Learn about eight leadership styles and what traits leaders of each style typically possess, plus review the benefits and challenges of each leadership style.
We are a Leader In Me School and talk a lot about using the 7 Habits of Happy Kids in our everyday lives. I love the idea of encouraging kids to act as leaders in the classroom and beyond. What I have noticed, however, is that sometimes "leadership" comes off as "bossypants" and that is not the route we want to take! I know you've probably heard of Sheryl Sandberg (of Facebook fame) and her campaign to end the word "bossy" (read or listen to an NPR story HERE), but I was hesitant to come straight out and use that word in our class. Instead, I wanted them to think on terms of "boss" and "leader" to recognize the differences between the two and to think about their own language choices in the classroom, in small groups, on their sports teams, and more. We first looked at this picture and talked about what we noticed: (source) This led to some discussion about leadership versus boss behavior. While the kids were discussing, I was passing out example cards to their table spots. Before I dismissed them, I shared this leadership quote from John Quincy Adams: They were then given instructions about our activity. I had printed example cards on two colors: blue for boss and green for leader (although they didn't know that yet) and they needed to read their card and find someone with an opposite color card and opposite example (good time to incorporate the word antonym, too!). I dismissed them to their tables and first had them converse with students in their table group to ensure they understood the word or phrase on their card. When they gave me the thumbs up, I told them to find their match and them meet to discuss why they went together and be able to give examples. We then began assembling our Anchor Chart. Each pair would come to the front of the class and would explain which card was descriptive of a "boss" and which was descriptive of a "leader" and why. They gave examples and I elicited a lot of help from the classroom for additional examples and language that both a boss and leader may use during that example. I would tape the cards to the Anchor Chart and we continued through each pair. There were two groups of three (with two leaders to one boss) and that worked out perfectly with my class (definitely feel free to adjust if you have lower numbers). Our completed anchor chart looked like: It was so powerful to see how often kids may think they are helping, but instead find themselves on the "boss" side of the chart instead of the "leader." I know several of the examples are repetitive, but we really talked through these and used examples from our own lives to recount when using "leader" words and language set us up for success. I also explained the "me vs. you" mentality of bosses versus the "we and us" mentality of leaders. Overall, it was a very powerful lesson and I look forward to referring back to this Anchor Chart this year, especially when "bossypants" behavior leads to conflict. I think these concrete examples can help guide the naturally strong leaders in my class to make better language decisions that can help grow them as leaders and really inspire others, just like the Adams quote! If you'd like a copy of these cards and quote, you can download this as a *freebie* HERE. How do you address bossy vs. leader behavior in your class? Share in the comments, I would love to build on this lesson!
Jennifer Le Varge (@VargeLe) asked me to skype in and chat to her participants in her PYP workshop for Pedagogical Leadership. She asked if I would share my ‘top 5 tips for being a TRUE Pedag…
The children created abstract designs by squirting liquid watercolors all over paper towels. We prefer to use glass containers, because one gets to experience the true colors of paint this way. BABY FOOD JARS are perfect paint containers! These jars are just the right size for children to hold and move around, while they are at work. At the same time, you get to recycle and reuse them. Vibrant colors and the opportunity to create wild designs gave the children a fun way to learn color mixing. Three layers later…Oh what fun!
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Super Hero Youth Leadership Training. LDS Youth activity, Young Women, Everything you need to teach youth to be leaders. Printable's, ideas,follow thru
Do you teach leadership in the classroom? Do you use quotes to inspire your students on a daily basis? Then here is a resource that may be of use to you. 189 various quotes on inspiration and leadership to start each day! Whether you follow a leadership program or just want to incorporate leadership skills into your lessons, these posters are a great way to enhance your curriculum. Every morning my classroom begins their day by reflecting on a quote. HERE is a FREE RESOURCE to help you implement the Leadership Quote of the Day... Quote of the Day Journal Page This product comes in 4 background choices: LEADERSHIP ~ Quote of the Day ~ Fall Colors LEADERSHIP ~ Quote of the Day ~ Black & White LEADERSHIP ~ Quote of the Day ~ Blue & Green LEADERSHIP ~ Quote of the Day ~ Primary Colors Allow your students to write down their thoughts and start their day with ideas of leadership, motivation, and inspiration!! Suggestions for Use: ~Post or project a new quote, daily or weekly, on the board or overhead screen. ~Ask a student to read the quote aloud and have the students discuss or journal what the quote means to them. ~Ask the students to discuss how the quote relates to various aspects of your leadership program. ~Posters!! Use the quotes for a LEADERSHIP bulletin board or for a unique border around the classroom.
Sponsored by Redleaf Press. Every problem, large or small, is an opportunity for young children to learn and grow. From spilled glue to a conflict in the block corner, problems are an unlimited natural resource generated inside our own classrooms. This insight-building webinar, presented by author and inspirational speaker, Ann Gadzikowski, will explore how early childhood educators can take the problems, mistakes, and accidents that[...] Full Description
Many early childhood educators are well versed in Loris Malaguzzi’s poem referencing the hundred languages of children. In it, he reminds the reader that systems, structure and defined ways of working can limit children, an anchor of conformity and regiment which weighs them down. In this piece, The Sector contributor, Michelle Walsh, shares her reflections on leadership, asking readers to consider if they make space in their leadership style for the hundred languages in their team to be expressed.
