Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Beginning of a Blessing

I have to remember Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.


I am at a loss of words for the innocence that many kiddos have been robbed of. I don't understand the suffering our kiddos go through or the home situations they go home to. I worry and cannot even begin to fathom what children will be like in 10 or even 5 years.

It seems like there are always new discipline programs schools are turning to because we are desperate to help our children. I have been trained in Capturing Kids Hearts and Time to Teach. If you journey out into cyberspace, you find tons and tons of ideas about clip charts. We often turn to threats about missing recess or bribes about things from a treasure box that may only temporarily fix the problem or the situation.

I am not here to say anything negative about what you do in your classroom or to change you. Everyone needs to do what works for them. Take the time though to read this and reflect on your heart because even if you just walk away with a few parts of CD you will be changed and so will your kiddos. =)

What is comes down to I believe is what you think the purpose of discipline is.

About 5 years I came across a website with a poem about being a School Family. It then linked to Becky Bailey's website about Conscious Discipline. I ordered the book and was excited to learn more about building a School Family. Little did I know then that I had found a blessing that would change me as a teacher forever.

When I read this, I knew Conscious Discipline understood my heart and my struggle:


"I know many teachers throughout the world live in conflict. On one hand, they know the hardships many of their children face. On the other hand, they know the hardships these children create in their classrooms. This conflict, unresolved in teachers, hardens the soul. I hear the unspoken cry of teachers-they are shouting as loud as the children. We all need help. We need new skills, not quick fixes. We need a way to resolve our internal conflicts and be the person we want children to become. We need to be compassionate without being permissive. We need to be firm without being disrespectful. We need changes that start from within us--changes that heal the our souls, strengthen our character and improve our willpower--so we are strong enough to do the same for the children who walk through our doors and in our halls" Conscious Discipline p. 8


I do understand the battles my kiddos go through and the impact their home life has on their behavior. But I also strongly believe we cannot use that as an excuse. I have always believed and told my kiddos that I care enough about them to let them know that their behavior is not okay and it is not helping them be the best they can be.

Our journey through the book will probably change because leading a book study through my blog is so new to me and I am not sure the best way to do it....so please be patient with me and offer any suggestions you might have. I want this journey through CD to help everyone....not just those with the book.

I am not setting any date about when you need to have a chapter read by because it is summer and I don't want due dates. =)

I also want you to be able to take your time through the book because there is so much to wrap your head around and if you are like me, there will be LOTS and LOTS of reflection.

We are going to start with the introduction. As you read the introduction, here are some questions to think about:

*What are most discipline models built on?


*What is the goal of the School Family?


*What 3 premises are CD built on?


*Since change must begin with ourselves, which belief on page 3 speaks to your heart?


*Why is self control such a crucial part of CD? What does this mean to you?


*What is the purpose of the 7 Powers? The 7 skills?

I'll be back in a few days to share my thoughts on the introduction and the obstacles I have faced on my journey as well as the HUGE impact CD has had on me. I would love to hear your thoughts or questions so be sure and leave a heart note.

This is a journey that begins from the heart.


From My Heart to Yours,

20 heart notes:

Jenna McKeel said...

Hi, I think I will be ordering this book this weekend hopefully (tomorrow is payday yay!). I'm definetly interested in exploring and learning more about CD and discussing it with others.

Lisa R. said...

I definitely will be purchasing this book also. I feel like there is so much to learn from this book that will benefit me and my students. I look forward to following along with your book study.

Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure

Miss Angel said...

I would like to read this but i'll have to see if I can afford it... the website actually has it for the lowest price. On Amazon it is hundreds of dollars!!!

Mrs. Anderson said...

Loved the video you posted at the end of your post. :)
Connie:)
www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

Ms. Schweitzer said...

It was so nice of you to comment on my blog! Really brightened my day! I am going to look into this conscious discipline book. That is definitely the biggest part of teaching that they kind of forgot to mention to us in school!

Heather said...

I just bough the book and am excited to start reading it, now that school is almost officially out. I've skimmed it some and like what I have read. Can't wait to go through it with you and everyone else!

Heather (heathernnance@yahoo.com)

cynthiajohnso said...

I was looking at the website and saw several books that look like good summer reading material. I would love to be a part of your Conscious Discipline book study. Does this book include creating the school family? I'm really interested in fostering the family feeling in my classroom. Which do you recommend?
Cynthia

Jessica said...

I have attended 2 or 3 workshops on CD and have the book on my summer reading list. Your blog has me ordering the book so I can move it to the top of my list. Thank you!

amandapreece said...

What a great idea! And I couldn't agree with your philosophy more:) Ordering today! :)

Chrissy said...

Hurray! I need to add this to my summer reading list. Everything you have posted about CD made an impression on me. I teach at a small, Christian school; the families--for the most part--are very involved. Bringing ideas for CD back to the staff in August would be a good task for me.

ReadWriteSing

Unknown said...

It's really sad that our kids just can't be kids like us. They have to grow up too fast and so many children are raising themselves. I think that's why it's our job as teachers to make sure to treat them like children and let them have some time for fun! That's what we did in Room 114 today :)

Lisa

Stories from Room 114

Beg, Borrow, and Teach! said...

I just received the book in the mail today! I'm going to be blogging my response to your questions soon!

Chrissy said...

My book just came last week. I read the intro and I'm excited to read more. Thanks for posting these questions. I look forward to the rest of your book study as I am expecting one my of firsties for next year to be especially challenging and I know I'll need a different way of dealing with and helping him.
_Chrissy
First Grade Found Me

Shannon Kirby said...

Oh Heather!! -i've just added another book to my summer reading list. I LOVE your passion and commitment, it just oozes all over your page. =) This summer I will be attending the Capturing Kids Heart workshop and I'm really excited.

Chrissy said...

I just watched the video and there are tears in my eyes. Actually, down my face too. Thanks for sharing that.
_Chrissy
First Grade Found Me

Mrs. Wheat said...

Hi Heather! You were kind enough to leave me the nicest message and I never responded...until now. I just read your post about discipline and how difficult it can be managing the behaviors of our most troubled students. I find it even more challenging when they are so small. I teach in an urban district with a lot of poverty and I see so many children who are dealing with such heavy, emotional issues. It breaks my heart but at the same time their behavior impacts the learning of others. It's a real problem that is made even more difficult by the lack of support from home, the community, and in a lot of cases, my school itself. I just wanted to say thank you for the kind words you left on my blog and for your post about this dilemma. I'll be checking out that book. :)
Enjoy your summer!
wholewheatclass.blogspot.com

Think, Wonder, and Teach said...

I am feeling totally guilty right now. I stalk you on a regular basis but I missed this post. How? HOW??! I need to go back and take stalking lessons!

So I wrote a post today about Conscious Discipline and how I wish you would do a book study and a follower said she is. I know total run on. So I had to come see your new post. Oh wait... ITS AN OLD POST!

I ordered my book. It is taking FOREVER to get here. Okay - its only been a week but there is no "item has shipped notice yet" and I am used to Amazon. Here is 1 day. 2 max.

Can't wait to start!!!

HUGS!!
Misty
Think, Wonder, & Teach