Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? 

I would like to think I have! (I did help a friend move her office all morning...that counts right?!?) Have you read my favorite book to use for character education? Have You Filled a Bucket Today by Carol McCloud is a wonderful story that is perfect for any age classroom! You can add it to your beginning of the year (or anytime of the year) character education lessons! It promotes positive behavior to express kindness, appreciation and love on a daily basis!

Even though character education is NOT a standard, it is something we are constantly teaching. People today need those character lessons to help improve themselves as individuals and learn the importance of kindness, appreciation and LOVE! It is so important to be a positive role model in our students lives so they have a daily reminder of what a bucket filler looks like. No bucket dippers welcome here!

This year my new school is a PBIS school (any advice, suggestions are welcome!) and I am not as familiar and I would like to be with the PBIS system! I am all about some positive behavior plans! Hello, rewarding the correct behavior! Yes, please! Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think a student should be rewarded all the time for meeting high expectations but I do think a student should be rewarded when they go above and beyond!

To incorporate positive behavior and "Bucket Filling," I can't wait to read the book to my new batch of nuggets! Each year, we begin by discussing how we treat each other. To help with alphabet review we create a list of a something positive for each letter of the alphabet. (A=applaud others B=be kind to everyone C=cheer for others, etc). This helps the students think of creative ways to go out of their way to do random acts of kindness, show appreciation, and love each other! Now it's time to read the story.
After the story, we complete a Venn Diagram (together) to compare and contrast Bucket Filler's and Bucket Dippers. The comparisons help students to really analyze the differnece between the two and understand how to be a "Bucket Filler." Lesson over. Forget about Bucket Filling for the rest of the year. WRONGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!! We continue this lesson for the rest of the year! Wahooo!

At the front of the classroom we have a bucket (well a circle box but you get the point!) where students can write down the name of someone that has been a "Bucket Filler." Then, if I need a special errand or to choose a student for something special, I go straight to the classroom bucket to choose a special student. (BAZINGA! Positive behavior=reward!) Mission Complete!

Since I'm feeling SO appreciative for your sweet comments in this blog's short life and I LOVE gaining new followers and reading your BLOGS, I'm going to give you my bucket filler card that the nuggets fill out! Click on the picture below the grab these cute little coupons!

I would LOVE to know how you incorporate bucket filling or positive behavior in your classroom? Comment and let me know!