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I've been thinking a lot about the development of George's character throughout even just the first few chapters we have read. In the beginning he is stressed, rude, short-tempered. He has no joy, fun, laughter, or smile. At one point he says that "he felt truly powerless" to change the path he is headed down. How many of our problem kiddos feel the same way as George? They exhibit some of the same behaviors and negative energy as him. But as he begins his trip on the energy bus those things begin to come back to him. The power of positive thinking is a character trait we should be cultivating in our own classrooms!

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”Unfortunately it takes a crisis for so many of us to change.”  Randy Pausch wrote a book about living while he was dying. In the midst of a crisis came clarity, his eyes were open to the things that matter most in this world.

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Keeping a support system of energy increasers nearby is so important in our profession. Couldn’t agree more!

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I think clearly identifying a vision of where you want to go for your classroom can help transform some of that energy...I think kids (and parents too) could really benefit from learning about the energy they are putting off and realizing when someone is draining their energy. I like Mrs. Gilsons idea of creating  that list of who increases and who drains...I just did that too and is surprising.  It would be interesting to have students do that and see what names commonly pop up on both ends of the spectrum.

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I’m trying to brainstorm some ways to offset students who are energy vampires. We can’t fire them! Anyone have ideas?
What I’ve come up with so far...
🔹praise energy-givers
🔹explicitly talk to them about getting on the class’s “bus”
🔹keep a support system close to refurbish your energy supply
I’m still thinking!

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One part (pg. 40) that really spoke to me, personally, dealing with the trials I’ve gone through this year...”So yes, George, Joy continued, “this is your crisis but it’s also your opportunity. Every crisis offers an opportunity to grow stronger & wiser; to reach deep within & discover a better you that will create a better outcome.  So while this is your crisis, what matters most is what you do with it.”  Whoa...such a deep reminder. I believe God doesn’t want us to “waste” our trials/crisis that we each will go through in our life. I think we can become a better version of ourselves through them, & by being real & open about them, maybe even help others that are in a “valley” in their life.

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I'm thinking on a plan for my classroom!  It can be the tiniest action that transforms/refills your energy, though.  I had a student who could drain every bit of fuel out of my energy bus ;) However, that student gave me a hug everyday after school.  That hug meant so much to me....filled my tank up to face another day!

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There is a part early in the book where George comes back into the house, is met with a loving hug from his daughter and invitation to shoot some hoops with his son...he shrugs both off...reminds me of a song by Matthew West called The Beautiful Things We Miss.

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absolutely love that definition of positive energy...it gets me pumped up every time I read it!

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Positive energy we are talking about here is not the rah-rah cheering kind, it’s the optimism, trust, enthusiasm, love, purpose, joy, passion, and spirit to live, work, and perform at a higher level; to build and lead successful teams; to overcome adversity in life and at work; to share contagious energy with employees, colleagues, and customers; to bring out the best in others and in yourself; and to overcome all the negative people and negative situations that threaten to sabotage your health, family, team, and success.

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My big epiphany hit me while reading page 34! Joy asks George to think about his own life; the who and what that increases his energy or drains it.  I started a list of who & what increases or drains my energy.  However, I also thought about how a react to the who & what. Do I allow, or contribute somehow, in the draining of my own or someone else's energy by my actions. Suffice it to say, I’ve done a lot of thinking about energy over the past several days. My head is numb, and my Netflix is calling to me!! ;)

OH! I also love how Joy explains how every crisis offers us opportunity to grow and to improve our circumstances. That is a big bowl of positive energy!

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I copied this to put here so I don’t have to keep searching my email for it.

Let's plan on June 7 at 1pm and June 21 at 9am for our two book talks (approx. 1 hour, maybe a little more).

If you would like a tentative reading plan here you go (feel free to read ahead)...

by May 31st read chapters 1-9 (pages 1-40)

by June 7 read chapters 10-19 (pages 41-80) **meet to discuss first half

by June 14 read chapters 20-26 (pages 81-120)

by June 21 read chapters 27-34 (pages 121-164) **meet to discuss second half

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I read our first segment last week & have been reading other books this week so far, but just starting the book has made me more aware of the energy people (and therefore places) exude.