Restrooms Help Keep Hawaii Beautiful Library Have Lunch with Us Students Welcome Back Please Excuse the Inconvience Good Day Happy Holidays No Waiting You're Here Please Touch Come on In Pardon Our Dust Ample Parking in the Rear May We Help You? Be Back at ___ Please Watch Your Step Help Us Conserve Energy Directory Assistance Welcome to Hawaii (or HCC) |
Office Closed Do Not Disturb Keep off Grass To Trespassing No Talking No Running in Halls No Admission without Pass Visitors Must Report to No Smoking No Admittance Be Seated Keep Out Do Not Enter No Deposit, No Return Tow Away Zone By Appointment Only Out of Order No Children Allowed Closed to the Public Private Beach No Checks Cashed No Spitting on Sidewalk Members Only We Do Not Give Change Take a Number and Wait Shop Lifters Will Be Prosecuted: Means You! Keep This Door Shut! Not for Public Use Out to Lunch You Broke It, You Bought It Books Are for Sale Only Government Property - No Admittance Do Not Remove under Penalty of Law Restrooms for Customers Only Parking for Officials Only No Shirt, No Service No Facilities For Faculty Use Only Beware of the Dog |