Today at school, I was given a lovely surprise from the children who had Library class today. It came at the end of the day and was a paper bucket filled with kind thoughts.
They are reading
Have You Filled Your Bucket Today?, which is a Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids, written by Carol McCloud and illustrated by David Messing. It's based on Merrill Lundgren's thirty years of teaching. He has traveled the world teaching the importance of using words to lift people up and how detrimental words can be when used improperly and set out to write a book helping young children understand the importance of words.
The story is simple, yet profound and the images truly capture the heart of the story: every human being has a bucket that gets filled or depleted based on what others say. It's up to us to choose how to treat people. It's an excellent little read, and after our students read this book, they worked on a project.
Imagine my complete surprise to pull out their little slips of paper, written in their own hand. Here are a few of them:
"Thanks for helping me."
"I like you curly hair! and your self-estem!!"
"Your nice."
"Hi!"
"You make me giggle."
"You are very nice."
"I love your hair."
"You are funny."
"I like your sence of hummer."
There are a lot of reasons why I work where I do. I love the children, from kindergarten through high school, I love the people I work with. But most of all, I feel appreciated for what I do. It's a family. It is home.
And besides, I have an excellent sence of hummer.
Until tomorrow, my friends . . .
30 comments:
what a WONDERFUL surprise I am guessing you are the librarian? Mrs Bastian was my favorite person kindergarden through 6th grade and into adult hood when I would see her she would bring back wonderful memories...
Hugs Laura
Children have no pretenses...no hidden agendas. They speak their mind and give willingly from the heart. That they would put so much time into this precious gift speaks volumes about you, Kate. Children can be incredibly intuitive. They must have known you needed a hug.
You deserve every one of those;) Happy (Rabbit Rabbit) October 1st.
Laira, I run the office. Been there 10 years. I started when this year's sophomores were in kindergarten. Children can tell whether or not adults like them, can't they!
I don't know how they knew, but it was so appreciated. Thanks, Debra!
~ C.G.
Sounds like an excellent book for kids of all ages! It is great practice to offer honest compliments and positive affirmations to people.
I happen to heart your blog, George, your photos and your sence of hummer!
You know what? I like sence of hummer too. I think you're great! And I hope everything is going okay in your world.
Give George a little scritch behind the ear from me.
What a truly lovely surprise! That was so sweet and such a nice idea.
What a sweet post! I would hold on to the slips of paper and pull them out when I got discouraged. I'll be back. trish
Yay!!! Our little school is using that book and it's message as the foundation to the whole years theme!!!
I love that you have been blessed by it too!
Oh, congrats! Good for you, and them! Sounds like buckets being filled all around at your school! I'm glad to hear you have "self-estem".....that's important in life....and amazing a kid would think of that! A future guidance counselor or something, he or she must be!
Blessings on your finger situation!
That's just adorable. Your very own "sence of hummer" award. Too sweet. I also loved "you make me giggle"
I hadn't realized you worked at the school. I worked at the school in several positions. I was in the office, a one on one and worked in the Resource Room. I absolutely loved it! Now I am home raising my little boys. So glad you work at a school, how great for you and all the children!!!
I know some adults who could learn something from that book. What a wonderful idea -- to fill someone up with kind words!
Oh, and I love your sence of hummer.
xoxo,
Mary
I've always said you have an excellent sense of hummer. Really.
That is such a cute idea though. Not to mention that it's really nice to love your job and where you work!
What a great way to start a day with the appreciation and love from others! And I agree with Debra, child are innocent and loving, no pretenses.
It is a lesson for all of us...share a nice thought with others, throw out a compliment. You will always be given a smile in return.
How very lovely - and deserved!
What a lovely surprise for you...Love your blog...your pictures are wonderful. Love the post below "sometimes you feel like a not"...Excellent picture.
Take care,
Doreen
sometimes i type in your blog name and a mega bible site comes up. and i didn't spell anything wrong. am i crazy?
that's really sweet with the kind wishes from kindergartners. every little bit helps. love ya!
Oh that is the sweetest thing...Children have such a way to touch our hearts! Great post girl...have a great day!
...I second what's in your bucket! And btw, I too love your hair... ;o)
...Oh, and yes, a sence of hummer is of the utmost importance... :oD
...Blessings Miss Kate... :o)
How cute is that. It always amazes me how things like that happen, just when you need them. Like they were inspired to do it! Glad that you got the praise you deserve. And I love you hummer too!
*hugs*
"I like your sence of hummer." too!
:-Daryl
That is totally awesome. I love little people and I adore books. That is a special one. You are very blessed and much loved.
I like your curly hair too...now, for your sence of hummer!!! That is just too precious!!
Love ya,
Marlene
Who needs gold watches when you are given so many jewels!
Not just a pretty face are you? A sense of hummer is after all something to cherish!, a jewel in your crown of much admired hair.
Isn't this just the best thing ever? With that hair and sence of hummer, you would be a wonderful person to have lunch with, no doubt!
Oh wow! That is adorable!
I love the one that says You make me giggle ... although, I agree w/ the one who said you have a great sense of hummer ... lol. How cute.
What a lovely gift.
The voices of children! Wonderful!
I enjoyed this post very much!!
Take care and congratulations on such a nice surprise!
How nice! When I was teaching Grade 4 in a Christian school, I set up a weekly "Sonshiners" thing. The kids would randomly draw the name of another classmate and secretly watch that person during the week. On Thursday, they'd write a kind note to the person and sign their name. The recipient would write in a journal how they felt about what the "giver" had said in their note. It promoted friendship and family within the class plus their creative abilities to find something different and kind to say each week to their classmates. Also, it helped with their writing abilities by using their journal to record their thoughts. I'm glad to see other teachers are doing similar things.
Don't you love kids? I think we should all read this book. Our world need it, especially our political candidates right now.
I love this idea! how very cool. What a fabulous way to compliment children, and to help them think about ways to compliment others! I am 1 of two vocal/general music teachers in an elementary school. For us school starts Sept 8 (teachers return the 31 of August). I have to do this.
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