Kindergarten Lesson: Bucket-Filling

Tomorrow we start our first classroom lesson in kindergarten. Just like we did in 1st and 2nd grades, we will learn about bucket-filling. We'll read and discuss the book Have You Filled A Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. Then, to make sure we understand the difference between bucket-filling and bucket-dipping, we'll give thumbs-up or thumbs-down (or jump up/crouch down) to some "real life" actions that I'll read aloud. Finally, each child will think of one thing they will do or say in his or her real life to be a bucket-filler, and draw it on a half-page sheet that should come home to you the day of his or her lesson.


I try to emphasize the fact that bucket-filling is something we do or say to all the grade levels for two reasons. First, to encourage ideas that are more specific and meaningful than just "be nice." And second, to emphasize that our goal is not just to think and feel like kind people, it is to actually act kind in ways that impact other people. Does that make sense? Thinking and feeling kind are good first steps, but to truly be a bucket-filler we need to go to the next level of examining whether what we are actually doing and saying is respectful, caring, and kind. I saw that basic premise once in a Popcorn Park character video in the district I used to work in, and it really stuck with me over the years!


I'll see Aldridge, Brown, and Childers' classes tomorrow, and all other kindergarten lessons will take place next week.


Thanks for reading! We are glad you are here!