Lollipop Leadership Moments

One of my favorite leadership videos is a Ted Talk about a lollipop leadership moment.  I hope it is one of your favorites, too, and that you will think about giving people lollipop moments each day.  To see the video, click on the link below:
Lollipop Leadership Moments
The video is such a great discussion starter, and is a strong story to share all on its own.  However, if you find you would love to have a lesson and materials to go with this video, go to:
Lollipop Leadership Moments Lesson
I recently found that I love writing lessons to go with great stuff that I find to share with my leaders. I'm certainly not "getting rich quick," but I enjoy creating materials, so I have started a small store with Teachers Pay Teachers.  Any lessons that have lollipop covers are great for leadership lessons. Hopefully there will be many more lessons to come. But always check this blog for free ideas!  I love to share.
May you have a lollipop day.
-Lisa

Henry Winkler Speaks to Students

This week I had the honor of meeting Henry Winkler.  Instead of asking for his autograph, I asked him if he had anything he wanted to say to my sixth graders.  He began speaking very earnestly.  It was beautiful.  I was hoping I could remember it all.  Then on a whim I asked him, "Would you just like to tell them yourself?"  He was all about it.  Before I knew it, I had pushed record on my phone, and he was going to town.  Sadly, my phone memory gave out during his last sentence when he was saying that he couldn't wait to see what they would do.  However, the message is still so inspiring, so I wanted to share it.  Enjoy!  I hope it gives you new patience, hope, faith, and persistence when it comes to working with challenging students.
And may you each find the gift in YOU.
Blessings to you for the journey,
Lisa

The Law of the Garbage Truck

Read this story about how a taxi driver reacts to an angry, reckless driver:

Taxi Driver Story

The Law of the Garbage Truck:

What kind of garbage do people carry around?

How do people dump their garbage?

How did the taxi driver react when the angry driver "dumped garbage" on him?

What does it mean that we should not take the garbage of others and spread it?

Draw a garbage truck (you can trace the one pictured here) or garbage can.  In it or above it, list the kinds of things people say when they are dumping garbage.  Take turns reading these phrases aloud and practice responding the way the taxi driver did.

How does it feel to react this way?

Be Together, Not the Same

Be Together, Not the Same
Before Watching:
It is easy to be friends with someone who is similar to us, but does it work to be friends with someone who is different?  
Have you ever avoided being with someone because they were different from you?
Have you ever wanted to change and be like someone else?
What would the world be like if we were all the same?
After Watching:
At the end of the video it says, "Be together, not the same."  What do you think this means?
When someone is different from us, why is it important to seek first to understand?

Valentines for Tinny

What can a simple wave and smile do for someone?  Can it really make a difference?  Watch this video about Tinny Davidson and her Valentine surprise.  Who brightens your day and would appreciate a homemade Valentine?
Tinny Davidson

They Know Not What They Do

Integration of schools came to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.  Years later, white students from Little Rock Central High School came forward to apologize to their African American classmates.  Click here to watch part of this episode from Oprah: Apologies to the Little Rock Nine

We seek first to understand when we walk in someone else's shoes. 

After watching this video:

*What have you learned about the power of a smile?

*How does it feel to live with regret?

*How does an apology show that you are seeking to understand?

*What can be done to break the cycle of racism?

A Magical Christmas Parody

Click here to watch a magical Christmas parody
Before Watching:
*What is a parody?
*Read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
After Watching:
*How do you know WestJet employees began with a goal in mind with this project?
*When people synergize, they work together and accomplish more than the individuals could do alone.  How do the workers of WestJet synergize to accomplish their goal?
*Some people say that if you do kind things for others at Christmastime, you help to continue the magic of Santa Claus.  What do you think about this statement?