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Just Reed & Play

in Preschool and K

in Learn· Print

7 Bucket Filler Activities that will Transform Your Classroom

 

Bucket Filler Activities

Bucket filler activities are the perfect addition to any K-2 classroom to transform the environment.  A bucket filling classroom is one where students work together and care.  It’s a place where kindness is the norm.  These 7 Bucket Filler Activities are low prep and easy to implement right away.  

The bucket filling concept comes from some popular books by Carol McCloud.  The books teach children that people have an invisible “bucket” over their heads that they carry with them at all times.  When people are kind or helpful to us, they fill our bucket, but when they say or do unkind things, they dip from our bucket.  The books do a great job of explaining the concept in a way that kids can understand!  Click on any of the images below to check out the books.


Activities to Introduce Bucket Filling

read a bucket filler story

1. After reading one or more of the books about Bucket Filling, I like to introduce the story of Maizy and the Bucket Fillers to my students.  This is a Powerpoint presentation that includes a story I wrote about a new little girl who enters a calm, kind classroom and, well….things quickly change.  The children love this story and it really illustrates the importance of having a bucket filling classroom.  It also shows the children that you can always make better choices if you make up your mind to.

I also like to print out a copy of the book and laminate it.

I put it in the reading center, and the children love to revisit the story of Maizy.  It’s a continual reminder of Bucket Filling and why it’s important.

bucket filler anchor chart example

2. Another Bucket Filler activity we do is to make an anchor chart to display in the classroom.  The key is to build the chart with the students…don’t make it by yourself! Set it up first by making one side “Bucket Fillers” and one side “Bucket Dippers”.  Then pull one character trait or behavior out at a time, read it with the children, and have them decide if that describes bucket fillers or bucket dippers.

I like to hang this anchor chart on a bulletin board in the classroom so it serves as reference all year along.

It also makes a pretty cute display if you ask me! *wink*

bucket filler and dipper sorting activity

3. A sorting activity lets children really think about specific character traits and behaviors.  This can be done small group or with the whole class.  Add labels to actual buckets for this bucket filler activity.  You can also leave the buckets out somewhere in the classroom for children to add more examples to as they think of them.

MORE Bucket Filler Activities for the Classroom

bucket filler scenario cards

4. One of the most helpful bucket filler activities you can do in your classroom is to discuss specific scenarios.  Present the children with several real-life, relatable scenarios, and let them tell what a Bucket Filler would do and what a Bucket Dipper would do.  These scenarios can even be acted out.  Let the children show how a filler or dipper would respond in each situation.

It’s always amazing to hear the children’s thinking on this activity.  Their compassion and insight often extend well beyond their age! 

I like to spread these out over a few weeks so we keep a running Bucket Filler dialogue going in the class.  They are the perfect quick activity for circle time or morning meeting.

classroom kindness chart

5. Work together as class to build a bucket filling community.  Print out a hundreds chart and challenge your class to a kindness campaign.  Each time you notice an act of kindness in the classroom, add a star sticker to the chart.  When you fill up the entire chart, have a celebration.  I’ve found that ice cream sundae parties are a class favorite!

bucket filling craft

6. Crafts are always a fun way to engage students in whatever you’re learning about.  This bucket craft is colorful and cute, and it has an important purpose.  Inside, students write about how they will be a bucket filler.  I love hearing all the ways they plan to create a classroom community of kindness.

bucket filling certificate

7. Finally, celebrate success with your students.  Presenting awards and sending positive notes home is one of my favorite classroom Bucket Filler activities.  I also love using punch cards.  You can print them on colorful paper and let students use a hole punch to celebrate whenever they fill a bucket.

The materials in this post can be found in my Bucket Filling Classroom Toolkit.  If you’re interested in checking it out, click on the image below.

best selling bucket filler packet

Are you anxious to get started transforming your classroom environment with the Bucket Filling concept?

Download this FREEBIE to get you started!

Here are more classroom ideas you’ll love:

  • 30+ of the BEST Environmental Print Activities
  • Hands-On Alphabet Activities

 

 

7 Comments

« 30+ of the Best Environmental Print Activities
Fine Motor Valentines Craft »

Comments

  1. Leigh Langton says

    June 1, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    Lovin' all your new stuff, Ash! Chevron and Owl?! Coolest classroom on the block! LOL! Let me know if you need any help on anything!

    leigh
    The Applicious Teacher

    Reply
  2. Melissa Handschuh says

    June 3, 2013 at 7:54 pm

    I'm thinking our classrooms are going to be twins. So excited for bright chevron and owls. Also, loving the bucket filler pack.

    Reply
  3. Liz says

    June 8, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    Love the Bucket Dipper stuff! My co-worker is changing her theme to owls – I'll have to show her your stuff!

    Reply
  4. Jessica Heeren says

    June 9, 2013 at 6:57 pm

    Thanks for the comment on my blog! I am just now seeing yours for the first time too! I'm your newest follower! 🙂

    Jessica
    Mrs. Heeren's Happenings

    Reply
  5. Dale Ann Watson says

    June 18, 2017 at 7:55 pm

    I could not find the area “below” to join the bucket filler brigade for classroom teachers. I could only find one for counselor/principal

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      July 20, 2019 at 9:59 pm

      Here it is: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bucket-Filler-Activities-262613

      Reply
  6. Candy says

    August 30, 2022 at 12:47 pm

    Cant wait to share all this lovely color for our classroom with some great ideas.

    Reply

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