Nocturnal Animals Wake Up

It was such a hoot to spend time with the kindergarteners this past week as they wound up their nocturnal animals unit with a visit from an Ambassador for the Wildlife Center of Texas.

We got to meet a screech owl, a hoot owl, a hedgehog, a opossum and a hawk (left), which she brought along so that students could compare and contrast nocturnal and diurnal birds. 

Just look at how the Eastern Screech Owl (middle) camouflages. 

Here she is without a natural backdrop: 

A camouflage is a defense mechanism. 

What are some defense mechanisms that people use?

The little hedgehog had actually been a pet that some kid threw into a field when he didn't want it anymore, and, as the presenter was talking about responsibility to animals, I couldn't help but think about the importance of seizing these teachable moments early on so that good character choices become as much a part of who a child is as his/her fingerprint, personality, and DNA.

But how do you integrate character into a nocturnal animals unit?

I've got two books for that! Enter Hooty, an adorable little owl who's learning right from wrong. This simple story will give students some words so that they can start to cognitively connect our expectations with their choices.

Our three domains of character include cognitive, affective, and behavioral. Know it, love it, do it. Easy cheesy, right? This book is perfect for cognition and will readily spill over into affective because the our little dreamers will fall in love with this little guy and want to do the right thing, just like him.

Taking it to the Behavioral Domain won't be tricky at all because the accompanying finger puppet is as adorable as the book is easy to understand. And whooooo wouldn't want a pint-sized puppet to pass around? I could totally see little Hooty as a table mascot for the students as they're caught making good character choices.

Then try these activities for our youngest learners from Marco Products for more character and feelings enrichment and infusion.

Stellaluna by Janel Canon would also richly complement this unit. You may already know this batty tale about a baby bat who ends up in a nest with some birds.

To help students experience empathy and 

feel how she's feeling, sing along with Stellaluna in 

My Whole World's Turned Upside Down:

Finally, host a Pajama Day. 

Sweet Dreams. 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

The Christmas Spirit

Yesterday I got the best phone call. It was from a community partner with connections who asked me if I had a family that could use some holiday help. She went on to explain that a local steakhouse has decided to adopt a few families in honor of their employees at Christmas and provide them with dinner and gifts in lieu of what they've done for those employees in years past.

And I get to help arrange it. How cool is that? 

I just get crazy happy about Christmas Spirit.

And now, holiday travel just got merrier.

Click the picture to be transported to a winter wonderland for some unsuspecting passengers courtesy of WestJet. I'd love to meet the team who concocted this magical Christmas surprise.

Yes, Virginia, miracles do happen and 

the Spirit of Christmas is alive and thriving in 2013.

Now That's Significant

Today I'm researching who Dr. James Comer is 

and pondering what he means by significant.

Here's what I found when I looked the definition up online at 

The Free Dictionary.

And I'm going to muse that trust, kindness, caring and love are likely incredibly important ingredients

in that recipe of meaningfulness that makes

those connections significant.

How do you make that happen in your school family?

Peas On Earth

Do you know about this Eat Your Peas product?

Little cards with affirming messages on them.

 You bring joy to the world!

Be on the lookout for angels.

May the new year be your best one yet.

You make life merrier.

Who wouldn't want to get one of these? I'm pretty sure my sister and I found them shopping on the day after Christmas one year. Maybe even last year. I just love rediscovering my day-after purchases.

Anyway, I'm including them in my Christmas cards and

attaching them on top of plates of my Christmas treats.

And when they're gone? I can probably make more.

I'm thinking messages of joy and kindness ... 

all year long ... 

because caring knows no calendar.

They're available for all sorts of special people in your life.

 How would you use these little treasures?

Living Values

I just love this thought about living values:

What values are alive and well at your school?

If you were arrested for kindness, for example, 

would there be enough evidence to convict you?

What about Fairness? Respect? Responsibility?

Trustworthiness? Citizenship?

I recently updated my character rap; 

 Set the beat with a pat, pat, clap.

***************

The Character Rap by Barbara Gruener

Trustworthiness, respect, responsibility,

Won't you try the character rap with me?

Fairness, caring, citizenship, too.

Do you listen to your conscience when 

it tells you what to do?

Can you be trusted? Do you have integrity?

If I give you respect, will you give it back to me?

Are you reliable in everything you do?

'Cause stakeholders care; can they count on you?

Do you weigh things out? Are you judging fair?

Are you thinking with your heart and showing kindness everywhere?

Do you go to vote? On committees do you serve?

Do you volunteer to do your part? Recycle to conserve?

Trustworthiness, respect, and responsibility;

your character counts, so be the best that you can be.

Fairness, caring, citizenship, too.

Know it, love it, do it. Hey, it's up to you!

**********************

After playing around with my version of this rap, encourage students to write another verse or another rap. Then have them look for living examples of values in action like this post that my brother sent to me. It's a heartwarming story that talks about two athletes in Missouri, one with incredible determination, resilience, perseverance and drive, the other with undying compassion, friendship, encouragement and love. 

These two college football players (one of whom is a Friendswood High School graduate and Hometown Hero) make my heart sing and bring promise for a bright future. Prepare to be inspired and filled with hope.

Want some book recommendations for the Pre-K Kiddos in your character building? Go to PreK and K Sharing now for Vivian Kirkfield's guest post.

No Child Left Unkind

Pearl Harbor Day. And what would have been my parents' 56th wedding anniversary, had things worked out differently. I'm celebrating it because for me it's Caturday in honor of my new little black kitten named Mekah.

And we finished this work in progress before leaving school yesterday:

Isn't Anna's work amazing? I had to say goodbye to her while I welcomed Krystal, my next intern. Yes, I've been doubly blessed this year and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Now it's back to my piano (recital is at 4:00 today), my book (I'm on Chapter 8), and my kitten (sure hope she's not in our tree!).

I'll leave you with a link to this inspirational character clip out of the San Diego Unified School District of a wise Superintendent who poses the question:

What if it were No Child Left Unkind?

Happy Caturday!