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5 Bucket Filler Ideas for Elementary Teachers (Grades 1-5) in 2024

Kindness is not part of our academic standards; however, it is so important to designate time to teach students about this concept. One way to do this is to teach students to become “bucket fillers.” The idea of bucket fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton’s metaphor of the bucket and the dipper and there are several books available to compliment this idea. The most popular example is Carol McCloud’s Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Happiness for Kids. Read below to get bucket filler ideas and learn how you can implement this concept in your elementary classroom.

How to Teach Students to be Bucket Fillers

Below are ideas for how to teach students to be bucket fillers and, as a result, create a classroom community rooted in kindness.

1. Read Aloud Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

The idea of bucket fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton’s metaphor of the bucket and the dipper and there are several books available to compliment this idea. The most popular example is Carol McCloud’s Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Happiness for Kids. Check out the book below!

2. Discuss the Meaning of Bucket Filler

The idea is simple: We all carry around an invisible bucket. When our bucket is full, we feel great. To honor this idea teachers are creating displays of tangible buckets and encouraging their students to fill the buckets of others with kind words and gestures.

3. Create a Bucket Filler Anchor Chart

Make an anchor chart that illustrates the difference between a bucket filler and a bucket dipper like the one shown below. Post it in your classroom so you can refer to it as needed.

4. Track How Many Times Students Fill a Bucket

Provide each student with a class list and columns to make check marks to track the buckets they have filled. This helps it stay on top of mind.

5. Incorporate the Concept into Writing Time

Deliver mini-lessons modeling how to properly write a complimentary note to someone. Offer materials in your writing center to encourage your friends to write compliments.

In closing, we hope you found these bucket filler ideas helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these posts:

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