Day 23 - Intentional Goodness in the Classroom

I was recently in a school in Miami that has a fruit and vegetable program. Each day they bring a sandwich-bag sized snacks for locally grown fruits and/or vegetables to try. The students had cabbage that day and the kids really liked it. I was impressed at how willing they were to try new things. The fruit of the Spirit contain all the goodness needed for a classroom culture and makes the perfect character education platform.

A verse to ponder

Gal. 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

An intentional blessing for the classroom

Many children come to school hunger these days. Try to identify one student today that you suspect is hungry. Give him/her a piece of fruit today, just because. If you feel especially generous, purchase a little case of “Cuties,” (mandarin oranges) for all your students.

A focus of reflection

As you give the student a piece of fruit, praise God for all He has given us. Think of that fruit as a symbol of the fruit of the Spirit and be intentional about your classroom culture as His ambassador. Consider hanging pictures of fruit as reminders for yourself on those days when things aren’t going as well as planned. Notice that it is the fruit of the Spirit (singular) as your ponder the verse above. May you be a blessing to all your human touches today.

Day 24

(Greeting each student, each period, each day at the door)

As always, I am
Prayerfully dependent,

K

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI, State Director, Florida
kseddon@ceai.org

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by  clicking here.

Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.  

Day 24 - Intentional Goodness in the Classroom

If you’ve read Harry Wong’s, “First Days of School,” you know that he is an advocate of being good to the children through dignity, hard work and classroom management.  One of his most powerful forms of goodness to the children is to meet them at the door when they first arrive and greet them individually.  One of my favorite teachers is intentional at making their day before it begins with him by saying, “Welcome home,” and giving them a fist bump as they enter the room.

A verse to ponder

1st Peter 1:5-8

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

An intentional blessing for the classroom

Let’s practice basic Harry Wong on this Monday morning. Be intentional about making every student feel welcome before they even enter your room. As each student arrives, greet personally them by welcoming them in your own person style, looking them right in the eye and speaking words of goodness into them before their day even begins. The power of a personal greeting can make someone’s day.

A focus of reflection

We all have good intentions but often get off track with a simple strategy like greeting our students at the door.  I know it often felt impossible because I had something to check off or an email to check or papers to get ready for the next class or, or, or. I could make up a hundred excuses, but the impact of an intentional greeting at the door is so priceless that I encourage you to reinstate it or try it out today as an act of intentional goodness that will sow a seed of care into your students.

Day 25

(The girls and I were able to visit Gigi in the hospital and bring her favorite flowers and a talking card.)

As always, I am
Prayerfully dependent,

K

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI, State Director, Florida
kseddon@ceai.org

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by  clicking here.

Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.  

Day 25 - Intentional Goodness in the Classroom

This is the 3^rd weekend of Lent as we countdown to the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection. We are taking a proactive view to Lent with acts of intentional goodness in the classroom. However, on the weekends let’s turn our focus to those around us at home.

A verse to ponder

Lev. 19:32

Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.

An intentional blessing for the classroom (weekend)

Do you know anyone who is elderly or perhaps unable to leave his or her home, hospital or care facility? Let's be intentional about visiting them this weekend. If you have children, bring them with you because there is nothing more uplifting to someone who is aged to be with children. It’s equally as good for the young to be in the presence of wisdom received from our seniors and to learn respect for the elderly. Sounds like a Win-Win for everyone.

A focus of reflection

In our busy school lives, we often mean to make time for those who need care. As you pray this weekend, pray for the widows in your neighborhood or family. Ask God for a double portion of His love and comfort. My 85-year-old mom is going through some tough times right now and I know the best part of her day are visits from her family. May God bless your intentional goodness to our elders this weekend.

Day 26

(Fotini's Pay it Forward Day for her friend is today!)

As always, I am
Prayerfully dependent,

K

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI, State Director, Florida
kseddon@ceai.org

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by  clicking here.

Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) is the only professional association in the United States specifically for Christian educators in public schools.  CEAI protects our members first in prayer, next with excellent professional liability insurance and other benefits while helping them live out their high calling as a Christian in the public school.  

Day 26 - Intentional Goodness in the Classroom

Perhaps my favorite concept to introduce to students of all ages is Pay It Forward.  The idea of giving without receiving anything back in return is very interesting to them. Based on a true story, the movie “Pay It Forward,” helped many organizations take on this generous form of goodness with coworkers, neighbors and sometimes strangers.

A verse to ponder

Deut. 15:10

Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

An intentional blessing for the classroom

Let’s introduce the concept of Pay It Forward to our students today.  Do something nice for someone (usually something they can’t do for themselves) and ask him or her to do something nice for three more people. As each person passes along the concept, the impact can be exponential.  Children are natural givers and helpers when given the opportunity.  Let’s empower them. For more information, see the Pay It Forward Foundation website.

A focus of reflection

Can you teach the Pay It Forward concept in the classroom? Is it legal? Of course! I have introduced this concept to thousands of students since 2005 and know that many have taken on their own forms of Pay It Forward movements. One of my dear friends is hosting a Pay It Forward Facebook page and event tomorrow to help one of her colleagues whose home burned down. Let’s be known as generous givers by intentionally looking for ways to do good to others.

Day 27

A Seat of Honor

As always, I am
Prayerfully dependent,

K

Karen C. Seddon
CEAI, State Director, Florida
kseddon@ceai.org

Note: To more fully understand the 16-9 Movement, please read the first blog entry by  clicking here.