You WILL Be Held Accountable
I am learning that stories are vessels of instruction for behavior. The students will be held accountable for their behavior, but I will provide every opportunity for them to succeed. When the teachers, administration and families share in holding the child accountable the child will likely succeed. How do the parents know to hold their children accountable for being a bucket filler? Because I equip them with clear expectations and the stories that help their child understand. The have access to all the habit stories, picture books and stories from which we learn. Eder writes, "Stories carry a charge of emotion that greatly enhances the likelihood of retaining the meanings conveyed because memorable events tend to be those associated with strong emotions" (2007, p. 282). The following examples are children that are emotionally charged with stories that stem from strong emotions. The first story demonstrates a teacher-student story of accountability. The second and third stories show peer recognition and story recounts of positive behavior choices. The final story shares the importance of the home-school connection to help children succeed.
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Mayor Davis Elects a Peer This little boy we call, Mayor Davis. He was dubbed Mayor Davis because he acts as though he has the keys to kindergarten. He knows the rules, expectations and procedures. Following all these rules is a challenge at times, but he has made tremendous growth since the beginning of the year.
Here you will see him nominating a peer to move up and gives evidence as to why he should. This is an important piece to our prosocial learning; the children must provide evidence for their nomination in order for it to be considered. We connect this with science explaining to the children that there must be evidence before we can determine something to be true. Mayor Davis is retelling a story, an experience he had when observing the actions of his peer. I can only conclude that he is connecting the stories, feelings and choices to recognize the good in others and himself. |
Morning Bucket Filler Our greatest hope with our new behavior system and story/puppetry connections was that our students look for the good in others and recognize them for their efforts. This particular morning one of the students made it to the top (purple bucket filler) before lunch! Almost unheard of. But it was one of his peers that nominated him to move up. Look at the joy on some of the students' faces for this little boy. Bennett wrote, "Compassion thus comes close to the very heart of moral awareness, to seeing in one's neighbor another self" (1993, p. 107). The students are genuinely proud of their neighbor and see him as a role model for themselves. This boy had never made it on purple before, so this day his choices where so impeccable that no one could deny his success. This is a wonderful story. These are the kinds of stories that David shares at the end of the day to make learning and connecting more meaningful.
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Together We Are Strong
One mother has had quite a trying time since the beginning of kindergarten. She knew that her child was strong willed and was forth right and willing to support her needs across the spectrum. Below you will see the school/family connection sheets that the children take home folder. As you can see, Stacia had a difficult time adjusting to kindergarten. But her case was an exceptional one because her mother cares and is dedicated to her daughter's academics and prosocial success! When the family and school work together the child is more likely to succeed. One October morning mom stopped in to drop off some cupcakes for her daughter's birthday. We shared all the positive changes that we had experienced with Stacia. Mom explained the changes were happening at home because of a book she had purchased (see left). She said that her and her parents were following the suggestions and being consistent no matter how Stacia tried to fight them. Mom swore by the book. I swear by mom's dedication to her daughter!
I am delighted to say that Stacia received her first Purple Bucket Filler nomination in November. Her mother was bursting with pride and we ALL rejoiced and praised Stacia for her positive choices. The best part... she didn't get a new toy, something from the treasure box or some other meaningless bribe. From the teachers she received praise and got to keep her clip from the behavior chart, from her peers she reveled in the cheers and hugs they gave her, from her mom...joy, laughter and "the Purple Bucket Dance". Mom had promised her that she would dance the Purple Bucket Dance if she ever got on purple. Recently during conferences, mom said that she DID go home and do the dance. We asked if she would ever consider showing the dance to the rest of the class. Mom promised to do the dance for the class when her daughter earned her next Purple Bucket! Her daughter was at the conference during the discussion and was elated that her mother would come in and dance for her peers. What a testimony this mom will be to her daughter and all the students! Their story is inspiring!
I am delighted to say that Stacia received her first Purple Bucket Filler nomination in November. Her mother was bursting with pride and we ALL rejoiced and praised Stacia for her positive choices. The best part... she didn't get a new toy, something from the treasure box or some other meaningless bribe. From the teachers she received praise and got to keep her clip from the behavior chart, from her peers she reveled in the cheers and hugs they gave her, from her mom...joy, laughter and "the Purple Bucket Dance". Mom had promised her that she would dance the Purple Bucket Dance if she ever got on purple. Recently during conferences, mom said that she DID go home and do the dance. We asked if she would ever consider showing the dance to the rest of the class. Mom promised to do the dance for the class when her daughter earned her next Purple Bucket! Her daughter was at the conference during the discussion and was elated that her mother would come in and dance for her peers. What a testimony this mom will be to her daughter and all the students! Their story is inspiring!