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Acts of kindness are perfect for Christmas time. Often at Christmas time, there can be a tendency to think about all the things that we want. We are often asked the question, "What are you asking Santa for?" or "What do you have on your Christmas wish list?" or some other similar type of questions. It isn't wrong to want things or to hope for certain things, but Christmas is a great time to be thinking about what we can do for others too.  There is a sense of joy and fulfillment that can come from thinking of others and giving to others. It is important to teach others that giving is an important part of Christmas. Doing random acts of kindness has the power to give joy to others and help make the world a better place. These acts do not have to be expensive or difficult to do. They just have to come from the heart.  During my last year of teaching, I created a set of cards for my students to use for Christmas and we called them RACK. (Random Acts of Christmas Kindness) Each child was given a few cards to take home and use as a countdown to Christmas. They had choices provided as samples of what they could do, but they also had the option to do something else that they decided on. It was exciting to hear some of the things they did as they took on this challenge.
I hope you find this free resource useful. Click on the image to get your copy.   Related Posts
Simple acts of kindness can change people's lives. I believe that when we have an attitude of gratitude, we are more likely to experience the blessings life has to offer. At this time of the year, I like to focus on giving and being kind. It is so easy for children to get caught up in the commercialism of advertising with Christmas just around the corner. It is important that they think about giving instead of all the things they would like to have.  When I was still teaching, I shared with my class the concept of paying it forward when we talked about peace and veterans and all they gave for our freedom. I created a paying it forward poster using poppies to show how quickly this could explode.  When I saw this video I immediately thought about how it showed examples of paying it forward with simple acts of kindness. I shared it with my students and we discussed how it takes so little to make a difference. It costs so little, but it pays big dividends.  More Videos of Kindness Here are some more video clips that share acts of kindness and the impact they can have. I shared these with my students as well and it was amazing to see the impact it had on them.    I also spent time working on the concept of bucket filling and creating positive self esteem with my classes. This helped them to understand the importance of being kind to one another. As we think about each other and how special we are, we can help make other people feel special too. Here is a great video that shares this idea. My kids loved singing along with it.  Here is a copy of my paying it forward poster using children instead of poppies. I hope you will find it helpful in sharing the idea of giving and sharing during this season and all year round.   Positive self esteem is so important when developing self confidence and a positive outlook on the world. Many people are living in situations that could lead to feeling negative or not valued. It is our job as teachers to help them see that they are valued and important and that they have much to contribute to the world around them.  Environment is not the only thing that can impact self esteem. Some people have many opportunities and resources available to them, but they don't see them in a positive light. We need to help them see that they have much to be thankful for and show them ways that they can be optimistic instead of pessimistic about their lives. This is an ongoing thing that we need to work on. These are two reminders for me that hang on the wall of my office at home.
Nobody knows what is going on in the thoughts and lives of others. We must try to help everyone to see that they are valuable members of our communities, classrooms, and families. Changing attitudes makes a world of difference.  Attitude Is Everything Years ago I read a book about attitude being everything. That stuck with me. I even have a hat that says the same thing on it. I remember that being a motto that I took into my classroom and shared with my students. I began teaching lessons on optimism to them and I spent a great deal of time my first few weeks of school focusing on self esteem and acts of kindness. It was amazing to see how it transformed the atmosphere of my classroom.  Tigger and Eeyore were a great resource for teaching the difference between the two attitudes. Although Eeyore is a lovable creature, he see the world in a pessimistic way and finds it hard to find joy. Tigger, on the other hand is full of optimism and sees joy in most everything. We don't have to be bouncing off the walls to have a positive outlook on the world, but it is important to see the joy instead of all the negatives.  I created some task cards to help my students to think about how they could react either as an optimist or a pessimist in situations. We then discussed how that could change the way the day went. As they began to see the positive changes that could result, they started to look at life in a more positive manner. I created these in 3 different themes so that they could be used in a variety of situations depending on who was using them. You can check the others out here. I would like to give a free set of the smiles/frown edition to any of my email subscribers. If you are not one yet, you can click the button below to subscribe and get your free copy. For those who are already subscribers, you can access your copy on the free resources page above.  Click the image to get your free copy Thank you for stopping by. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. I hope you have a positive year.   When returning back to school, building relationships with our students, either in person, or virtually, is key to having a successful year. People are emotional creatures and they need to know they are cared about and valued. It is important to build a foundation of trust and respect with our students and their parents so that we can work successfully together. Check out this post for some tips for getting to know your students.  Developing a good working relationship with our colleagues is also very important. We need to feel that others are there for us when we have difficulties, to support us, and even to be our cheerleaders. We also need to be there for others when they are struggling and to celebrate with them when breakthroughs happen or special moments happen.  This year, it is especially key for a successful year. There are so many stressed out teachers, co-workers, parents, and children because of all the unknowns with the pandemic. There are so many unanswered questions. Here are just a few of the ones floating around.  Teachers: What is my classroom going to look like? How am I going to ensure that social distancing happens? How do I engage my students when they are not able to work together and share materials? How do I find a balance between in person and online teaching/learning? What resources will I need to make this happen? How do I help my students feel like they belong and they are important? How do I keep everyone safe?  Students: Will I be able to play with my friends? How will I be able to get help when I don't understand? Do I need to wear a mask all day? What happens when I need to go to the bathroom? What if I get too close to others or I forget to leave space? What if I can't remember all the rules? Who will help me if I need it? Will my teacher and classmates like me?  Parents: Should I send my child to school or home school? Will my child be safe? How will I be able to help if I keep my child home? How do I prepare my child for what to expect at school? What are they doing to ensure social distancing and a clean environment? Is it better for my child's mental health to go to school or stay home? How can I support my child and the teacher?
