PPBF: Mel Fell

Happy Valentine's Day; I hope you're feeling well-loved.

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PPBF: Top Notch

Today I'm grateful for the close of another incredible week; Wednesday night we were treated to this brilliance on an overnight with our friends in Waelder, TX that we hadn't seen in several years.

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PPBF: Hope At Sea

Today I'm thinking about hope. 

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Frolic With The Foodie Flamingo

Happy Friday; today I'm thinking about #B2S books.

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PPBF: Sabita Finds Her Voice

Good morning and happy end of April.

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Courage Over Comfort

In January, I was asked by CharacterDotOrg to write a piece

on courage for their March Character Exchange Magazine.

If you know me well, you know that I usually say yes,

even when I figure it might really challenge me.

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PPBF: Pete The Cat's Groovy Guide To Kindness

Happy May Day. We have been spending our recent days watching and waiting for this majestic caterpillar to Monarch butterfly transformation. It was a long process that resulted in much patience for me, so that's her name. Patience. 

I absolutely admire how much beauty she breathes into our backyard.

I've been thinking and learning a lot about patience lately;

what is this shelter-in-place situation teaching you?

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PPBF: Just Ask!

Today I'm grateful to have started my morning on a Zoom Call with an AmAzInG school family in Wentzville, MO, where I was scheduled to go on March 20th.

What fun to bring this quick reminder about wellbeing to them!

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Intentionally Leading With Empathy

Happy Columbus Day; today I'm excited because

I spent three glorious hours with the school counselors

in Deer Park ISD, talking leadership and self-care.

I made these mindfulness balloons for each of them.

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PPBF: When You Are Brave

Today I'm excited because good things are happening. On Wednesday, I enjoyed meeting the school family and speaking at the School of Science and Technology, then yesterday, an anonymous patron at The Red Oak Cafe paid for our lunch.

Last night I got to speak at a Family Character Night

at Ferguson Elementary.

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PPBF: The Day You Begin

Happy Friday; this week was a somber one, 
with the seventeen-year mark of 9/11 globally
and the ten-year anniversary of hurricane Ike locally,

a time for reflection and gratitude, for sure.

And we've had some bumps in the road on the home front,

but nothing that we can't hurdle together

with a little bit of grace and a whole lot of love.

Today I'm grateful for this incredible PPBF find.

Title: The Day You Begin

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

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PPBF: What Does It Mean To Be Kind?

Today I'm excited because I'm hosting my first Lunch 'n Learn with retired teacher and friend April Darling, who'll share ideas to enhance our Morning Meetings. 

I'm also delighted to share today's PPBF pick,

 the perfect springboard for class circle discussions.

Title: What Does It Mean To Be Kind?

Author: Rana DiOrio

Illustrator: Stéphane Jorisch

Publisher: Little Pickle Press

Date: August 25, 2015

Suitable for: grades preK-3rd

Non-fiction

Themes: kindness, courage, empathy

Brief synopsis: In this fifth book of the author's What Does It Mean? series, children can cultivate ideas about how people of all ages can show and experience kindness.

Opening page: What does it mean to be kind?

Resources:

*Read a Forward Review {here}.

*Check out this comprehensive Cool Mom Picks review.

*Enjoy this Mamalode book review.

*Download the Publisher's Discussion Guide {here}.

*Download The Kindness Game at Edutopia {here}.

*Revisit this post about Teaching Kindness at Edutopia.

*Share this Kindness video from Karma Tube.

*Read 49 Ways To Cause A Kindness Tidal Wave.

*Prepare to be wowed by these beautiful Kindness Tree visual displays gathered by my friend Lisa at Ripple Kindness blog. 

Why I like this book: Who wouldn't love the focus of this treasure's actionable suggestions for making kindness a verb. And because kindness knows no calendar, this book is positively perfect for any time of year, especially right now as we're about to kick of National Character Counts! Week. 