There are many ways to create a multicultural classroom – a classroom where students explore and appreciate other cultures and diversity. The benefits of having a multicultural classroom are endless. Students break through cultural barriers, they learn to appreciate different ways of celebrating or communicating, and it brings the classroom community closer together. Here are some tips to
Have you ever been inside a school’s furnace? I have. It was a school that had distributed leadership, and everyone in the school took charge of their work and felt like they were members of a team. The worker who relined the furnace with new bricks knew his work was important. So did teachers and other staff—this also was a school where all the teachers taught to their strengths and their students’ needs.The questions we must ask are, “What is distributed leadership” and “How is it manifested?” When we pulled together research for the Learning First Alliance’s report Elements of Success: 10 Million Speak on Schools That Work, we found that all our members—teachers, administrators, specialists and parents—saw that all successful buildings had elements of distributed leadership.Elements of Success notes:“Successful schools define leadership broadly. Leadership is distributed—to principals, teachers, school counselors, community members and others in the building—and decision-making is a shared endeavor. In these schools, leaders (regardless of job title) meet high standards of practice and are supported in their development. They understand that effective communication is a critical component of school success, and they build solid, trusting relationships with both school and community stakeholders.”Which brings us to the second question: “How is distributed leadership demonstrated?” I have seen it work in two different ways in two vastly different buildings. In one, the faculty worked together on problem-solving, while the administrator used data to uncover challenges and then advocate for resources for the school.In the second, the administrator, who had both an MBA and M.A. in curriculum, made sure that at every instance teachers were encouraged to take part in discussions as well as to participate in meetings with the central office. The interesting thing was that there was transparency, which included the acknowledgement that there were personality clashes. In this building, teachers who were good at lecture, lectured, as there was no requirement to follow a “favored” pedagogy. In fact, while observing one classroom, I was at first surprised that I was seeing such an out-of-date technique of lecturing, until I realized that this teacher was a master of the technique and I was learning alongside the students. The next classroom first appeared chaotic: This teacher was moving from work group to work group while these groups buzzed with activity. It was loud, the chairs and desks seemingly strewn around the room in a distinctly un-regimented order. The teacher would work with some, then demand attention of all while he sent someone to the board to show a process that most struggled with. The students were teaching each other while the teacher facilitated and coached, keeping an incredible order in the classroom.What did these schools do to become examples of distributed leadership? And, more importantly, how did they take this path? Not surprisingly, there are several steps, starting with collegial conversations on the concept of distributed leadership. Then school leaders and staff have to discuss what it could look like in their school, agreeing on “what” can be accomplished. These steps can then lead to “how” to move forward. At this stage, the conversations shift to discovery by finding out what teachers, other school staff, administrators and parents want distributed leadership to mean. With this step, the formal process of naming decision-makers starts taking form, along with training for each new role. Basically, making the shift requires an awareness of what will be accomplished, along with how it will be accomplished and how the process will unfold.Clearly, there are different ways to demonstrate distributed leadership. However, at its core, distributed leadership offers a shared sense of commitment to achievement and an understanding that there are several paths to excellence. And while there are different styles, there is a common awareness that working together isn’t a threat.So, how was the tour of the inside of the furnace? It was actually scary, but it was vital to the operations of the school. And we understood the care needed to maintain it so that it was able to produce the conditions for the teachers and students to be successful. So although we might not at first consider a furnace maintenance worker to be a vital part of a school’s operations, entrusting him or her with the care of the furnace, holding him or her to high standards and respecting his or her work fits perfectly into the intentions of distributed leadership.Download the Elements of Success from Share My Lesson.
Providing meaningful documentation has many benefits in the early childhood classroom. Today I want to share some examples of meaningful documentation.
Today I want to begin a discussion about a topic that I have worked
Let's Cultivate Greatness: Spread positivity and teach service with these great student council project ideas.
Whether you are doing a homeschool preschool program or are a teacher in a preschool, having a plan is essential. Every year, I begin with an outline for what I plan to teach throughout the school year. I created this resourceful, editable preschool curriculum to keep organized and easily change what I teach from year
What do the 4 CliftonStrengths colors mean? This article breaks down the StrengthsFinder colors for you. In 2020 there was a change to the 4 domains.
I had planned on writing this post wayyyy back in August before school even started; however, life takes over and that never happened! Her...
It’s my first day of school! I love this time of year, all fresh starts and possiblities! Team builder games are one of my favorite things to do in the classroom during the first few weeks …
Work on basic addition with your preschooler with this pancake math activity to go along with the hilarious story If You Give a Pig a Pancake. Plus take a peek at additional Pancake Themed Activities for Preschoolers featured in our Virtual Book Club for Kids!
How to make cute, minimalistic binoculars Supplies: Cardboard Tubes (these are the perfect size & super durable) Brown Cardstock Brass Paper Fasterns Cardboard Scraps Hot Glue String/Bakers Twi…
To celebrate and learn about Matariki we have made this Seven (9) Sisters of Matariki Star Printable. Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also commonly known as the Pleiades. It rises during mid-winter and marks the beginning of the Māori new year. Simply print out and colour the star printable. You
Family and Community Engagement is essential. It is important to involve the entire school in creating an environment that supports parents. We
