Bucket Filler Website

 

Bucket Filler Website

If you love Have you Filled a Bucket Today, you should check out the website:  https://bucketfillers101.com

You will find some great resources, including little awards to recognize your awesome bucket fullers in class.  My kindergartners love them! Below are some examples. 

Chill Zone

Kindergarten Chill Zone

In early August, I send my families a student information form asking for everything from allergies to hobbies and talents.  I also ask if children had any challenges in PreK.  When I was reading through the responses, I noticed a few kids who struggled with "big emotions" or "behavior challenges." A few of my friends had started these calm corners recently, so I decided it was time for me, too. 

I am so glad I did.  My fear was it would just be a play space, and at first it was.  I was okay with that to begin.  After a couple weeks, I did a more formal lesson on how we would use it.  When kids ask to go there, I try not to ask "why."  (Sometimes I fail at this when I think a kid is a-ok), but who am I to decide if a kid is having big feelings, just because I can't see it.

I spent around $75 to get this started.  I am fortunate that my school reimburses me.  Just outside the Chill Zone is a basket of pop-its, fidgets, stuffies, and breathing balls.  Right now I am telling them they can stay for five minutes and so far, they come out easily.  

Fidget Toys 

Canopy with Lights

Extending Stories

One of my favorite post reading activities I tried this year was having students write a "sequel" to our book.  I was surprised with two things: First, they were super excited not only to write and illustrate their sequels, but also to read them to the class. Second, it started a huge trend of students going home and writing their own books and bringing them to school, excited to share.  Definitely adding this to my rotation of extension activities. 

Below are some of their books they created at home, just for fun.  It wasn't an assignment: they were inspired. 😍

30 Second Dance Party

One day, my school's CFO asked what technology I wanted for my room.  All I wanted was this 30 Second Dance Party.  A week later, he showed up with it for me as a surprise.  It is SO MUCH FUN.  Like the name implies, it plays dance music for 30 seconds.  When I hit the button, we get up, dance, and when it's over I tell them they have to act "like nothing happened." It is hilarious.  It is great for class community.  By the end of they year, they would start their own dance circles and conga lines.  

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