Recently Updated and Still Free: Acts of Kindness

I am working on a character education series called 30 Days of Character.  Thirty Days of Kindness is an update of 100 Random Acts of Kindness.  In addition to compliment cards for students to notice acts of kindness, I have included thirty quotes about kindness, a paraphrasing activity, and some suggestions for using the quotes.

You can download 30 Days of Kindness from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
You can also download 30 Days of Kindness from my Teacher's Notebook store.

Also check out the first in this series, 30 Days of Gratitude.

30 Days of Gratitude is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
30 Days of Gratitude is also available in my Teacher's Notebook store.

All my products are on sale this week at Teachers Pay Teachers Sale.

Did I help someone today?

A little more than a year ago, I was taking a break from teaching and working retail.  Having this job change gave me perspective.

For those of you who haven't worked retail sales, this is another industry where someone else sets goals for you and every interaction is measured based on those goals.  

Did I greet the customer within 30 seconds?
Did I build rapport?
Did I start them in the section of the store with the most expensive items?
Did I sell them more than one item in the transaction?
Did I get them to sign up for store credit?
Did I get them to purchase the extended warranty?

I quickly became overwhelmed with all that I was supposed to remember in each conversation with a customer.  I wasn't meeting "my goals."

I talked with a more experienced salesperson who guided me to a simpler goal: Did I help someone today? I wasn't meeting other people's goals for me, but I could meet that one.

This week we are finishing first semester.  I am worrying about grades and goals alongside my students.  I am concerned about what their parents will think and how this process will reflect upon me with administration.

I need to go back to a simpler focus: Did I help someone today?

Paraphrase a Quote and New Release

I am working on a series of Character Education materials I use with my students.  Today's freebie is a way to use inspirational quotes in the classroom and practice paraphrasing.

Students copy the quote directly and then follow the steps to look up any words they don't know.  Then they write it in their own words without looking at the original.  Finally they check to make sure they captured the original meaning.

To download the "Paraphrase a Quote" lesson, please click here. 

I post a quote every Sunday here on Artistry of Education.  To view recent quotes, click here.

New product release:

30 Days of Gratitude is available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
30 Days of Gratitude is also available in my Teacher's Notebook store.

Self-Control Revisited

Early in the history of this blog, I posted something about self-control.  It wasn't a great post and the links are broken, but the original idea has lasted.  

The quote above is one I have used in my classrooms.  I often follow up with "Do you want self-discipline or teacher discipline?"

Students don't like it when someone tells them what to do--whether it's me or another student.  I am trying to appeal to their intrinsic motivation instead of external rewards.  I want them to see why someone may be redirecting their behavior.

Recently, I wrote this on the whiteboard in a class where I was the guest teacher.  It was all the redirection most of the students needed.  There's always an outlier.

Teaching Empathy with a Buddy Class

For the first half of my career I taught in the primary grades.  (Here in Washington State that means kindergarten through third grade.)  Some years we had a buddy class in the fourth, fifth or sixth grades.

One year there was a fifth grader who struggled at recess, so he became our permanent buddy during our station times.  He bonded with one of my first graders and time in our class kept both students calm.

Later I moved to fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.  I loved the independence of the older students, but I missed the constant light bulb moments of the younger students.  I made it a point to adopt a younger buddy class.  

I would teach the older class the lesson and have each student teach the same lesson to their younger buddy.  Only occasionally did I have an older student struggle to be a good role model in this setting.  (I'm talking three times in sixteen years.)  Usually the older child would remember what it was like to be younger and behave appropriately.

Four Ways to Solve a Conflict

I find that teaching directly some skills for resolving conflict help the learning climate in my classroom.  Most solutions fit into four categories: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive.  I want my students to learn to be assertive: telling the truth respectfully.

This is a printable copy of a larger anchor chart I create when teaching problem-solving skills in an upper elementary class.  I refer to this chart when discussing hypothetical situations and possible solutions.  I want students to realize that they have control over their responses to conflict and that some responses will be more effective than others.

