Bucket Filling and a FREEBIE!

I first heard about Bucket Filling last year and loved the idea of it.  I knew it was something I'd like to do in my classroom, but I didn't want to start it at the end of the year.  So this year, I am going to slowly try to become a Bucket Filling teacher!

A Bucket Filler is someone who does and says nice things for other people, filling their invisible "buckets".  A bucket dipper is a bully or someone who does mean things to others.  It's such an easy concept for kids and I really like the idea of creating a classroom where the students are polite, respectful, and just plain nice people.  This book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud illustrates it so well for kids.  I would say you could use this book with any elementary aged class. 

I started my lesson on Friday by reading the book to the kids and having them brainstorm some ways that they can fill someone's bucket.  I then handed out this sheet from Teacher Bits and Bobs.

The students wrote their idea for filling someone's bucket, illustrated it, and made a cute little bucket from construction paper.  On Monday, we are going to edit our sentence and add a background to the illustration.  We are also going to learn the Bucket Filler song I found on Mrs. Talbot's Golden Stars.  She has linked the song AND included a printout of the lyrics for kids to read along.

Most of these ideas I got from Pinterest, where I have a full board dedicated to Bucket Filler ideas.  I also stumbled across a Linky party at First Grade Brain with all ideas about Bucket Filling. 

My next steps are to create a bucket board for kids to have each of their own buckets.  I was inspired by these boards:

Via Yearn to Learn

Via Ms. Jones' Jungle

Via A Day in the Life of a Second Grade Teacher

Another thing I am thinking of is to create the buckets with cute buckets from Oriental Trading and attaching them to a framed bulletin board I have yet to hang in the room.  Most of my wall space is already taken up, so this could be a challenge.  When I finally figure it out, I will definitely show you what it looks like!

When I do eventually make my board, these are the notes my students will be writing to each other.  I can't wait!
Bucket Filling Sheet