Safety seems to be the number one thing that concerns everyone. It is important that protocols be in place to ensure the safety of everyone as we navigate through this new way of learning. Working together we can make this happen. I don't know if anyone has the answers to all these questions, but I do know that we all want what is best for the emotional and physical well-being of those involved.  We need to focus on some of the positives of being together again. Anxiety only increases stress. Try to enjoy being together. Find ways to build those relationships and have a successful year. Here are some tips that still hold true even with the unusual year we are about to begin. I wish you all the best as we navigate this school year together. Stay safe, stay calm, and have fun.  Related Posts
A Different Kind Of SummerSummer is here and this is usually the time for picnics, barbecues, family and friends gatherings. Because of the pandemic, things are definitely not the same. instead, we have to monitor who we visit, how we visit, and where we visit. Even the smallest group of people could be at risk if we don't take precautions. This is enough to create a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. People are social creatures and it is difficult to isolate oneself and have minimal contact with others.  Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself as you prepare for Back to School.  As we approach the end of July, some teachers are already making plans to head back into school. Others are still about 6 weeks away. The uncertainty this year is creating added stress for teachers, parents, and even children. No one knows what to expect.  Self Care Is ImportantSelf care is really important now. If we want to be able to help our students through this, we need to take care of ourselves first. Take time now to do things to relax and refresh your spirit. Go for walks, explore nature, read books, do a craft or hobby. Do something for yourself. You deserve it. Don't feel guilty about it either. If you don't take care of yourself and add some positive moments to your day, you will not be able to recharge and stay healthy.  Stop focusing on the news about the pandemic and all the worries of what it will be like when you go back to school. I know this is easy to say, but it is important to do. Negativity builds more negativity and this leads to worry and anxiety. Stress is bad for your health. We have so much negativity around us right now that it is easy to get caught up in it and sometimes it is difficult to get out. We need to protect ourselves from this.  It may seem difficult at the moment, but try to focus on some positive things that are happening because of the pandemic. Many people are getting a chance to spend some time with their children or parents because they are home instead of running around trying to get through life. As my husband and I go for walks each day, we notice many people taking time to work on their gardens, or do some renovations that have been on hold for awhile. People are keeping their distance, but still saying hello and waving as they pass others along the way. Many people are getting outdoors and enjoying the summer weather, but in a different way.  Teachers, parents and children are stressed out from the online learning this spring, the uncertainty about school re-opening and what it will look like, and the worry surrounding the virus. It is so important that everyone do things to de-stress. For each person it will be different. Perhaps families should discuss what they think might help in their situations. Teachers can find support with their families or colleagues. Whatever it takes, find ways to enjoy life and de-stress.  We often feel guilty when we do things for ourselves. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. We need to take care of ourselves in order to give our best to others.  I hope you find these tips helpful and that will have a happy and successful year with your students. I would love to hear from you. If you have any things that you would like to share or add to this list, leave a comment below.  I would love to be able to connect further with you through email and blog updates. If you are interested in joining my email list, I have a special gift for you. Click on the image to get your copy. This is a set of calming strategy posters that may be helpful when your students are stressed out. They will also work for adults!  Related Posts
This is an update to a previous blog post. I feel it is still relevant today so I am re-sharing it. Building Relationships is one of the most important things we can do when we get our new students. We need to help them to understand that we are there for them, we care about them, and we want them to be successful. I feel that this is crucial for a successful year. Team building and getting to know each other is essential. Everyone will do this in different ways depending on their personalities and interests, but that is okay. It helps with learning to accept uniqueness and diversity.  Getting to know your students is very important. Who better to ask than the parents. Every year I send home a form called "Getting Acquainted". It is a way for parents to share some insights about their child and the family. Since so many parents are now working, it is harder to have face to face conversations with them. They want to be involved in their child's learning, but sometimes we have to be more creative to make sure this happens. It is important to keep the lines of communication open so that we can have the frank conversations when necessary. I believe that each day is a fresh start, so if I can focus on what is right in the classroom and help my students to do the same, this can be communicated to the family through notes, phone calls, or face to face conversations when possible. Often parents will ask what they can do at home to help support the learning that is happening at school. I believe that the best way to help is to read with their child and give them lots of real life experiences that use the skills and concepts taught. I send home a paper that explains how to go about doing Home Reading so that it can be effectively done and a positive experience for everyone. It is amazing how stressful home reading can be in some homes otherwise. Here are samples from my letters. These are also available in my Back to School Start Up Forms package.
