“Bucket Fillers”

Our invisible buckets have come to life! In our continuous journey to incorporate the values of showing love and respect for one another in our classroom, each Cardinal has decorated his or her bucket ... teachers too!

We have reread Carol McCloud’s book, Have You Filled A Bucket Today? During our gathered Morning Meeting, we reviewed the model of “bucket fillers” and “bucket dippers” which is based on a simple concept where we each have an invisible bucket with the singular purpose of holding good thoughts and feelings about ourselves. When we are happy and good to others, our buckets become full and when we are sad or not nice to others, our buckets become empty. We become "bucket fillers" when we are kind to others and when we are not kind or caring to others we are “bucket dippers.”

To make learning concrete and relevant to our Cardinal’s own experiences we played a game. We placed a bucket in the center of our Morning Meeting circle and each child took a turn on saying how they could fill someone’s bucket. Once everyone agreed, then the child would place a small colored cube to represent their good deed inside the bucket. After everyone had a turn thinking of a way to be “bucket fillers”, we then invited the Cardinals to think of a way that they can be “bucket dippers.” It was pretty amazing how honest and truthful the Cardinals were. The best part was that not only did each Cardinal voice how they dipped into someone’s bucket but each also shared what he or she did to re-fill the bucket. So, colored cubes were being placed into the bucket and also taken out.

The next day, the Cardinals sat together as a group and discussed how best to use our newly decorated buckets in the classroom. We came up with a magnificent idea! When our bucket is dipped, we will go to the “Bucket Fillers’ Corner”, find our bucket and place it upside down. Everyone in the classroom agreed to be mindful in looking at the shelves for any upside down bucket. Once one is seen, then it is our job to find a way to fill that Cardinal’s bucket. During our discussion, each Cardinal gave a suggestion on ways we can fill the bucket. Can you believe we came up with thirty ideas and not two were alike?  All are written and displayed next to our “Bucket Fillers Corner” where our buckets are exhibited. Please stop by and take a look.   

This whole notion is a fabulous way to improve our Social and Emotional learning at school. Be sure to ask your child about their bucket and all the great things that they are doing to fill their friends’ buckets and how their friends are filling theirs!! Social-emotional development is supported through positive and consistent relationships among families, teachers and children. So, go ahead and do try this at home.