Let's build a better world!
During my two recent author-illustrator school visits in Colorado I saw some great ideas to add to earlier RoundUPs on Kindness, building respect and developing emotional intelligence!
BUDDY BENCH
At our CO-Wonder's school, which just happens to be RIGHT in their own back yard,
there is a new installation on the edge of the playground.
A BUDDY BENCH.
The brand new principal had it added.
The new practice, is that if you are
'alone, lonesome or without buddies'
you take a seat on the buddy bench.
This signals to the kids playing that there is someone seeking friends.
Our own little first grader reported how effective it is.
He told us he saw someone sitting there and went right over.
They then played 'chase' for the rest of recess and he has a new friend!
Can it be that simple?
When I posted the photo on Intagram with the hashtag
#BuddyBench
there were a TON of clever-clever benches.
Go to IG if you need some tons of inspiration.
This is the welcome bulletin board inside the building!
I LUV to see a 'bucket filler' idea that sparkles!
HOW COOL IS this Identity Tapestry Array?
Here are some earlier articles from my blog.
LUV LUV LUV this one with the Kindness Quilt!
Go back to see close-ups of the PreK thoughts.
KINDNESS. FILLING BUCKETS:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE.
It's time for a RoundUP of oodles of ways to reinforce the positive.
In my travels around the country as an Author/Illustrator making school visits,
I have the great-good fortune of observing a variety of 'systems' that teachers are using in their classroom to focus on the positive.
LUV LUV LUV LUV LUV!
I hope that you're as inspired as I am.
On our snowbird drive south to our Florida palm trees last week,
I had a delightful visit at the Seven Hills School in Cincinnati.
It is clear that they start their focus of these concepts of caring and sharing with their very youngest students. These 'fine motor' exercises were on display in one of their preschool classrooms.
When in doubt? Keep it simple. BE KIND!
One entire wall of the classroom was outlined with the prompt: "Be Kind" as painted by each student. These repeated paintings reminded me of when I used to stencil the ceiling border in our living room.
These next fine motor 'drawing-writings' are from northern OH and are the brilliance of a kindergarten class book on the subject of kindness.
Special thanks to 'Ms. Eddie' for sharing from her treasures.
The writing prompt is simple:
"What I can do to be kind."
 |
| What I can Do to Be Kind: "I can draw a picture for a friend." |
 |
| What I can Do to Be Kind: "I can clean my mom's room. I made my Mom's bed. I can put clothes in her drawers." |
 |
| What I Can Do to Be Kind: "I can set the table for my family." |
While we were still way up north in Wisconsin I had the opportunity to share my books and songs at Southern Door Elementary. School had just barely begun at the time, but Ms. Meacham had her shining buckets already organized on her shelf and ready for implementation once the routines were established.
Last spring during teacher appreciation week I was up in Michigan with the Taylor School System, making the rounds between their elementary buildings.
I tell you their doors were ALL decked out!
This is the door leading to one of their teacher lounge: wow!
BEAUTIFUL!
 |
| Teacher Appreciation Week on Teacher's Lounge Door |
Here's a bulletin board created at Main Street Elementary in Clyde, OH on this topic of bucket filling. Of course I LUV anything that incorporates a rainbow! And a three dimensional rainbow is even sweeter!! My two day residency in Clyde was in honor of the lifetime contribution and celebration of the retirement of their beloved principal, Mrs. Peggy... the role model on kindness for everyone!
 |
| Bucket Filler Bulletin Board in Elementary School |
LUV LUV LUV these next personalized buckets on construction paper. They were on display on the classroom door and walls of the kindergarten room, downtown in Tampa. I was with them right before Thanksgiving last year and they had numerous examples of 'kindness' systems at work in their building.
 |
| Have You Filled a Bucket Today? Kindergarten Students Decorate |
This wreath idea is from one of the visits I made last year, here in Florida. This was an idea on prominent display at Crosswoods Preschool and used in each of the preschool classrooms.
An ARK wreath: Act of Random Kindness.
I learned from the director of the program that the families are instructed to send in bits and bobs of old remnants of ribbon. These are all gathered up and then as kindness is observed the child caught in the act of kindness gets to select their ribbon of choice to be tied onto the wreath frame. As the year goes on, the wreath gets filled with color -- prompting additional acts of compassion and caring.
Coming up is another image from my Tampa kindergarten visit.
This is a bulletin board of kindness behind the teacher's desk.
In this room each child has a labeled bucket that's on a 'library pocket card.'
Mrs. McClain leaves a little note in the student's bucket with her observations of kindness.
It's all about having a system. This one's a winner!
Wait till you see this next anchor chart!!
Is this simply brilliant?
Recording direct quotes of your student's observations of kindness by their peers in the classroom.
 |
| Filling a Bucket in Kindergarten: We Make Good Choices |
Speaking of bulletin boards...... take a look at this beauty.
Click back to this earlier post to see the up-close details.
What can you do to help the youngest in their learning to share with others? I saw this timer system with its visual supports at Sutter Park Elementary in Worthington. This was a classroom for children with special needs, but I think it would work equally as well in a typical setting as well.
 |
| Timer to Encourage Sharing Among Children |
This next kitchen counter idea is a photo I took at our very own extended Clement household out in Denver. We're headed there in just a couple of weeks. These are the two oldest boys and their opportunity to earn pompoms for special fun.
How glorious is this bucket system out in the Denver-area. Here's a teacher with an eye for detail and design. I just LUV LUV LUV how cheerful these look on the wall.
Here's another idea 'from-the-future.' I saw this one in conjunction with Valentine's Day. It's a homework assignment. The parents receive 'empty' construction paper hearts and are asked to fill up 'kindness' observations and return the completed heart to the school. They are been massed on the wall as they arrive back to the teacher. Brilliant!!!
*****And I just had the thought to ask my blogging friends for their suggestions on this theme. Here's the link to Herding Kats in Kindergarten. Be sure you hop over as she has a printable freebie that you'll want to download for your use on this topic.
 |
| Classroom Bucket for Filling via Herding Kats in Kindergarten |
***Just this week, Nancy over at Joy of Kindergarten used the bucket filling metaphor with her class. I think her using the stickie-notes to record the ideas is extra fun!
***Take a look over at "Kindergarten Faith" to see which book on Dust Bunnies is a favorite of new blogger, Faith as she teaches her class on this topic. She has some insight on making your own craftivity dust bunny.
***Keep on your blog hopping and make a visit to Primary Graffiti to see this post on multi-cultural friendships.
One way of expressing your appreciation is to pin any (and all) of the images that you have found helpful. Of course it's awesome if you're a Google+ wizard to give that type shout out, too! I'm just learning the ropes at + but I'm aware that it helps with SEO.... so I'm attempting to learn my way around there, too. I really appreciate your support!
-- Debbie --
