SEPTEMBER
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FILL YOUR BUCKET
September marks the true end of summer and ushers in autumn. Now that the first few weeks of school are out the way, it’s time to settle in and build a positive routine.
At Springs, we know the most important part of having a fun and successful school year is developing strong relationships with teachers and peers.
This month, our curated resources revolve around the idea of filling buckets. How can we be a bucket filler instead of a bucket dipper? What do we do when others dip from our buckets? How can we ensure we have a full bucket while also filling others? Fun and play will definitely help with these tasks!
We hope you enjoy our resources this month and every month during our Year of PLAY!
Personalized Learning = Active YOU
SEPTEMBER FAMILY BUCKET LIST
Celebrate
10 Ways to Celebrate Grandparent’s Day on (or around) September 12th
Star Gazing
September is a perfect month for Star Gazing. Take a field trip to Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, or host your own Star Party!
September Family Movie Ideas
ET The Extra-Terrestrial: A young boy befriends a stranded alien and helps it find its way home. PluggedIn calls the film “an enduring, out-of-this-world fantasy that’s still fun,” adding that the film contains themes of home, friendship, and love. Although the film shows the importance of patience and kindness, the website cautions that the film contains some profanity and a few crude expressions. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 8 and older.
The Blind Side - Big Mike (Quinton Aaron) has problems even bigger than his physical size. When the disadvantaged teen comes to the attention of Leigh Ann and Sean Touhy (Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw), the affluent couple takes him into their family and tries to help him. Based on a true story, love, tutoring, and football play a large role in this inspirational movie. Parental guidance here.
INDOOR GAME OF THE MONTH
7 C's ACTIVITIES
Be part of a CARING COMMUNITY, COMMUNICATE to build friendships, CONNECT with themselves and others, have CONFIDENCE and self-esteem, COPE with disappointment and conflict, CELEBRATE themselves and others!
ELEMENTARY
Let’s keep track of the ways that we’ve been a bucket filler this month!
SECONDARY
It’s important to not only be kind to others, but also be kind to yourself! Here are some positive affirmations that will help you stop beating yourself up and start focusing on all your wonderful positives!
10 Positive Affirmation for Teens and Young Adults (free printables)
BOOKS THAT PROMOTE EMPATHY
How Full Is Your Bucket?
Written by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer
Illustrated by Maurie J. Manning
Auggie and Me: Three Wonder Stories
Written by RJ Palacio
This is a set of three stories (three different perceptions of Auggie) told by three different characters. We see him from the point of view of the bully, his oldest friend, and the new friend he makes at school.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Written by Jesse Andrews
Two friends make a low budget film to cheer up their dying classmate. What starts as serious turns into something hilarious. One of the few films that is almost as good as the book.
HAVE SOME FUN WITH WRITING
Download and print these fun writing activities for elementary and secondary students.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
UNSTRUCTURED PLAY: A KID-FRIENDLY BACKYARD OBSERvATION KIT
Treat your backyard as a natural science lab by having a few key observation tools handy:
Butterfly nets can be used for catching butterflies, moths, and flying insects.
A jar with holes in the lid or a bug house can be a temporary insect observation room.
A magnifying glass or loupe is helpful for looking closely at your subject.
A set of binoculars allows kids to watch larger bird and animal life more carefully.
STRUCTURED PLAY: DOUBLE DUTCH
How to Play It: Two people turn two long jump ropes in opposite directions as one person stands in the jump ropes and tries to jump without messing it up. Players add in different jumps and rhymes and everything else they see fit.
What Makes It Great: Builds coordination and stamina. Plus, it’s endlessly upgradable.
FUN HANDS-ON LEARNING ACTIVITIES
FUNNY SCHOOL JOKES FOR KIDS
