In Covid times we are all looking for wins. I had three this last week.
#1 I have been lucky enough to teach three of my sons in Leadership at Centennial. My youngest, Ben, is now in Gr 11 Leadership. We got to celebrate / promote #bekindyotes Pink Shirt Day together. He was dressed up pinktastic, handing out Dude Be Kind wristbands, and jamming to a pink playlist. This will make for a great picture at his wedding one day.
#2 J struggles with mental health issues. It was a huge leap for him to sign up for the Student Leadership class. For the first few days he did not speak a single word and stood to the side watching during ice breakers and team builders with his hood up and mask on. Then I had a J breakthrough. We were doing a poster project and I got him tracing and coloring a poster with another student. He then answered some questions I asked him. He answered and we had a conversation!!! I then went across the hall and got his program teacher to come look. We spied through the door without J seeing so as not to wreck it. His program teacher said that was the coolest thing she had seen in a week. I am now on a six class streak where we have at least a very brief conversation each day. A definite win.
#3 There was still 20 minutes left in my Sr. Leadership class. One kid started packing up and so of course they all start shutting down. I am about to try and get them back to work when I realize how much fun they are having interacting with each other. They are laughing, dancing to some music and having a great visit. No one was excluded. Probably the most important thing accomplished with that class this week. These moments are so much more precious in Covid times.
I’m a Podcast Guest – Bucket List Check
I had the opportunity to be a guest on The High Performing Educator Podcast with Sam Demma. I really enjoyed it. Give it a listen. I hope you enjoy https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/1/e/5/1e5eb1e9c4084074/Brent_Dickson_.mp3?c_id=95967470&cs_id=95967470&expiration=1614297332&hwt=cf9dc0a21cc0fae8d67448136b9b5d74
Class Activity Idea – Gratitude Chains
Share these quotes with your class
“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” Tecumseh
“No duty is more urgent than giving thanks.” James Allen
“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” Germany Kent
Ask the class why gratitude is so important? How can gratitude make the world better?
Have them get into groups of 3-5 people. They are going to make gratitude chains. They need at least 16 links on the chain. They can do more if they want. I have left 4 colors of paper on a table in the room and cut one paper into 4 strips as a demo. Each strip is a link in the chain.
1st on a scrap piece of paper they come up with the 20 things they are grateful for. Once they have shown them to you they get one sheet in each color – more if they have more than 16 things. They write one thing on each link that they are grateful for. They need to use a sharpie or felt. They link them together as a chain with alternating colors. They can staple them together or use green tape found in top drawer by the door. When they have all finished their chains have them share with the class what is on their chain.
To finish have them put their chains up with green tape on the wood big sliding door at the back of the room.
Look for the small wins in your life this week. The small ones can make the biggest difference. May you have many.
Looking for more Leadership ideas? Check out my past posts. It’s Gold Jerry! 🙂
Brent Dickson 