The Energy Bus for Schools
December 2016
Happy Holidays Energy Bus Family!
As I reflect over the last few months of our journey, I am amazed at what we've been able to accomplish in such a short time. I feel so fortunate that you are on this journey with us. When I approached Mr. Gordon about this idea back in May, we had no idea how it was going to come together. All we knew is that we wanted to impact schools in a positive way. So with our purpose, our passion, and our mission in hand we ventured out to make it happen. We could not do what we do without each of you. You were all part of this dynamic plan and have been instrumental in making this dream a reality! You are The Journey, You create the positive energy that is shared with everyone, and You are the reason we do what we do. We would like to thank each of you-- our teachers, students, staff, and families for helping us develop positive leaders who will impact on world in a positive way.
The New Year promises to bring more joy, more success, and more excitement on our Journey!
Sending positive energy your way for a Merry Christmas and a JOYous New Year!
Niki
Principle 4: Fueling Your Ride with Positive Energy
Our principle for the month of December is Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy. Throughout the book, The Energy Bus, Joy talks about positive energy and how everything about us is made up of energy. She invites us to think about the people who increase our energy and those who drain us; foods we eat that make us feel great and those that make us want to take a nap and about the projects at work that energize us and those that burn us out. Everything is about energy (p.34). But what is positive energy?
Positive energy shines through when we are optimistic, empathetic to the needs of others, kind, and can find the gift in our flat tires (challenges).
In the introduction of The Energy Bus, Mr. Gordon talks about positive energy and the positive impact it can have in our personal and professional lives. He says that new research shows that positive people, positive communication, positive interactions, and positive work and team cultures produce positive results (xv).
Who wouldn’t want to have all these things? But I believe the most important question is how do we achieve this?
You must first start with self, you must be willing to look at yourself and accept that the life you currently have is a result of your actions or inactions. You must be willing to sit in the driver’s seat and realize that you and only you can choose where your bus is going. There will be situations in our lives that we have no power over, but we are almost always in charge of our response to these events. On page 46 of The Energy Bus, Joy introduces George to the following formula.
E+P=O
The E stands for events in your life, the P stands for Positive Response, and the O is the Outcome.
Think about that for a moment. If we can choose a positive response, this could result in a positive outcome. So we can choose to be angry or calm; happy or sad; or agreeable or disagreeable. By choosing your response and focusing on all the wonderful things happening in your life, you will in fact produce more positive energy which will bring you more happiness and success.
Below is an activity you can do to produce more positive energy in yourself and your students:
Materials Needed:
· Chart paper
· Markers,
· The Energy Bus for Kids book
· Pictures of people who are showing different emotions (happy, sad, angry, etc.)
Introduction: Engage students in a discussion about positive energy. Let them know that we all have energy and at times that energy can be positive or negative. Provide examples of times when you are showing positive energy and when you have shown negative energy and talk about the results/outcomes of your actions.
Whole Group Activity: Using chart paper, create a T-Chart. On one side write Positive Energy and on the other side write Negative Energy. Positive energy makes us feel good, use pictures or other examples of people who display positivity ( a smile, a kind gesture, etc.). Now show pictures of people who are displaying negative behavior (pouting, anger, etc.) Ask the following questions.
How does this make you feel?
Does it make you feel good or bad? Why?
How does other people’s behavior impact you?
Do you believe you can choose your response? Why or why not?
Let students know that it is okay if we are negative sometimes (it’s normal) it becomes a concern when we are negative for long periods of time. Revisit The Energy Bus for Kids book and show pictures of George on pages 4 and 5. Ask students to describe George – does he show positive energy or negative energy. Give students time to express their thoughts and ideas. Now turn to pages 36 and 37. Is George displaying positive energy or negative energy? Talk about the things that George is doing to show off his positive energy.
Let the students know that each of us has positive energy and we can show it off whenever we’d like!
Group or Individual Work: Come up with a class list or create a book of ways students can practice showing off their positive energy. Place it in a positive energy station and provide students with access so that they can always fuel up with positive energy!
This will be a great way for you and your students to fill everyone’s ride with positive energy as we get ready for the holidays!
This is Niki Spears, your CEO, make it an amazing end of year or not. The choice is ALWAYS yours!