Maintaining a positive relationship with support staff is also very important. They can be great allies throughout the year. We need to help them to feel appreciated for all that they do. Sometimes they can feel like they are taken for granted and a smile or a friendly comment can make their day. A special note also makes them feel special.   I just love the characters from Winnie the Pooh. The stories are whimsical but they are full of truths. I was looking at my stuffed characters that I have for my grandchildren and I decided I had to create some posters to share some of the well-known quotes that are part of the stories.  Piglet warms my heart with all that he shares and the wonder he sees in life. He may be small, but he definitely fills the heart with love.  What a boring world it would be if everyone was the same. Different doesn't mean bad, and it is important that we see the value in our uniqueness. Eeyore would not be Eeyore if he didn't see the other side of things first.  Tigger is so bouncy he is hard to miss. He has a big presence and he is able to add energy to every situation.  This is one of my favorites. Pooh says it best: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." What a powerful thing to share with others.  Click here or on the image above to get all 16 free posters. I hope you enjoy them and that they bring you smiles and happy thoughts. 
Summer is a great time for sports. The weather is warm, the days are long, and many people have more time to participate in sports activities. At this time of the year many people are focusing on world sports events as well.
We need to help children understand that there is something out there for everyone. They just need to step out and give it a try. This can apply to adults too. 
This is one of my favorite posters. I refer to it often as we focus on building class community and positive self-esteem. I feel it is important to help children understand that everyone was a beginner at some point. This is not an obvious thing for them and they often get discouraged when starting new ventures because they don't always succeed at first. Once they understand this idea, they are more willing to keep trying. They then develop the skills needed to be successful.
When participating in team sports activities, it is important to be a good team player. Everyone has a role on the team and when the team works well together, success usually results. It isn't all about winning, but about being able to say you did your best and you supported your team well. You need to figure out what your role is and then learn to be effective in it. Children will often need some guidance in learning about these roles and how to do them well.
Some sports are individual sports. These sports can also have a team element, but they are usually more focused on individual performance. Personal goals become the focus as athletes work on developing skills and achieving their personal bests. Although there is a competitive component, the real opponent is yourself as you try to outdo what you have done in the past. Striving to do your best becomes the motivator.
It is important to remember to keep a fun element in what you are doing. I remember attending many swim meets, track meets, and soccer games as my children were growing up and it was great to see them excelling, but it was even more gratifying to see them interacting with their teammates and developing friendships with other athletes. Supporting teammates and other athletes in their high moments and in their defeats became more obvious as time went on. It was interesting to hear my daughter comment the other day about how the best part of the meets was hanging out with the other athletes.
In the classroom, teamwork is important as well. If the group works well as a team, then success is bound to be a product of the performance. Of course there will be times when someone drops the baton or slips up, but a good team will rally around that situation and carry on.
We as teachers need to help children to develop good team skills and support them when they do slip up. We need to provide them with the tools to be good team players and good sports. This will allow them to soar in a competitive world. When they fall, they will be able to pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and continue on. Minor setbacks will be part of growing and developing rather than failures that prevent them from moving forward.
As you begin a new school year, I wish you many happy times as your students grow and become awesome team members. Here's to a very successful year!
We're Going Back To School Soon
Yikes! Not already!
Summer is going by so quickly. It's hard to believe that we are already into the second half of July. Some people are preparing to return to school in a couple of weeks while others just began their holidays a couple of weeks ago. 
Teachers may be taking a break from the classroom, but that doesn't mean that they are forgetting about school all together. In their daily travels, most teachers notice things that spark the thoughts of how they can use them in their classrooms. These might be items they see, places they visit, new ways of approaching ideas, or a variety of other things.
