Something Extra In The Ordinary

Today as I mull over the word extraordinary, my Dad comes to mind.

Photo courtesy of Dan Hagenow Video Creation, LLC.

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PPBF: When You Dream Big!

I've always loved taking pictures of sleeping,

doesn't Everly look so comfy as she rests?

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PPBF: The Quickest Kid In Clarksville

Happy Friday; my retirement plant started blooming again this week, on the day that marked the anniversary of my decision to leave my school-house comfort zone and start my encore career, so it has me at once savoring and pondering. 

Can it really be that it's two years already? 

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PPBF: Maybe

Today I'm excited because PPBF is back

and we've got the perfect pick!

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PPBF: How To Catch A Star

Happy Friday; today's PPBF is already fifteen years old.

How is it that I've missed this growth-mindset text until now?

And Kohl's is currently selling them for five bucks!

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What Drives Your YET Goals?

Lately I've been thinking about growth mindset and 

the power of the word yet. A lot.

So I posted this invitation on the wall outside my office

for our school family to post our YET goals.

It looked kind of bare with just the word yet,

so I added these three action verbs:

Yearn.

Embrace.

Try.

It's really an adaptation of the domains of character:

Head ... cognitive domain ... yearn.

Heart ... affective domain ... embrace.

Hands ... behavioral domain ... try.

Do you have a YET goal?

What haven't you accomplished yet that you would like to attempt?

How will you get from here to there?

What steps will you need to take to arrive at your YET goal?

How will you know when you've arrived at your dream destination?

What drives your YET goal?

What's the why behind the dream?

How does naming the why propel the how?

Don't forget to keep a growth mindset

as you set and pursue your YET goals.

Focus on the process and celebrate the effort.

Don't let hurdles stop forward progress.

Go around.

Go through.

Go over.

Invite mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

Do whatever it takes to reach your YET goals.

Need more growth mindset inspiration?

Look at these beautiful notes from a passionate edu-hero

in the learning session I led last week in Angleton.

Let me know if you ever need a Mindset Matters workshop

and I'd be happy to customize one for your school family.

Read what blogger Barbara Bray has to say {here}.

Grow with Eduardo Briceno's reflections {here}.

Learn about the Benefit Mindset {here}.

Check out this Mindset Resource Round-up at Edutopia {here}.

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PPBF: Happy Dreamer

Happy St. Patrick's Day. First, I'm thankful for my Grandma Natzke, whose birthday we celebrate today even though she is no longer with us on earth. I miss her so much. She was such a kind, generous, gentle soul, a beautiful role model for me. I loved going to her house and being with her. She was a dreamer, she was always humming, and I wanted to grow up to be just like her.

Next, I'm excited because my Inspiring Integrity guest post is now live at Free Spirit Press blog; clicking on the image below will take you there. I continue to enjoy and be challenged by assignment writing.

Finally, today marks my return to PPBF and I've got the 

picture-perfect book pick for you, my dear reader.

Title: Happy Dreamer

Author & Illustrator: Peter H. Reynolds

Publisher: Orchard Books

Date: March 28, 2017

Suitable for grades: preK - 3rd (and beyond!)

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Dream big. Be true to yourself. Live happily.

Brief synopsis: This Peter H. Reynolds newcomer bids us dance with this adorable, free-spirited, energetic daydreaming child as he shares his Dream big and be happy mindset, mess and all, with the world.  

Opening thoughts: I am a HAPPY DREAMER. I'm really good at dreaming. Daydreams. BIG DREAMS. Little dreams. Creative Dreams. 

Resources: 

*A Comprehensive Happy Dreamer Teachers Toolkit {here}

*Author's Notes About The Book {here}

*A Kirkus Review {here}

*A podcast with the author about the book {here}

*A Publisher's Weekly Review {here}

Why I like this book: Beside the fact that I'm a huge Peter H. Reynolds fan, the fact that I, like Reynolds himself, might have some undiagnosed ADHD going on, and the fact that I received this beautiful book as a gift from a very special student, I really connect with the passionate dreamer in this child. Our minds often wander off the beaten path, our ideas are ignited by our imaginations, and our dreams make us feel like dancing, even when the world tells us to keep quiet, sit still and pay attention. We hear things differently, sometimes more loudly. We know that being a dreamer is messy (he calls it creative chaos) but we crave doing it anyway. (My favorite line: If you make me, I will put my things away. But then there is less ME to show.) We don't want to just show up, we want to sparkle and create. We embrace who we are because it feeds our emotions and makes us happy. 

