Lead Time

Our first year of implementing Leader In Me was exciting and could be felt, heard and seen throughout the building.  Staff was excited making the visible changes in our building.  Students were excited to have leadership roles.  All of us were learning the 7 habits together and implementing them in our own lives as well as in our classrooms and hallways.  The language of leadership was being heard in our school and our students were taking it to their homes.  Our students were presenting to the school board, and Leadership Day left us all in awe of our students.

This year we continue our implementation of Leader In Me and our pursuit of being a Lighthouse School.  However, we are faced with different challenges.  How do we maintain the same level of excitement when the changes aren't as drastic and noticeable?  How do we possibly duplicate last year's Leadership Day?  How do we move to a new level of implementation and higher understanding of the the Habits?  How do we continue the conversations with our students and in our homes and theirs?  I believe that although the change may not be as noticeable or as drastic in year two, the implementation and teaching of the 7 Habits has the potential to make life long impact on our students day by day and year by year.

When we chose to pursue Leader In Me at our school and implement the 7 Habits,  we knew this was not a one year and done "program".  We knew these skills and habits would be crucial for our kids and could make all the difference for them as they move beyond Parma Elementary School.  I remember our first meeting when we discussed whether or not this was something we wanted to pursue.   I remember the comments about this is why we all went into education.  We want our students to be productive, happy, successful.  For some of our kids, math may be their strength, for others it may be science or technology or reading or writing.  We want all of our students, regardless of their field, to be able to work with others, to problem solve and find a win win, to listen and seek to understand, to be in charge of their own lives and take responsibility, etc.

Seek 1st to Understand

We need to make sure our students continue getting lessons on the habits each week.  We need to make sure our students hear and understand the habits on a regular basis to the point that it just becomes part of our daily operation.  "Lead Time" in every classroom a couple times each week is one way to continue this conversation.  Lead time may be a story you read with your class or a video you watch that talks about one aspect of leadership or one of the 7 Habits.  This can be a 15 - 20 minutes blocked out in the day a couple times each week, but I believe it needs to be intentional.  This is a time when we are intentionally discussing Leadership and the 7 Habits.  I will continue doing this in assemblies as well.  I love the discussions we have after watching a video or reading a book on Wednesday mornings.  I know how powerful that conversation can be in your classroom.

The images on this blog are samples of some things you could read or talk about during a Lead Time lesson.  Stand In My Shoes is a great book to share with students and talk about seeking first to understand.  The circle of influence or control is a great discussion to have with students as they look at what is inside and outside their control.  What kind of person would our students choose to lead?  The picture of Stella at the top of this blog is one of my favorite pictures sent to me by her mom last year during spring break. She shared with me the history of this spot.  On the night of the MLKj assassination, RFK was in Indianapolis on a campaign stop. At this corner he got on the back of a flatbed truck and implored the people of Indianapolis to live the dream. To not react to the murder in violence but instead in peace. Indianapolis was one of the few major cities which 45 years ago today did not erupt in violence. MLKj and RFK working together one last time.  Stella's mom wrote to me, "This is what Leadership looks like. "  What a great conversation starter for some of our classrooms.

Check out the Leader in Me Online site for ideas for your classroom.  Look at pinterest.  Type in Leader In Me in google and then select images.  You will be amazed at how many ideas are out there.  Please share books, videos, ideas with each other as you find some that work well during Lead Time.  Let's keep the conversation going with our students as we continue to LEARN, LOVE and LEAD Together!

Articles Worth Reading and Links worth Checking out:

Teaching ideas and book lists from Acres Green Elementary

TLIM - Recommended Children's Reading List

Picture Book List to use with the 7 Habits

Pinterest - 7 Habits

Pinterest - 7 Habits of Happy Kids

Another Pinterest 7 Habits page

7 Habits Book List


Videos Worth Watching:

Great Synergy Video:  Our 3rd graders are working on this for Leadership Day.

"You want something....go get it....period!" - You are in charge of you!

A video about kindness.....

Proactive vs Reactive: