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    How to Teach Self-Discipline Instead of Just Discipline

    I’ve been a progressive educator my entire life, despite the fact that I’ve spent many years working in schools that were far from progressive. At the first school I worked at in rural Louisiana, the principal kept a paddle on her wall and used it to beat the children. 

    Through it all, I’ve struggled to find an approach to discipline that is simultaneously progressive and specific. As someone who has always worked in schools with high numbers of children who are impacted by poverty, I need lots of tools and strategies. 
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    Henry’s Lemonade Stand: 4 1/2 Years-Old

    What fun! Henry had the idea to plan a lemonade stand. He used his moveable alphabet to write a letter to his teacher to invite her on a Saturday. Then he juiced most of the lemons using our electric juicer. Unfortunately we only had a dark natural sugar, so it ended up looking like a dehydrated urine sample. Oh, well!
    We found a nice shady spot and got to work waving at all the cars that passed by. We met several new neighbors, and even sold lemonade to a family from our school who just happened to be driving by. Henry took the orders, filled the glasses with ice, and
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    Turning the Corner–Woo-hoo!

    Oh, Friends, what a whirlwind! That’s a common theme in my life, right?

    I genuinely and honestly feel like I have turned a major corner.
    Let me back track a little.
    Two weeks ago, I was at my Reflection & Rejuvenation Retreat with two wonderful women. (Kate, I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your message; I have 465 messages awaiting me in my inbox!)
    During my time, I realized that I am in desperate need of relaxation. I came to admit that even though my life with children is fun, it is NEVER relaxing. Even when we are in our backyard swimming together, I am supervising them or playing police
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