This colorful masterpiece left me wanting more, especially after I opened up the double-paged, poster-sized spread in the back which invites its readers to figure out (and name) what kind of dreamers we are, the perfect springboard for a writing or drawing activity. Anyone feel like creating a Vision Board?

Grandma Natzke would have loved Happy Dreamer. 

Check it out; I think you'll be joyful that you did!

Then visit Susanna Hill's blog for today's other PPBF selections.  

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Empowering Empathy

Just before Thanksgiving break, our school staff took time out during a faculty meeting to share a little bit about our college colors to inspire out learners to 

dream big.

Here's how mine turned out.

So grateful to Karen S., who created and shared the template.

I'm super excited about how our display pops.

Tomorrow as we launch into our lessons about caring, 
we'll work on empowering empathy.

We're going to start by watching this film clip

without any sound. Just watch, not listen.

We'll talk about what they think happened and what they think about what happened. Then we'll watch it again, this time with audio.

After what I think will be a riveting discussion,

students will get to choose from the following activities in Social Stations, 
to get them stepping into another's shoes

and thinking about how certain situations feel, 

what they would want, 
what they might need to make it work.

We'll be building a huge figure 8 with Jenga blocks, blindfolded.

We'll be putting together a Scramble Square puzzle

without speaking to one another, silent.

We'll be playing catch in a circle

with our feet, no hands.
{See the orange ball in the air?}

We'll be writing notes to our President-elect

 
using our non-dominant hands.
It's super tricky to erase with only one hand available!

I'll have my copy of Hey, Little Ant in Latin out
and see who chooses to attempt language translation.

We'll be writing mirror-image messages about empathy.



And, in the end, I hope that we will have empowered empathy,
that glorious virtue that I firmly believe could be the change
for our superheroes and their future.
Click {here} for more empathy simulation ideas.

Check out these empathy posts for more empowerment:

Why Empathy Holds The Key 
This Is Your Brain On Empathy 
Empathy By The Book 
Teaching Kids Empathy In Denmark A Piece Of Cake

Oh, and if you haven't read UnSelfie by empathy expert Michele Borba yet, 
put that on your Christmas list today.

It has my enthusiastic endorsement.

  

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That's a Great Idea!

If only I had a quarter, a dime, no, a nickel for every time I've heard someone say "That's a great idea!" 
I really feel like I'd have a small fortune in the bank. 
My sister tells me the same thing. 
You see, we're idea people.

Sometimes the ideas are small and ordinary.
Other times they're ginormous and outlandish.

So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this treasure 
on the shelves at Barnes & Noble yesterday.
It addresses that very gift: ideas.
Ideas that intrigue.
Ideas that influence.
Ideas that inspire.
Ideas that irritate?  {Sometimes ...}
Ideas that initiate.
Ideas that innovate.
Ideas that improve.

What Do You Do With An Idea?

Masterfully written by Kobi Yamada

Creatively illustrated by Mae Besom

The little one in this whimsical tale gets an idea. 

But at first, "It seemed kind of strange and fragile." 

So the child ignores it, walks away from it,

and acts as if "it didn't belong to me."

You can probably predict with certainly

that the idea follows our narrator,

and you'd be right.

So that's all I'm going to tell you ...

to whet your appetite ...

because I think you'll want to learn

what to do with an idea

by reading this gem aloud with your next class family.

A few things you might want your idea magnets to notice:

*The feeling words, like fragile, magical, silly

Why is it sometimes hard to own our feelings?

What makes it difficult to share those feelings with others? 

*The color change from start to finish

When does it subtly start to happen?

What makes its intensity increase?

Why?

*The idea's values like purpose, persistence and perseverance

The perfect place to talk about personification.

*When the idea bursts opened and takes flight

Where's it going?

What must that feel like for the idea? 

For the child?

What's the end result?

Does that seem pie-in-the-sky?

Or possible?

Hey, I have an idea ...

I think I'll use this one in my opening peace class

when school's back in session.

I cannot wait to see where my peacemakers 

take this creative metaphor.

Then I just might suggest that they draw one of their ideas.
To give it a size, a shape, some sizzle.
Or paint its picture with sparkle words.
Or write it out as a limerick or riddle. 

Is that a great idea, or what?

{And, just to be clear, I wouldn't take a nickel for that one,
because it was me saying it ... }

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This Is It

Today I'm delighted because this is it, 

the day that my book gets delivered to my door.

Well over a thousand of them. 2500 copies actually.

I can't wait to see it in real life.