To download Four Ways to Resolve Conflict, please click here.

Happy Friday!

Student Leadership Guide: Free Download

Last year my school wanted to increase the number of leadership opportunities for students.  We decided to try a job board for students.  To download the free printable forms we used, please visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or my Teacher's Notebook store.

One of the reasons for our success was having an adult sponsor each job.  That gave students connection and accountability with an adult that wasn't their classroom teacher.  Every adult at school was encouraged to sponsor a job, but no one was required to.

Another reason that this was successful was the communication between the classroom teacher and the sponsoring adult.  If a student didn't show up for a job, they would be reminded.  If a student was using a job to get out of classroom responsibilities, the adults would talk.

If you have questions or suggestions, I would love to hear from you in the comments section.

How Can You Encourage Someone Today?

(Click here to download the Encouragement Poster from my Google Drive.)

Last year in March I created some slips for my students to give to each other called Endurance and Encouragement slips.

A few weeks later, I created a bulletin board in the shape of a racetrack to post their slips.

This week I am adding the poster, I created to go along with the slips and the bulletin board.  (Click here to download the Encouragement Poster from my Google Drive.)

Doesn't everyone need a little bit of encouragement this time of year?

Behavior Intervention: If...Then...Charts

"If you finish math before 10:30 (p. 347 1-10), then you will have time for a math game. Mrs. Bauer"

Over the last twenty-four years, I have had a number of students who needed behavioral interventions.  I have created many charts and ways of tracking data.  I prefer to design my own plans to make them fit my teaching style and classroom.  (I try not to make the child stand out any more than he or she already does.)

This year after a pretty intense day with a student, the IEP team regrouped and decided that If...Then... charts would be an appropriate first intervention for the child.

"If you start morning work right away, then you will earn a privilege. Mrs. Bauer"

I know other teachers create laminated charts.  I use the sticky notes because I can adapt them to the assignments for the day.  (Also, if they are ripped up in a moment of rebellion, I can easily replace them.)

I'm not saying that this system has worked miracles.  It is giving a particular student some power and control in the classroom, and she is getting some work done.

To read more about my Privileges and Coupons system, read one of these previous posts:

1.  Privileges and Coupons -- My Incentive System

2.  People of Integrity -- When there's a guest teacher

3.  30 Days Till the End of the Year

4.  The Desk Fairy

Also, you can download the free printable forms Privileges and Coupons from my Teachers Pay Teachers and my Teachers Notebook stores.

What Can I Ignore and Get Away With?

This year my school is adopting Leader in Me.  This program is based on Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, but it is for elementary schools.

We spent time as a staff this summer going over the four quadrants for time management.

The idea of this time management plan is to spend most of your time in Quadrant 2 and minimize the other three.  I summarized this plan with the question "What can I ignore and get away with?"

Educators are bombarded with expectations. I want to think through what I really need to accomplish and what I want to let go.

I already shared my philosophy with my principal.  She thought it was a good question.
What can you ignore?
To download a four quadrant worksheet, click here.

Asking Good Questions

If you have been teaching for awhile, you know that each class has its own personality.  Mine LOVE to ask each other questions. 

I discovered this when I set out the class meeting agenda.  In other years, students write problems on the agenda and we solve them as a class.  I have posted my process for this in an earlier post.

This year, I usually have one or two problems and a whole list of questions to discuss.  We have talked about what makes a good question for class meeting.  It usually comes down to: how many students can participate?

We live just north of Seattle and as the Seahawks made the playoffs and started their progress to the Super Bowl, I had a list of questions like:

Who is your favorite running back?
Who is your favorite quarter back?
Who is your favorite defensive end?
Did you watch the game this weekend?
Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?

We had to come up with rules for the questions.  You couldn't ask a question someone had just asked.  You had to ask a question that others might have some knowledge about.  Better questions gave us something to discover about one another.

