How Full Is Your Bucket?

Teaching kids to be kind and empathetic

As a young mother I first read the book, How Full Is Your Bucket, by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton for a book club.  I don't recall if I picked the book or if it was assigned, but I loved it right away.  At that time of my life I was knee deep in diapers, nursing, chasing babies, and desperately trying to keep my sanity while my husband was preoccupied with grad school.  4 kids in 5 years, was a bit overwhelming.  I appreciated right away how the book helped me to focus on the positive parts of our lives and how we can help others to be happy as well.  I know that self-help books often get a bad rap, but I love them!  They make me feel good and motivated, so where's the wrong in that? Good stuff! 

In 2009 Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer...

CHIP Trophies!

Motivate your students by offering this cute award!

 Need a way to motivate your students or children? Try using CHIP Trophies! I relied on these so much during my public school teaching days and will be starting these soon with my own children in our homeschool.  My kids DEFINITELY need a little push in this direction.  I'll keep my words short since I don't want to lose you before I get to the tutorial.

Chip Trophy is about 4 inches tall

Cooperative, Happy, Independent, Person

Here's the scoop: 

CHIP stands for Cooperative, Happy, Independent, Person.  Make a bunch of these at the beginning of the year and put them in a prominent spot where they will be seen while reminding the students of their goal.  Discuss these attributes, put up a bulletin board, and watch...