What's Under Your Cape? SUPERHEROES of the Character Kind
is a character-education reference book, 
sort of a best of the blog infused with new content, of course.
It includes stories and strategies designed to help you help your
SUPERHEROES soar.

My family and I be working to market these books.
Here are the envelopes for my first batch 
to make their way into the world in this evening's mail.

Do you see yours?
We've started Facebook and Pinterest pages 

to help pique interest in my new release,
so please visit those and help spread the word.
We've set the launch for June 10th from 5-8 pm
at Dunn Bros. Coffee, so if you're in the area, please come by; our first twenty customers will receive a free drink coupon.
My friend Rebecca is helping us plan the event, for which I'm so grateful. I'm also thankful to my editor, Kris Yankee, and my publisher, Marian Nelson, for all of their encouragement and support.

Don't forget that you can sign up for your chance 
to win a copy over at Really Good Stuff's blog {here}.

Of course I plan to continue blogging, though I'm not certain

I can keep up the pace of every day ... we'll see.

There'll be workshops with book signings between now and Halloween in 

St. Louis, Milwaukee, San Diego, Santa Barbara, 

San Antonio, McKinney, Mansfield, Denver, and Washington, D.C.

so if you're nearby, please let me know so we can meet.
Thank you for sharing in our excitement!

Here now, an excerpt from Chapter 5.

R is for Respect

It’s golden; treat others the way you want to be treated, the essence of the value of respect. You’ve got to give it to get it. It’s circular that way; get it? What the rule doesn’t do is work backward, in retribution: You treated me badly so I’m going to treat you badly now. We must teach our superheroes what respect looks like so they can imitate it.

And before our littlest learners understand respect, we must pair tangible behaviors with our abstract words. We need to show them how respect looks, sounds, and feels through modeling, seizing teachable moments, pointing out respect when we see it, and giving students many, many opportunities to practice their courtesy, manners, and kindness. Think about how we learned to say “please.” When we’re learning about the power of language and we have a request, adults in our lives will ask, “What’s the magic word?” It’s an if-then situation. If you say “please,” then you typically get what you want. Over time, a pause replaces the question. And before long, no pause required. We move from knowing it to loving it to doing it.

When it moves from cognitive to affective and we feel it, then it starts to become real. But respect won’t happen in isolation; it happens when we witness and experience it in action. When we weave it as a habit into our daily routines and are able to show it authentically in real-life situations, then it’s a part of who we are and how we behave.

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PPBF: Dream

Today I'm delighted to share that one of my childhood dreams - to publish a book - is about to become a reality with the release of 

What's Under Your Cape? SUPERHEROES of the Character Kind, 

expected to ship next week.

My beautiful friend, the talented author Maria Dismondy,

has invited me to share my thoughts about

this writing experience at her blog today!

Click {here} to read it and to sign up for your chance to win one of three signed copies for your collection.

You can also order yours from my blog.

Thank you for sharing in my excitement.

So today's PPBF is about dreaming.

Title: DREAM - A Tale of Wonder, Wisdom & Wishes

Author: Susan V. Bosak

With original illustrations by 15 internationally acclaimed artistsPublisher: TCP Press

Date: October 1, 2004

Suitable for ages: 4 and up (My thoughts? 7 and up)

Themes: dreams, goals, hope

Realistic Fiction

Brief synopsis: Journey page-by-page through this poetic reflection of a life well-lived in which dreams are dreamed and wishes become realities. 

Opening pages: 

I STARTED OUT JUST LIKE YOU. 

Once, long ago when all the stars were born, I was a baby. My favorite color was yellow, the color of the sun that peeked in my window in the morning. 

When you're a baby, you're cuddled and comforted in your own cozy little world. You smile and gurgle and fuss and cry and get fed and need changing and sleep and dream. 

DREAM A DREAM WITH ME.

"We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time."

~T.S. Elliot

Resources:

Find activities for the book {here}. 
Replicate this Be A Dreamer door decor.
Listen to and discuss the lyrics to the song Dream Big.
Got paper plates and yarn? Make Dream Catchers!
Enjoy Failure's A Myth by the Happy Racers:

Click this bulletin board for a review of the book 
Dream Big. Little Pig by Kristi Yamaguchi.

Why I like this book: This nice compilation of world-renowned illustrators beautifully enhance this poetic piece of realistic fiction about dreaming. We must encourage our students to dream big early and often, all the while sharing our stories of success as well as of failure so that they learn that sometimes we have to alter (or wait on) our dreams, but to never, ever give up.

