BUCKET FILLERS

The idea of Bucket Fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton's metaphor of the bucket and the dipper. The first person to bring this idea to a school setting was "The Bucket Man", Merrill Lundgren.

Several books have been written about bucket fillers. Carol McCloud wrote a book called "Have You Filled A Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids)". The premise of the book is the idea that we all carry an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. When our bucket is full, we feel great. When our bucket is empty, we feel sad. A bucket filler is someone who says or does nice things for other people. By doing this, they are filling other people's buckets and filling their own bucket at the same time.

On the other hand, a bucket dipper says or does things to cause other people to feel bad. A bucket dipper empties their bucket when they say and do mean things.

In our classroom, each student has a bucket on our Bucket Filler bulletin board. Everyone is encouraged to fill the buckets by writing kind words and compliments to each other. At the end of the week, we empty the buckets and read the nice things our friends left for us when they filled our buckets.

Another book was written by the Bucket Man's daughter, Stacey Lundgren. "True Bucketfilling Stories: Legacies of Love."  It is a collection of ten true short stories of bucketfilling, and is intended for children age 9-12.

QUESTIONS ABOUT BUCKET FILLERS

Question: Where can I find a copy of a bucket filler book?

Answer: Check Amazon.com. I bought one copy of "Have You Filled A Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids)" by Carol McCloud but found that my students were constantly reading it so I ordered more. "True Bucketfilling Stories:Legacies of Love" by Stacey Lundgren is also available on Amazon.com.

Question: What kind of notes do the kids write to each other?

Answer: We use a Bucket Filler form to keep things simple and to the point. Since the object of filling buckets is to put a smile on someone's face, keeping things simple fills my bucket!

Question: How do you handle the possibility that someone's bucket might not get filled?

Answer: When we started the program the class talked about the fact that there may be a time when all the buckets may not be filled. Everyone agreed that they need to take time to fill buckets, and HOPE that their bucket gets filled. We continue to talk about how they should not expect buckets to be filled every week.

To keep track of which buckets they have filled, I gave each student a list of the kids in our class. The list is just like the a page in my grade book, except it has only first names. As students fill buckets, they check off the names on the list. Since there are 10 columns on this page it will last for a while.

I encourage everyone to fill a bucket for someone they don't typically spend much time with. Bringing a smile to someone's face is a simple way to be a bucket filler. I also check buckets on Thursday to see if any may be in need of some special attention.

Question: What do you use for the buckets?

Answer: I started with a paper bucket that each student decorated. I stapled it to a plastic cup and hung the cups on the bulletin board. This worked fine but I decided to go for real buckets. Walmart (craft section) has small metal buckets for 97¢ each. I used part of a teacher gift card to buy them for the class. I wrote our names on labels so I can use the buckets with future classes. I nailed the buckets to the bulletin board. They look nice and are more sturdy than the cups.

You can also use library pockets that are available at teacher supply stores. If you attach the bucket pictures to the pocket you can hang them by magnet or staples depending on where you are going to display your board.

Another idea is to use a shoe organizer, the vinyl kind that hangs on a closet door. You can attach the bucket pictures to the pockets and hang the organizer on a door or staple it to a wall in your room. You can also cut the shoe rack and staple it under the chalk board at the front of your room if you are trying to find a little extra space to do this project.

Question: Are there rules for filling the buckets?

Answer: You definitely need to set up your guidelines for filling buckets. First off, no peeking! Since the buckets need to be accessible for students to deliver their notes, they can also look inside and see what's in there. I tell my students if I see them looking into any buckets, theirs or anyone else's, I might have to take down the buckets and we will stop the program.

On Friday afternoons I call students up to collect their notes. What's inside their bucket is personal business and should not be shared with anyone. We discuss what is and what is not acceptable for a bucket note. All notes must be positive and make someone smile.

Question: Do you have a teacher bucket?

Answer: Yes, I have a bucket, and just like the kids, I hope it is filled every week.

Question: How did you come up with all this stuff?

Answer: I didn't make up this program so I need to give credit where credit is due and that means Mrs. Walker's Frog-tastic Website. I was searching the internet for character development programs and stumbled across Bucket Fillers.

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BUCKET FILLER FORMS & CLIP ART

• Bucket Filler Form

• Bucket Filler Bulletin Board Letters

• Bucket Filler Clip Art

• Paper Bucket

• Book Cover