I was very surprised when most of my students could answer the question: what is your favorite Minecraft Youtube video?  Who knew that was a good discussion question?

Problem Solving During Class Meeting

I want to share how I have students solve their own problems during class meeting.  I want students to be able to take responsibility for their side of the issue.  At the same time, I can keep track of ongoing situations and problems where I need to step in.

When a student has a problem with another student, they put their name on the agenda.  My agenda is simply a spiral notebook with a pencil attached.  I usually have them put a word or two next to their name to remind them of the situation, but no other names.

During class meeting time I call on the student to describe the problem.  For most situations I have the student not use names of the other children in the situation.  The focus of the meeting is to come up with strategies for the reporter to try.

Other students raise their hands if they have suggestions. The first child calls on four students to give their suggestions.  Once again the focus for the meeting is what the first child can do to solve the problem.  I emphasize that the only person whose behavior you can control is your own.

(There is no magic about the number four.  You could just as easily have the student call on three or five people.  Four works for me.)

After people have made the suggestions, I ask the first child, "What will you try?"  Usually the child says I will do Jeremy's or Susan's.  I redirect with the question, "What will you do?"  I want the student to focus on the action they will try not the person who gave them the advice.

These steps work well for most minor problems between students.  If I hear something reportable, usually the other students recognize it as serious and recommend the student gets adult help. 

Who is Invisible?

A couple of weeks ago, I took a long road trip with family for a memorial in another state.  On my way I tried to picture each of my students.  I went around the seating chart until I could picture and name each one.  After three weeks with them, no one was invisible.

It helps that I only have 23 this year and I haven't had a furniture thrower in awhile.  I want to make sure that each person is noticed and called on and helped.  It is usually the quiet girls I have the most difficulty picturing. 

I know there are children who prefer to be invisible.  When I was 17 and joined the army, I figured out that staying quiet and following directions kept me out of the drill sergeant's wrath.  Being invisible is a good defense at times.  I want to see everyone.

I know there are teaching strategies to make sure I get around to every child and no one opts out.  I find closing my eyes in a quiet moment away from school to make sure I haven't forgotten anyone impacts the climate in my room.

Hooray for the Bystander Poetry Printable

Click here for the free poetry printable.

This poem was originally posted on my poetry blog, Poems of Silliness.

For more poetry to use in your classroom, visit Poems of Silliness.  The tags are organized by poetry form and the bar across the top allows you to search by key word.  No registration required.

I don't mind if teachers use my poems in personal lessons, but please don't use them in commercial products.  Thank you.

Testing Week Two

This week we finish our state testing.  I thought I would show you a picture of the poster we created with our Endurance and Encouragement slips. (Click here to read the original post about Endurance and Encouragement.  The Encouragement slips here are a Google Doc.)  I am using the poster to cover some of the anchor charts the students can't see while they are testing.

Our testing is going okay.  I tell my students in advance that they will hear me say:
"I'm sorry I can't answer that question." 
"Read the directions to yourself.  I trust you to make a good choice." 
"Make sure you check every page and answer every question."

When we were done testing for the day last Wednesday, one of my students asked if I was back to being their teacher now.  It's a good description of my role.

On an unrelated note, I took some time this weekend to finish two new writing genre units: Writing Historical Fiction and Writing Science Fiction.  They are both available in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

A couple of months ago, I received this book in my school mailbox from Random House.  I had seen posters for it, but I hadn't bought a copy or read it.  I read it in a couple of days.  The main character has a birth defect that has caused him multiple surgeries.  In fifth grade he enters middle school, having been schooled at home up till now. 

Auggie's classmates don't quite know how to respond to his obvious differences.  The story is told from multiple perspectives.  The characters learn about courage, friendships and bullying.

I haven't decided yet if I will read it aloud to this year's class.  They are generally accepting of people with differences.  They had no problem filling our acts of kindness jar.  I don't have the issues with them that I have had other years.

On the other hand, I think they need to see the power of the bystanders in the world.  Bullies get more power when the group won't intervene.

