How Full is Your Bucket?

Whenever I give a presentation, I walk out of the meeting thinking about all the things I forgot to mention.

The bucket presentation was no exception.  Some stuff I left out:

• Since presenting the bucket idea, I check back with the kids every so often.  I don't want to oversell it, but I do want to try to make it a habit.  When I see a kid so something noteworthy, I mention it to the whole class and "bucket filling" and "bucket dipping" are part of my PE vocabulary
  
• After starting with the "hello" bit, I told the kids that it wasn't just what they said, but what they did and that actions were sometimes more powerful than words
  
• Before our first competitive unit of the year (Speedball), I talked about how players at at their best when their buckets are full.  I asked the kids how they would fill others' buckets during competition.  Here are some of the answers they gave me:
  
• When someone makes a mistake- say "it's okay" or "nice try"- then give them another chance 
• Say "nice play" whenever somebody, no matter which team, does something good.
• To the opposing team, win or lose:  shake hands and say "good game"  
• Give everyone a chance to play every position

It's easy to say such things when asked, but the kids actually went out and did everything they said they would.  I just completed the best flag football unit I've ever taught.  Its success was due mostly to the support the kids gave each other.

The kids have become really good at is sharing and complementing each others' work.  It hasn't been perfect, for we have some sneaky bullying going on, but all in all the kids are doing a phenomenal job.