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

Keep Calm

Is it just me, or are the Keep Calm and Carry On signs everywhere?  For Valentine's day it was Keep Calm and Love On.  For Thanksgiving: Keep Calm and Gobble On.  And even for St. Patrick's Day I saw Keep Calm and Pinch On. 

Well, I'm not so into pinching, especially with 1st graders, so I decided to make one of my own: Keep Calm and Read On.  I actually saw it in a classroom my team was observing to learn more about Daily 5 and CAFE.  I thought it was adorable and would be easy to re-create.

I put it in a clear sheet protector and, using packing tape, taped it to the side of a bookshelf in my classroom library.  I love it and so do the kids!  I might print another one to display in our large Expedit shelf - It would look great in a white frame!

Make sure to leave a comment with your email address and I will email it to you.  If you'd like it in a different color, just let me know!

What other Keep Calm signs have you seen?

Edit: I just uploaded several new colors to my Scribd account and also pinned them on my Pinterest account.  Thanks!

Scribd

I just joined a website where you can upload documents for free and share them with your friends!  Many other blogs I follow have been giving away calendars and posters with fun quotes on them.  I decided to join the band wagon as well and have uploaded my own!  There is a poem called "Babies Don't Keep" that I've been wanting to do something with.  Every time I look at Audrey so peacefully sleeping, I think of it.

Photo taken by Carrie O'Callaghan

Inspired by Scribd, I finally typed it up with fun colors and font and uploaded to share with you all!  Let me know if you'd rather have a word document so you can change the colors and fonts to your liking.  Maybe you have a poem you've always liked.  What is it?  Are you inspired to type it up and share it on Scribd as well?

Babies Don't Keep