We know that we get more of what we focus on, so putting the spotlight on kindness is spot on. And because of its contagious quality, kindness creates a win-win that can serve as a powerful antidote to apathy, meanness, and bullying. After reading this gem aloud, look up the word kindness using Sign Language. Then research the signs using other words in the book to enrich the text's vocabulary and bring it to life.

My friend Heather made this sign for the threshold to our Hero Headquarters; use it to inspire a Kindness: It's A Sign campaign. Encourage your students to create a sign, a billboard, or a bumper sticker to advertise kindness and post them around the classroom, cafeteria, and hallways. 

Check out this book: it's a beautiful reminder of the charge of James M. Barrie: For today, be a little kinder than necessary.

Then check out today's other PPBF picks at Susanna's blog {here}.

What's your favorite practice for intentionally showing kindness?

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Daring To Be Brave

Hello dear reader, and happy Friday.

Today I'm excited to introduce you to a fun new book

that just might help your child understand and conquer a fear or two, 

but not before I tell you about my trip to NASA yesterday.

John's supervisor invited me to talk with a few leadership giants

about Fixed and Growth Mindset, so I went to share Carol Dweck's work with a Star Wars spin that I adapted from {here}.

I have it on good authority that they really connected with the Mindset song 

I wrote for them and played on the Ukulele.

You are my Padawans, my Mindset Padawans ...

Anyway, so many fun presenting opportunities presenting themselves.

And now, today's book review:

Title: Daredevil Duck

Author & Illustrator: Charlie Alder

Publisher: Running Press Kids

Date: May 12, 2105

Suitable for ages: 3 and up

Fiction

Theme: courage, friendship, fear

Brief synopsis: Daredevil Duck only dreams of being brave. Will he be able to muster up some courage when mole's yellow balloon gets stuck in a tree and he needs Duck's help?

Opening page:

Resources:  Read the thoughts of a five-year-old {here}.

Read a review at Kids' Book Review {here}.

Read Keila Dawson's PPBF post {here}.

Compare and contrast this Duck tale with another book

with a conquering-fears theme from this list. 

Share this motivational clip about courage {here}.

Why I like this book: If you've already watched the little clip, you've seen the flip-flap feature that instantly endeared me to this treasure. I love lift-the-flap books, but it's rare to find them beyond the Board Book stage. 

Daredevil Duck totally wants courage to be his superpower. He wants do brave stuff, to be a superhero, but time and time again, his fear gets in the way, and he's scared silly. This is super common in younger children, so I predict they'll connect with this beautifully-illustrated Duck tale that has sent my heart soaring.   

As an enrichment idea, encourage students to create their own Fear-This Flip-Flap book listing or drawing out things that scare them. Under the flap, they can show ways in which they imagine processing through to conquer that fear. Give them a yellow balloon as a tangible reminder about Duck and his adventure.

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PPBF: The Pout-Pout Fish In The Big-Big Dark

Today I'm excited because it was our last Friday of this school year

and I found a fishy PPBF about feelings that'll reel you in,

hook, line, and sinker.

Title: The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark

Author: Deborah Diesen

Illustrator: Dan Hanna

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Date: August 17, 2010

Fiction

Suitable for: ages 3-6

Themes: feelings of fear, courage, friendship

Brief synopsis: Ms. Clam needs help when her little pearl is lost at sea. Can the Pout-Pout Fish conquer his fear of the dark so that he can keep a promise?

Opening page: 

A doozie of a drowsy

Made Ms. Clam yawn.

Then a big current whooshed

And her pearl was GONE!

Resources:

Check out this Pinterest page with Pout-Pout Fish resources.

Find Pout-Pout Fish resources and summer activities {here}.

Compare and contrast with other ideas about courage {here}.

Sing along with the Pout-Pout Fish song:

Project-Based Learning: Read the book, research ocean life, then hold an Aquarium Open House. Here's a sneak peek into the sea-life event that Mrs. Martin's Kindergarten learners hosted this afternoon; talk about courageous!

