Strong Spirits, Kind Hearts

Sandra Finney has had many roles in her life time in education including public school teacher, teacher educator, and director of curriculum development for K -12 classrooms. Her interests include supporting students’ emotional and spiritual growth, critical and creative thinking abilities, and cross cultural understanding.

• Acknowledgements Preface Part One: the Classroom WorldChapter One: The Teacher as Compassionate Role Model A Teacher’s Creed that Supports Students’ Spirits One Small Thing About Me Chapter Two: The Classroom Community: Everyone is Safe here, Belongs here, is NeededA Teacher Talk: We are all in this TogetherA Process for creating a Safe and Caring ClassroomKindness Lessons A Teacher Talk: When Adults are UnkindWould everyone Please Listen to Me? What do you Need? A Teacher Talk: Thinking about AngerThe Sharing Circle Chapter Three: Strengthening Bonds between Class Members A Teacher Talk: A Community Needs DiversityA Teacher Talk: Moral Courage and Diverse ViewsWho I am Now: A Project Getting to Know You Getting to Know you a Little BetterMany Ways to be Smart Laughter is Good for the Soul Part Two: The Inner WorldChapter Four: Building Resilience and Inner Strength Sources of Strength –Sources of Happiness The Gifts of Silence A Teacher Talk: The Gifts of SilenceFinding the Kindness Within A Teacher Talk: Tuning in to your HeartI am More than You ThinkWho Needs You?A Teacher Talk: You are NeededChapter Five: Change your Thinking—Change your Life: A UnitA Teacher Talk: Learning about your ThoughtsWhat are You Thinking? We can Change our Thoughts A Teacher Talk: We can Change our ThoughtsWe can Change our Thoughts and Behaviours Paths to a Happier LifeChapter Six: A Meaningful LifeFrom Routines to Rituals Beauty that Money Can’t Buy A Teacher Talk: What is Beautiful?We are All CreativeA Teacher Talk: The Need to CreateWhat is Your Song?Chapter Seven: Spirit Matters Exploring Questions of Meaning and PurposeThe Box for Important QuestionsOther Ways to Explore Students’ Questions and Concerns What is the Spirit? What is the Soul?What is Sacred to You?Exploring the Many Meanings of PrayerA Teacher Talk: There are Many Ways to PrayWondering about God EnrichmentPart Three: The Natural World Chapter Eight: A Breath of Fresh Air Short Activities Outdoors Take Short Walks Regularly – Ideas for WalksVisit Local Gardens Visit Whatever Body of Water is Possible for You and Your ClassThe Spirit of PlaceChapter Nine: the Ten Thousand Things: Supporting Awe, Wonder, and RespectWhat has Heart for You? How much will your Heart Hold?Take a Nature Break through the use of Multi Media TechnologyExplore the Diversity within and across Species Use Nature-Focused Thoughts for the DayCollect Awe and Wonder StoriesDevelop a List of Marvels and MysteriesStudy Colours, Shapes, and Patterns Develop Students’ Interest in and Appreciation of Plants Foster a Respectful Connection to Animals A Teacher Talk: How should Animals be Treated?WonderingChapter Ten: The Tree of Life: An Integrated Unit Introductory Lesson: the Tree of Life as a Spiritual Symbol The Trees in my Community Awe and Wonder Stories related to Trees Passionate about TreesA World without TreesAdopt a TreeCulminating Activity: Create a Tree of Life with Personal MeaningPart Four: One WorldChapter Eleven: We are all One Why do we need Bears?A Circle of LifeWhat and Who do you Need in a Day? What do we have in Common with Others? Whole People, Whole Lives: Moving Beyond Global Labels Chapter 12: Good People of the World: An Integrated Unit What is a Hero? What does it mean to be Courageous? Where does Courage Come From? True Stories of Child and Youth Heroes Heroes in My Family and Community What Causes People to Hate, Hurt, and Kill? Different Types of Good People: “Everyday Heroes”, Humanitarians, Eco-Heroes, and Philanthropists Thinking Globally: Acting LocallyRespecting, not Patronizing: What it means to use an Empowerment ModelA Better WorldThe Hero within us AllAppendicesAppendix A: Ways to Help Parents and Administrators Understand a Focus on the Student’s SpiritAppendix B: Principles of a Restorative Approach to Classroom and School DisciplineReferences

Strong Spirits, Kind Hearts is an impressive and inspiring compilation of ideas, activities and lessons that promises to enrich students' spirits within public education. Sandra Finney encourages transformational approaches to learning. Her book is a must-read that is easy to use without oversimplifying essential ideas and processes.