Develop more CONFIDENT student leaders who build a POSITIVE community filled with respect by sharing these 3 POWERFUL LIFE LESSONS with your class!
Pineapple Life Lesson #1: Good Vibes Only!
I'm a big believer in the power of STAYING POSITIVE! Each school year, I love building class community and relationships off this idea of GOOD VIBES ONLY! I say, life's too short to go through it as a grouch - lighten up and be aware of your energy! Before my obsession with pineapples, I used the "smart cookie" metaphor, and I would frequently remind, "You can't be a smart cookie with a crumbly attitude." Basically, you can't grow & get better at something if you choose to stay in your fixed mindset and just complain & groan. Positive energy raises the vibe up and keeps your emotions happy and the stress level light. Instead of freaking out, I teach my students to stay calm & focus on the positive. This isn't just a school strategy, but an applicable lesson for life!
Pineapple Life Lesson #2: Stand Tall
It's a fact of life, not everyone is going to be your biggest fan in life. In fact, you will run into your fair share of haters. (The kids always giggle when I use this term, but it's the best word for me to get the message across.) It is important to remain resilient and STAND TALL: not giving up or quitting when the going gets tough. Don't let the haters bring you down to their level and turn it into a war of low-blows, but be the BIGGER person. I remind them, you can't control other people's thoughts, feelings, or opinions - all you have control over are TWO things in this world: YOUR attitude and YOUR actions! Don't let someone tear you down with their hurtful comments.
Often, the best medicine you can show that person is to RISE UP and go on with your day minding your own business & staying HAPPY WITH YOURSELF (all while showing kindness and not being mean in retaliation because SECRETLY they are trying to STEAL your HAPPINESS. If your emotions show you're sad or mad, it means they won and you just lost.) This is also a good time to briefly touch on bullying - this word is so overused and confused and misunderstood. So, I find it's easier for me to clear up these misconceptions early on. Often times, kids overreact and think one act of unkindness means that someone is bullying them. Repeated and intentional acts to pick on someone over a consistent basis is how bullying is different than a single, senseless act.
Pineapple Life Lesson #3: Be TOUGH on the outside, but SWEET on the INSIDE!
This lesson is the perfect follow-up to the previous lesson on Stand Tall. Having tough skin like the protective skin of a pineapple is important to protect your brain from believing the untrue comments your haters will tell you. It truly helps you protect your happiness to realize that you are in control of your emotions and STOP giving that power to others. Being sweet, like the tasty fruit found inside the pineapple, is just a way to remind you to show kindness to others. We are in this world to make it a better place, and we do that by sharing love to each other. Kids often connect this idea easily to the "Golden Rule" or "Do the Right Thing Even When No One is Watching."
How do I keep these pineapple LIFE LESSONS on my students' mind?
I post a Pineapple Welcome Board outside my classroom that students pass by each morning before they greet me at the door. In addition to the kids delighting in seeing their very own name on the pineapple outside our door because it adds to a sense of belonging, I also keep the Pineapple Poem posted on this bulletin board as well. Additionally, I typically ask an applicable question during read alouds or novel discussion about a character. Was The BFG doing a good job of standing tall when his giant brothers picked on him for his small size? Tell your partner 2 ways you know the BFG is someone who stays sweet on the inside. This easy strategy can be used with any character traits program your school may follow, or the one you've chosen to be your own class theme!
This clipart by Prettygrafik had me at A-LO-HA! When I saw it was on sale, it was an even SWEETER deal! I knew it was the perfect way to give my best-selling Editable Pineapple Welcome Bulletin Board a makeover for the back to school season! If you're curious to see what the original design looked like, click here.
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