Why I like this book:

Who wouldn't savor this sea-worthy story as we sail in to summer? Cute and clever, this rhyming underwater treat serves up an all-important underlying truth: 

We are bigger than the dark.

Mr. Fish knows his strengths, but he's also well-aware of his limitations. And although he wants to help his friend recover what was lost, he realizes that he must first muster up a whole lot of what he doesn't have much of when it comes to the dark: courage!

Courage comes in all shapes and sizes. For Mr. Fish, it's going to come shaped like Miss Shimmer, who works side-by-side with him to keep his promise, face his fears, brave the dark, and recover that pearl. Find out from your little sponges what scares them and let them share their strategies for mastering those 

scared feelings.

Check out this book and the other Pout-Pout Fish titles,

then head to Susanna's blog for today's other picks.

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David & Goliath

Today I'm thinking about that little shepherd boy from the Bible named David and that giant he faced called Goliath and the metaphor that their story is ... for life.

It's probably because we went to San Antonio for the State-level Science Fair this weekend and what we saw, felt, and experienced just blew us away; 

project after project with words we couldn't pronounce, 

research that would never cross our mind to pursue, 

and experiments that we wouldn't know where to start to reproduce.

And then there was our Joshua David. 

His project, which came out of the Houston Science Fair a first-place winner in the Earth and Space Science category, really seemed small and somewhat insignificant at State in comparison with the others, the upper classmen with their professional-looking double-board posters and their equally impressive business dress. Some of the participants even did their projects in an Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) class. With a mentor. In some cases, as an extension of a summer internship. Joshua wasn't feeling very confident. At all. 

But he had taken pride in his work, his experiment was creative, and he enthusiastically explained it to anyone who wanted to learn. He wasn't sure that'd be enough, but it must have made an impact with the judges, because Impact Craters: What Your Angle? took second place against the giants. 

On our way home, we stopped at the same Freddy's where {this story} about custard kindness happened just last week.

So let's upack this metaphor with some reflections: 

What giants are you facing?

Who is there to support, help and encourage you?

How will they know what you want and need from them?

How will you know when you've done enough?

How will you celebrate your victory?

On another happy note, we got to see our billboard yesterday, 

beautifully-framed by the San Antonio skies.

Turns out, you don't have to be a giant to be a superhero.

I'm thankful to The Joy Team for our partnership

and hopeful that our inspirational message might 

equip, encourage and empower 

a present-day David (or two) to face those giants

with strength, purpose, and grace.

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Change Begins With The People

Today we celebrate the birthday of a hero in history who dreamed of a world where people were judged by the content of their character. This included a non-violent, peaceful place where people of every race and creed could live in harmony.

Do you have the courage to step up and take a stand to help realize MLK's dream even when nobody's looking and even if it might be risky to do so? I came across this thought-provoking clip recently and thought it perfect to celebrate MLK and reignite his plea for peace.

*Note: There is one "bleeped-out" word so it isn't appropriate for all audiences. Its impact might be greatest on those of us who are age-appropriate and have the opportunity to positively influence tomorrow's future by fostering the skills they need in order to be upstanders and step in to help the victims of bullying behaviors.

It might all boil down to the Golden Rule: Treat others the way that you want to be treated. I know which of the people in this clip I'd want want nearby if something like this were to happen to me.

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Samantha's Santa Song

Today I'm excited because we have early release and will launch our little angels into the winter break. I'm so ready for some rest and restoration! Activities this week included Polar Express Day, Pajama Day, a Choir Concert, a Band Concert, and Party Day. Exhausted but energized! 

Yesterday at one of the parties, my little Landon said, "Mrs. Gruener, your face is so pretty that it belongs on a Christmas card." Could a compliment get any better?

I'm also excited because the Corner was featured in this Top Ten Counseling Blogs list. What an honor to be among such great company. Thank you, Matt, for your kind words about my passion and work!