Update June 2014: I did read this aloud to my students knowing that I would cry.  Here is a free printable form to analyze an event from multiple points of view.

For an explanation of my rating scale, click here.
Find me at Goodreads.

Endurance and Encouragement

If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you know that I find March a difficult month to teach.  This year when I saw attitudes fade, I decided to try something new.
We had a class meeting and talked about endurance.  Most students associate this attribute with sports.  We defined it as a class as sticking with a task for a long time even when it is hard.
Next I introduced the slips and talked about the importance of encouraging others to work hard and keep going.  My students have already worked with Acts of Kindness slips, so this was a procedure I had in place.
The first day, I had people notice others who showed endurance at the end of a couple of workshop sessions.  Now I read the slips at our class meeting each morning.
I glue them to a butcher paper "track" which is simply a brown oval on a green background. I am not making a big deal about filling the track or reaching a goal.  I am hoping they value endurance for its own sake.

Click here to download the Endurance Slips as a Google Doc.

Update: to see a related bulletin board, click here.

  Do you have inspiration on a Monday?  Link up with Fun in 1st Grade.  

Oldest Marathon Runner (Unofficially)

Last week I heard a blurb on the local news about a 101-year-old man who had just completed his last competitive race.  I had to find out more.

Fauja Singh was born before WWI, but because he doesn't have a birth certificate, Guinness Book of Records won't grant him the title of oldest marathon runner.  He started running competitively at age 89 after the death of his wife and son.  He turns 102 April 1.

Singh runs to raise money for others.  He just completed the Hong Kong Marathon and ran the 10K in 32 minutes 28 seconds. He raised over $20,000.

He plans to keep running.  "I will not lose confidence. I have been running for four to five hours every day and I will keep on doing so. This is why I am still alive. If I stop working, my life would no longer be a success and I would fail. I would lose my charm then," Singh said.

Singh attributes his success to the joy he gets from running. "It's because of the happiness I get out of it. If something makes you happy, you'll do it well."

Resources:
http://www.wrdw.com/news/world/headlines/101-year-old-man--193130261.html

http://sports.in.msn.com/othersports/101-year-old-marathon-runner-shines-at-last-race

http://www.kvia.com/news/World-s-oldest-marathon-runner-runs-last-race/-/391068/19066110/-/12r54l3/-/index.html

I linked up with Fun in 1st Grade for Inspiration Monday.

More Acts of Kindness

A few years ago I posted my own version of 100 Acts of Kindness.  Several teachers in our building are having their classes keep track of their acts of kindness as we get close to M.L.K. Jr. Day. I wrote a follow up post here.

A colleague of mine who sometimes reads this blog did this with her sixth graders, but for a different purpose.  I am sharing her idea with permission.
Her students were disrespectful to our instructional technology teacher who visits our schools when we have special projects.  She took away all in-class computer access and they had to earn it back by showing 100 acts of kindness.  There were a few stipulations:
1. Everyone had to earn one.
2. Some had to be given by adults.
3. Students couldn't nominate themselves or ask someone else for one.
I hope they learn to value being kind.

Click here to download the four page freebie from Teachers Pay Teachers.

Click here to download the four page freebie from Teacher's Notebook. 

What's in a name?

The first day of school I have a ritual I have stuck with for as many years as I can remember.  I have the students look at the name tags and tell me if that is the name they want to be called.  I make a big deal about how a sign of respect is calling someone by name.  We discuss nicknames and how some show that you belong and others are insulting.  This year I added a time in our morning meetings where students challenge themselves to go around the circle remembering each person's name.

Over the summer at a family reunion, I was called by a name that makes me cringe.  It's one of those childhood names that one sheds when they get older.  No one else calls me this name.  I hesitated to correct the family member.

It did cause me to think about my ritual and the way I want to show my students that I respect each of them and that I want them to respect each other in this way.

As I have said before, a nickname not agreed to by giver and receiver is name-calling.