Lead Time

I love that this year our school has decided to focus on our Lead Time in class.  One might wonder when in the world will or can we find the time to fit in these lessons.  When I consider the lessons taught and the discussions I have heard in some of our classrooms during Lead Time, I'm not sure how we could consider not "finding time" to do them.  These are powerful lessons centered around the 7 Habits, kindness, character, thoughtfulness, giving, caring, leadership, success, believing in
yourself, etc.  We have to have these conversations and teach these lessons to our kids.  Being successful in math or science only touches the surface of helping our kids be everything they can be.  Lead Time lessons help us dig a little deeper.  Teaching our kids how to treat others, how to not only be successful but how to respond when they are not, how to be proactive and the importance of finding a win win.....these are the skills that will also help our kids be truly successful.

Our school has decided to connect the idea of "One Book, One School" to our Lead Time Lessons.  Each month every classroom will be given two books to read in classrooms (okay, so it's two books, one school) with a sheet of ideas for discussions.  September's focus is on being proactive, and the books, Journey and I want my Hat Back, give us the opportunity to have many great discussions with our kids, and they give us a common topic throughout our school.  I love that I can talk to a first grader or a fifth grader about what their Journey will be this year.  We have planned a wall to collectively display our thoughts and ideas about these discussions.  What a great way to unite our entire school and share our learning with each other.

As we incorporate Lead Time lessons in every classroom, don't forget the importance of incorporating these lessons in our own lives.  Being proactive and not reactive, having a plan, choosing our weather, realizing our circle of control and influence, all of these are things that we can certainly model for our students and will benefit our own lives.

Below are a few videos that could be used during Lead Time.  The story that goes with the first video is amazing.  It is a great lesson on choosing your own weather.  Please take some time to watch them, share them with your students and discover the lessons.

Videos Worth Watching:

Be Proactive - A song about bullying - Standing up for yourself - Choosing your own weather - Kindness

Choose Your Attitude - Choose Your Weather!

Synergy - The Power of Union is Strength:  Working together!

Good Teamwork and Bad Teamwork:  This video could also be used to discuss how we treat others who aren't exactly like us.

Even though the language is different, the message can be seen in understanding others and having compassion.  The best way to have a Win-Win is to have a caring heart in how we treat others.

No Excuses - Raise the Bar High!!!

Be Proactive - The power of Positive Thinking - Choose your attitude, your weather!

Begin With The End In Mind - Don't Give Up

Have A Plan:  The Berenstain Bears Go Up and Down, Part 1

The Berenstain Bears Go Up and Down, Part 2:

#ParmaSTRONG

The beginning of a new school year is always an exciting time.  We have the chance to put into practice new ideas and strategies and to refine and master old ones.  Most importantly it is the beginning of building relationships that last a lifetime and impact everything!  Think about your class last year on the first day of school.  Now remember that same group of students at the end of the year. Magic happens between tomorrow, our first day of school, and June.  A list of names on a class list become "my kids", "our kids".  Though we do many things well at Parma Elementary, it is the development of strong relationships with our students that I feel we do best!

 Richard Elmore. "The relationship of the teacher and the student in the presence of content must be at the center of efforts to improve performance."

I am excited to see this year unfold as we explore the greatness in every child at Parma.  We will have students who need extra encouraging, extra nurturing.  We will have students who take a little longer to realize that they truly matter to us.  Some find it harder to believe than others, and some actually fight it.  This is what I know because I have watched it happen year after year within our school walls; every child will know he or she matters to us and that he or she has qualities of leadership and greatness by the year's end.  This takes ALL of us.  Our strength is in knowing this and working together to reach every child.  We are #ParmaSTRONG!

Tomorrow begins a journey that on paper ends in June, but we know what happens this year will last a lifetime and yes, it impacts everything.  I'm excited to be with you on this journey!

These are our kids.  They are all our kids.  And we will make all the difference for them. Nobody does it better!

Articles Worth Reading and Links worth Checking out:

Behavior Management: Not Systems but Relationships

7 Learning Zones Every Classroom Must Have

Why I don't Do Behavior Charts

10 Ways to Ensure Parents won't need to ask What Did you Do at School Today

10 Picture Books My Students Say You Need - +Pernille Ripp 

Building Relationships with Students

Videos Worth Watching:

Rita Pierson - Every Child Needs a Champion

What Great Teachers Do Differently - Part One

Teacher Motivation - +Justin Tarte 

Freedom Writers - I am Home