And yesterday I was invited to keynote the 2014 National Forum for the Character Education Partnership. Am I dreaming? But the dream doesn't come without a few butterflies because this is huge. 

A huge platform, 

a huge chance to make an impact, 

a huge opportunity to positively influence a lot of people.

So with those big announcements comes the chance to share Captain Courage and the World's Most Shocking Secret by Stacey A. Marshall.

As the curtain opens, the Principal at Blythe Elementary, Mr. Magico (aka Captain Courage), is having a nightmarish time on the stage at the school's talent show. As he awakes to realize it's only a dream, the reader gets a glimpse into the one thing that secretly scares him the most: performing in front of people.

In an interesting twist, this fearful main character is a leader at school who spends his time helping scaring away his students' fears. He even wears special fear-stomping shoes. Will his young friend Courageous Katie be able to successfully help him pull off a performance in his talent show debut?

At the book's end, the reader is treated to the author's formula for fighting fears (using the acronym BELLS) as well as some tips from Captain Courage, a booster shot for your confidence. 

Finally, I am excited about this clip of a solo performance by a Westwood alum who is now a senior in high school. We were treated to this song when our Hometown Heroes from the Friendswood High School Choir came to bring their choral Christmas greeting to us on Wednesday. I first got to know this songster when she was in second grade and having some normal eight-year-old anxiety and stress. You'd never know it now when you watch her perform with unbelievable confidence and poise. It is with pride and admiration that I share 

Samantha's Santa Song with you.

  

Bravery is a beautiful thing.

Whom will you encourage today?

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PPBF: The Band-Aid Chicken

Today I'm eggcited about this eggstraordinary PPBF pick. 

It's an oldie but a goodie, for sure.

I love the B&W copy, but a 2013 colored edition is also available.

Title: The Band-Aid Chicken

Author: Becky Henton

Illustrator: Harry Norcross

Publisher: Marco Products Inc.

Date: 1998 (1st edition)

Suitable for: ages 4-9

Fiction (based on real chicken pecking-order behavior)

Themes: acceptance, respect, courage 

Brief synopsis: When a new chicken is introduced into the yard, the other chickens peck on its head to show it who's boss. The Farmer notices the new chicken's bruises, puts a bandage on its head, and calls it The Band-Aid Chicken. Now a survivor of their initiation ritual, the Band-Aid Chicken must decide if it's going to do what the others did to it and peck on the next newbie.

Opening Pages: How many of you have ever been picked on? Did you know that there is a pecking order among chickens?

If a new chicken is brought into a group, the other chickens will peck on the new chicken to show it who is in charge. This can hurt or even kill the new chicken. 

This story is about a brave chicken who wanted the pecking to stop.

Isn't Henrietta AdOrAbLe? But don't call her a chicken - she prefers hen!

Resources: 
Get more info on the book and hen puppet from Marco {here}.
See how the Helpful Counselor uses the book {here}.
Check out the Sunset Ridge Counselor's post {here}.

Dance the Chicken Dance with my second graders:

Lyrics: If a bully bothers you,
and you don't know what to do
out at recess or in school,
talk, walk, then tell. (x4)

I'll be a buddy, not a bully,
I'll be a friend and take a stand.
I can swarm or go get a grown-up
so we can all lend a helping hand.

Compare and contrast with the following chicken-themed titles:

Why I like this book: Besides the fact that it was written by a counselor, I like this book because my kids like this book. They so readily connect pecking on with picking on and easily make the leap from the chicken coop to their classroom corral and from chickens to kids. I love the dilemma that the Band-Aid Chicken has when faced with whether or not to make a deal with the chickens whom she's dying to be friends with or to stand up to them and say no to hurtful, pecking behavior. 

This bucket was FULL of bandages before the lesson!

At the end of the lesson, we take the pledge in the back of the book to never peck pick on others and we seal the deal with a pillar-colored bandage that each student takes home as a visual reminder to never choose behaviors that might 
hurt someone's heart. Eggcellent life lesson.

For today's PPBF titles, visit Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.

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PPBF: Year Of The Jungle

I am so very excited about today's PPBF title that I can hardly stand it. I connected with it because my heart aches for the families of men and women who are called to serve in faraway lands and I'm thrilled to have found this sensitive personal narrative about that experience for my shelves. I've seen firsthand the emotional toll that having a deployed parent can take on a child. I've held many a child's hand as he/she worries and frets about how their parent is doing, where exactly they are, what they're eating, if they're safe, and when they'll be back home. And I've even heard them wonder out loud why their loved one 
had to go away in the first place.

Enter Year Of The Jungle by Suzanne Collins. 

Back in 1968, nobody really explained to little Suzy much about her dad going to 

a place called Viet Nam.

Title: Year Of The Jungle

Author: Suzanne Collins

Illustrator: James Proimos

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Date: September 10, 2013

Suitable for ages: 4 and up (I would cautiously say 7 and up)

Non-fiction

Themes: military, fear, courage

Brief synopsis: Based on the real-life experience of the author as an eight-year-old, this treasure explores the thoughts and feelings of a young child whose father is sent off to the jungle to something called a war.

Opening page: My dad reads me poems by a man named Ogden Nash. My favorite is about a dragon named Custard. Even though he always feels afraid, he is really the bravest of all. And that's what makes him special.

Resources:  

Watch a Scholastic interview with author & illustrator {here}.

Read a New York Times review {here}.

Grab some enrichment ideas from Common Sense Media {here}.
Read Nash's Tale Of Custard The Dragon {here}.
*Use this poem as an opportunity to discuss courage and bravery. 
Click {here} to watch Priority Mail, a news clip about helping military families.

Why I like this book: This book left me feeling so convicted about the phrase Freedom is not free! War leaves so much fallout, so many casualties - literally and figuratively - in its wake. In my son's confirmation class, I watched as an eighth-grade girl sobbed and physically trembled through her faith statement because of how it shakes her to the core each and every time her father deploys. 

In this picture book by the author of The Hunger Games, young Suzy starts out thinking it's kind of cool that her dad will be going to the jungle just like some of her favorite cartoon characters. She's even seen flying with her cat, smiles on their faces, over the ocean toward a friendly forest. But as the days turn into months and the seasons pass, postcards come fewer and farther between and Suzy's emotions vacillate from confused to worried to terrified. The illustrator does an amazing job conveying those changing feelings in his black and white jungle scenes with Suzy and the animals. And when Dad suddenly returns, Suzy must face the reality that 
"He is here but not here."

Pause. Breathe. Again.
I know, right?

Every year, we do something special for our servicemen and women. In the past five years, it's been not only a letter-writing campaign to send notes of gratitude during the holidays, but also a collection of basic-need items and some pamper-me things just for fun. 

Anyway, I especially love that elementary school children would work to earn the money that they'd need, then go shopping and buy these things for someone they'll likely never meet. 
To express gratitude and appreciation.

I hope this video clip works for you; this first grader actually did chores to earn money that she could shop with to pick out the stuff she wanted to bring. Can't you just feel her joy?

The past three years, we've also donated our surplus Trick-Or-Treat candy to the troops through Operation Gratitude. It's so gratifying to share our stash with those who serve.

As difficult as it is to do sometimes, we must make a point to stop and say thank you when we see a man or woman in a military uniform. And their families deserve our gratitude, too. Click the picture below to read about the surprise homecoming that this little one got from his father a few years back.

Finally, ask your students to put themselves in each of these character's shoes. What would it be like to be the dad? What kinds of things do you suppose he misses while he's away? Why is his face so distorted when he returns? What would it be like to be Suzy back then? How about now? What about the brother or sister? And the mom? And try to imagine being Rascal. 

There's so much more you could do with this new book. 
When you think of something else, 
I'd love for you to share your reflections below.

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