Beginning each year refreshed and with a new outlook is important for the mental health of teachers. Teaching is challenging nowadays and it is important to make sure that you take care of yourselves. If you don't, you risk burnout, sickness, and low energy which can lead to more challenges in the classroom. Remember to
Do More of What Makes You Happy! Classroom management and organization is key
Classroom management and organization will be key to helping you stay mentally in the game. If you ask anyone who has been teaching for a long time for tips, you will probably be told that it is important to spend time the first few weeks establishing routines and expectations, and getting to know your students.
This hung on my hallway bulletin board at the beginning of the year as a reminder that each person was special and important in our classroom. I later moved it into my classroom and put it on a board by the calendar.
Not only was it a daily reminder for my students, it was a daily reminder for me as well. 
Kids like to feel that their teachers care about them. Doing things together and sharing stories can help with this. My students loved hearing stories about my family, my pets, and my childhood. They felt like I was more than just a teacher. They realized that I had a life outside of the classroom and I had included them in a part of it.
They knew that my power word was Believe. When I retired, my husband and son spoke at my reception. Here is an excerpt of what my son had to say. "For many people, work and family are very much separate entities. For my mom, I believe the two are inextricably linked. I'm not saying that she always brings work home. Rather, I think family plays into her everyday work life. My mom is firm, yet fair, and she cares so much about the success and well being of her students, they become like extended family members. Who else can say that, for a while, they thought their mom's first name was Mrs., or who can say that they get an annual birthday serenade from a class of elementary students, who've been well briefed on your life by the way." 
These are special posters that hung in my classroom to remind my students of how special and unique they were.
Building relationships is important
Building relationships is one of the most important things we can do when we get our new students. We need to help them to understand that we are there for them, we care about them, and we want them to be successful. I feel that this is crucial for a successful year.
Team building and getting to know each other is essential. Everyone will do this in different ways depending on their personalities and interests, but that is okay. It helps with learning to accept uniqueness and diversity.
Getting to know your students is very important. Who better to ask than the parents. Every year I send home a form called "Getting Acquainted". (Get your own copy by clicking the image above.) It is a way for parents to share some insights about their child and the family. Since so many parents are now working, it is harder to have face to face conversations with them. They want to be involved in their child's learning, but sometimes we have to be more creative to make sure this happens.
It is important to keep the lines of communication open so that we can have the frank conversations when necessary. I believe that each day is a fresh start, so if I can focus on what is right in the classroom and help my students to do the same, this can be communicated to the family through notes, phone calls, or face to face conversations when possible.
Often parents will ask what they can do at home to help support the learning that is happening at school. I believe that the best way to help is to read with their child and give them lots of real life experiences that use the skills and concepts taught. I send home a paper that explains how to go about doing Home Reading so that it can be effectively done and a positive experience for everyone. It is amazing how stressful home reading can be in some homes otherwise.
Here are samples of my letters. These are also available in my Back to School Start Up Forms package. Well, there you have it. I hope some of these insights help you and that you have an awesome new school year with many successes and celebrations. For access to free resources on my followers page, sign up for my newsletter. 
Classroom management is an important component in a successful classroom. This can be an area that can be very stressful if it isn't handled well. I am not an expert by any means, but I have had some success with difficult situations and many times students have been "earmarked" for my class.
Once, a boy was told by his brother that he needed to be in my class because "Mrs. Sequeira gets us!" The funny thing about it is, he was correct. I did get them. Even though they had very different needs, I was able to help them to have a successful year. This was not always the case, and I had a lot of lessons to learn along the way. Parenting helped and I used many strategies from home in my classroom. Watching and learning from master teachers also helped. 
Here are some things I learned:
I discovered that if I spent the first few weeks focusing on self-esteem and how valuable each of us is, that sets the tone for the rest of the year. I also found that focusing on the positive instead of the negative and beginning each day as a fresh start worked well. These are some of the posters that I used as a focus in my room. 
I began using some of the material from Whole Brain Teaching in my classroom a couple of years ago. I didn't do as much as I would have liked, but that which I did do was very effective.
Some of the rules were modified a bit to better fit my class. Rule 1 has the words "and correctly" added. Rule 3 is completely different because I didn't require hands raised to leave seats. I have included the original versions as well.
Another thing that worked really well is removing the audience for negative behaviors. This was something I was already doing, but it was reaffirmed when I started using the Whole Brain Teaching. It is very powerful when the class helps to create the positive environment.
If you are interested in learning more about it, I would highly recommend it. You can find out more here.
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About Me Charlene Sequeira
I am a wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and a retired primary and music teacher. I love working with kids and continue to volunteer at school and teach ukulele. 
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