Bucket Fillers

My class will be participating in the Bucket Filler program this year. This idea was based on a children's book Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud. I will begin by reading this book. Next I will show the individual buckets I have purchased for each student. We will discuss how to become a bucket filler. Students will have access to bucket forms to write positive, kind notes that will make a friend happy. These private forms will be distributed on the last day of the week. Unfortunately, we must discuss what "bucket DIPPERS" do. They bully and fail to respect others. The book describes how hurtful "dippers" can make us feel. Bucket fillers show love, respect, and appreciation of each other. Doesn't this sound like fun!

My Class Roll

It finally happened! I got my new class roll. Let me tell you how very excited I am! Of the students on my roll, I have the siblings of seven former precious students and their devoted, supportive parents. What a great year this will be! I am already thinking of ways to make the year special and memorable for each child. Right now I have 8 boys and 8 girls. I will get more as new parents register their children. We have been advised not to announce our class rolls just yet. It is so difficult not to say something, make some calls, or send e-mails. Letters go out on Monday. I hope the parents are as pleased as I am. Can you tell how happy I am?

Dr. Seuss Quote

Leave it to a line from a Dr. Seuss book to inspire me! My quote of the week is "Oh the things you can find when you don't stay behind." from On Behind Zebra. Technology is what comes to my mind. I took three technology workshops last month in hopes of becoming more computer saavy! ha Actually, one of my dearest friends dragged me into the classes kicking and screaming. I guess I am not entering this technology century gracefully. I tried to think of 10 top reasons why I should NOT improve my technology skills.

1. I thought hyperlink meant an overactive connection.
2. My second graders already know more about computers than I do.
3. I spent 20 minutes trying to "google" at one workshop, only to find I had been
typing "goggle".
4. Why would anyone name a major part of a computer a "MOUSE"?
5. When did friending someone become a verb?
6. About the time I learn how to do something on the computer, it becomes outdated!
7. How does a computer know more about me than my best friend?
8. I don't know why you spell "log in" login? Where's the space?
9. Why would anyone want to save a draft. I thought a draft was only temporary!!
10. Who was the genius who came up with the computer tower? It must have been a very short person!

Oh, well my daughter Jennifer patiently helped me learn to blog. Here's to my best efforts...

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July! I thought this was an appropriate day to begin blogging since I am very patriotic. I am thankful for the opportunities I have been given by the many soldiers who faught for my freedom. I have decorated my classroom this year in a patriotic theme. I hope my students are happy there as I strive to create a community of learners who learn, laugh, and love together.


Jennifer, my engineering daughter, is home from Columbus. Georgia, for the holiday weekend. Her sister Jessica (yes, I know, "Jessica Simpson" like the singer/actress) is away at Florida State University where she is studying Music Therapy. Tallahassee is way too far to come home for a short weekend. We are missing her bunches! The day has been beautiful! We are looking forwards to fireworks at the lake.