To dream.

And to dream BIG.

To soar through the sky

by leaps and bounds.

Because dreams do come true.

Use the quotes on each page as inspiration

by discussing them in morning meeting or

using them as reflective journal entry prompts.

Ask students to share their dreams.

List them on an anchor chart labeled Our Dreams.

Invite them to start planning:

What's it going to take to get where you're hoping to go?

What will it be like when you get there?

What will you do once you've realized your dream?

Remind them that the dream starts now.

Be there to cheer them on if their momentum starts to wane.

Encourage them to track their progress.

Comfort their setbacks.

Support their successes.

Then you just might want to step out of their way ...

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

 she's just back from an dreamy school visit and has a fun story to share.

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When The World Says No

Tonight I'm excited because we had such a fun time hosting twenty educators from Ross Elementary, a school down the road in a neighboring district, who were checking out our character climate. Several of them sat in on a peace class with me and my second graders and I was so, so proud of those peacemakers who just went on doing what they do while sharing the room with our visitors, 
no questions asked. 

I just love helping school families as they embark on their trip

down Character Road, especially when they're as eager and enthusiastic as these teachers and administrators are. It was a win-win, really, because as we helped to jumpstart their journey, my battery was totally recharged and 
I fell in love with my school all over again.

Speaking of batteries, have you seen this Duracell commercial? It features Seattle Seahawks Fullback Derrick Coleman, an athlete who, despite his deafness, persevered through overwhelming obstacles and odds to play in the NFL. 
Click {here} to read his story.

Two points that this young man makes that really resonated with me are that he was "picked on and picked last" and that when people told him it couldn't be done, "I've been deaf since I was three, so I didn't listen." 
He didn't listen, and he didn't quit.

Just this morning on my way to school I was thinking about the saying about the difference between a goal and a dream is a plan. What I might add to that is that you need some passion and some people to support you as you work to achieve those goals and dreams. Derrick Coleman had a plan and he didn't let naysayers get in the way of his goals or his dreams. What an inspiration.

May we never be dream squashers!

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In My Dreams

This week, we are baking and packing up homemade goodness to send to our troops as a Thanksgiving treat. From Texas with love. 

My job was sweet and smelled yummy yesterday!

♥

Notes.

Fudge.

Brownies.

Ginger Snaps.

Sugar Cookies.

Rice Crispy Treats.

Peanut Butter Cookies.

Snickerdoodle Cookies.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.

White Chunk Macadamia Nut.

Blackberry White Chocolate Bars.

16 boxes.

One more day.

That means I get to do it again today.

Honor our heroes.

We've partnered with the Friendswood Rotary

to get at least 33 boxes shipped. After that,

families Adopt-A-Box to defray the

fifteen dollars that each box costs.

In my dreams, I never thought we'd still have soldiers overseas.

We are grateful for them and will never forget. And in my dreams, I never thought I'd work with such a generous school family and community. Sixteen boxes equals approximately 160 dozen, give or take a few, and we're not done yet. Our boxes are headed to Germany, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and who knows where else. All with our thanks and prayers for a safe return.

This year in my nighttime dreams, I'm fighting to stay alive, just like they. Since my head-on collision, I've been almost killed many times (in my dreams) and it's frightening. Over and over again. But then I think about their reality and I know that I can manage my night terrors that undoubtedly pale in comparison to what our heroes are living every day. 

For me. For us.

And never in my dreams did I think that I'd actually send off a signed contract to a publisher who wants to help me get a character book on the market. It was actually something I'd thought about, but I'd never let it be a dream. Because I was afraid. To fail, I suppose. Anyway, in October I got this email from a cyberspace friend quite out of the blue, with the single word Promise in the subject line:

Can you promise me one day when you consolidate all of your amazing posts into your future best-selling book that I can get a signed copy? Your posts belong on a bookshelf as well as your blog, especially in libraries everywhere. Dream big, God has incredible plans for you. Love you sweet friend, Tamara 

Keep in mind that I've never met this sweet friend in person, but she's certainly got the gift of encouragement, doesn't she? I was understandably on Cloud 9 from her affirmations and confidence in me, yet still not sure that there'd ever be a book.

But she planted a seed and today, just a month and a half later, I'm excited to share that I'm writing a book. 

There, I said it.

♥

 I'm

Writing.

My book.  

It's like a dream.

Only it's coming true.

Doesn't seem real, really.

More details as they unfold.

Pinch me.

Am I dreaming?

I'm so grateful that you're in this dream with me.

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