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"Being a Bucket Filler"
One of the continuing goals at Austintown Elementary School is to encourage students to be caring, respectful and kind and we are sure that you have the same expectations at home. While the teachers have the ability to utilize multiple programs, plans, and other activities to reinforce these expectations, many choose to use "Bucket Fillers" in their room. The great thing about the "Bucket Filling" program is that the same principles can be applied at home! Here at AES, the program that allows each child to strengthen their own good character while at the same time building positive character in others.
Have You Filled A Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud as a basis for this program. Bucket fillers is a character education program designed to foster positive feelings and actions. The premise is that everyone has an invisible bucket inside them and it can either be filled with good things or emptied because of bad things. A bucket filler is a person who does kind, helpful, thoughtful things and thus “fills” a person's inner bucket. A bucket dipper is a person who is negative and causes the positive things to be “dipped” out of the bucket.
Basically it says that we all carry invisible buckets that contain our good feelings. When our bucket is full we feel great. When our bucket is empty we feel sad. A bucket filler is someone who says or does nice things for someone else. A bucket dipper is someone who says or does things that causes others to feel bad. We encourage you to use these same terms at home because they are familiar to your children and will hopefully encourage them to make good choice and be a "Bucket Filler"!
The Cycle of Giving
The Cycle of Giving
Learning to fill buckets by giving something of value to others is one of the most important keys to happier living. Numerous studies show that giving to others increases our own happiness. Many people, including children, believe that "giving" is about money or things, but a closer look reveals that "giving" involves much more. This lesson is designed to show your students what giving is really about.
Your students will need paper and pencil for this lesson. Ask them to think of things they can give that don't cost money; not even a penny. Give them time to write at least 5 or more ideas on their paper. Go around the room and ask each student to read one of their favorite ideas aloud to the class. As they are read, write their ideas on the board. If someone has already read one of their ideas, have them read another until all their ideas are recorded. You'll discover how many different ways your students thought of giving without spending. Some ideas may include:
1. Give a smile.
1. Give a smile.
2. Give a compliment.
2. Give a compliment.
3. Give a hug.
3. Give a hug.
4. Give time.
4. Give time.
5. Give help.
5. Give help.
6. Give a high five.
6. Give a high five.
7. Give a kind note.
7. Give a kind note.
8. Give up your seat.
8. Give up your seat.
9. Give a back rub.
9. Give a back rub.
10. Give an invite.
10. Give an invite.
Now, have each student review the full list of gifts. Mention that these are all ways that we fill people's buckets. Ask them to pick one gift that they could "give" over the weekend or during the next few days. Let them know that they will be given time later to share their bucket filling experience with the class: 1) Whose bucket did they fill? 2) What was their gift? 3) Do they think their "gift" made the other person happier? and 4) Did it make them happier? Suggestion: It might be fun to tabulate your classroom results to illustrate the different ways and number of buckets that were filled with this one exercise.
Check Out the Bucket Fillers Website for more information and activities!
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