#ThankfulThursday
How Full is Your Bucket?
Be a Bucket Filler!
The children's book, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" by Carol McCloud tells the story of how we each carry around an invisible bucket, and the choices we make help us fill others' buckets...or empty our own. The book encourages children to see how rewarding it can be to express daily kindness, appreciation, and love for the people around us - and it also shows the impact of our actions and words on the emotional well being of others.
Sometimes we have no idea what impact our words have on someone. We could be frustrated, tired, sick, or dealing with a personal issue - and the moment we say something to someone that's negative, we can't take it back. We become a bucket dipper. This can happen intentionally or unintentionally. While we can't change what we have said or done to someone - we CAN change what we do afterwards. We can put a "drop in their bucket" and apologize or give a compliment, offer help or offer support.
When our students come to school, we have no idea what kind of home environment they came from or what happened that morning. They could be hungry, tired, nervous, anxious, or scared. They could act out in class to "look cool" because it's the only place they feel like they have control. Or they could be a kid that has great parents and just needs to know that they are cared for.
My bucket was filled by Mrs. Nunn and Mrs. Harris this week. As I have shared with all of you during staff development, my son Jackson has a speech impairment. As a baby, he had many ear infections and did not hear properly for over a year. He didn't start talking until he was almost 3 years old and struggled in his first year of Pre-K. We retained him in Pre-K last year because he has always seemed to be a year behind his peers. I agonized over the decision to retain him, because I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. This year, we brought Jackson to Blooming Grove. Last week, I received an email from Mrs. Nunn stating he was doing wonderful in class - not having any trouble and even ahead of some of his classmates and did not need the inclusion support from Mrs. Harris. Yesterday, Mrs. Harris told me that Jackson was doing great and had no problems in class, and told me a story about how excited he was to work at the mimio board. As a parent, this was the first time since my child has entered school that we were told that he was on track or ahead of his peers. A simple sentence or two from these ladies overflowed my bucket with joy.
We have no idea of the impact of our words on others - positively or negatively.
So today - I am thankful for Mrs. Nunn and Mrs. Harris, for taking a moment to share these positive comments about my son. He loves school this year and I am incredibly grateful for that.
I challenge you to fill someone's bucket today. Take a moment and reflect on the first few weeks of school. Did you dip into someone's bucket? Do you need to make a deposit into someone's bucket now? Or do you know of someone who just needs their bucket filled today? I promise you - when you fill someone's bucket - you fill your own as well.
Like this idea and want to use it in the classroom? Here are some links for ideas!:
http://www.bucketfillers101.com/
http://www.teachingheart.net/bucket.html
http://www.momentsaday.com/5-activities-to-learn-about-kindness-bucket-filler-resources/
For HS/Adults:
http://strengths.gallup.com/114079/Full-Bucket.aspx
http://www.justintarte.com/2011/10/how-full-is-your-bucket.html
I have shared a great three minute video that reviews the premise of the book that you can watch or share with students. Also see the pictures and links below for resources and books for children and adults.
Please send an email and share your #ThankfulThursday if you like!
Thanks for all you do! It's a GREAT DAY to be a LION!
Jessica