Leadership Bulletin Board

Today I went back to school to work more in my classroom. I've mentioned before that I am working on bringing the 7 Habits of Happy Kids to our school by piloting it in 3 grade levels and by teaching the habits in my guidance classes. So, this is the bulletin board I put up outside my room that includes all the habits. I got the idea for the board from here.

My Classroom!

Guess what?! I get to have my own classroom this year. While this will only be for one year, you can imagine my excitement. This means that my guidance classes will come to my room, and I won't have to travel around from classroom to classroom everyday. My plan is to use this room for my classes and small groups, and I get to keep my small office for individual counseling.

Here is a peek of the room so far...the first thing I did was get rid of all the desks and brought in 3 long tables to use for guidance classes. My hope is that this will create a more homey feel and will encourage better discussion and teamwork.

Next, I set up the back of the room as a small group counseling space. I made a sitting nook with rugs from LOWES and beanbag chairs from Roses. Close to the sitting area, I added a round table where I can have my lunch bunch groups.

Finally, I added lamps all around the room which makes the space feel much cozier. I hate overhead lighting; it's usually the first thing I change in any room I'm in. This is just what I've gotten done so far. I can't wait to share pictures when it's finally completed.

I'm Back and Preparing for a New School Year!

I have to apologize for my lack of posts.  I feel like I am a bear waking up and coming out of hibernation.  The end of the school year got the best of me with testing, award ceremonies, trainings, meetings, and packing up my office, I just didn't have the time for my blog (sadly).  But now I am back and refreshed, ready to start preparing for this school year which is quickly approaching (only 4 more weeks until we start back!).  I have been searching Pinterest relentlessly over the last couple days for inspiration, and let's be honest, just for fun. I mean really can anyone stay away from Pinterest??  Needless to say, I have found many great ideas and now it is time to actually get to work.  Below is my summer to do list.  What things are you guys doing to prepare for next year?

Summer to do list for school:

1. Write lessons plans for the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and align them with Character Counts.

2. Set up a school wide jobs/helper program where students will apply and be selected into leadership roles.

3. Recruit and plan for my Career Cafes.

4.Create a place for my individual counseling worksheets/ideas like this. I plan on using tabs to divide by topic.

Source

5. Organize my book shelf using this idea from Pinterest. I would label the paint sticks by counseling issue.

Source

6. Organize a Minute Meeting schedule.  I borrowed the idea of Minute Meetings from Danielle Schultz at School Counselor Blog.  I started these last year and the kids loved it.  It was also I great way to check in with all my students, and I definitely found out about some issues that I wouldn't have otherwise heard.  I want to make these a priority at the beginning of each nine weeks.

7. Categorize all my counseling books with my Ipod using the BookCrawler App. Danielle Schultz explains this process over at School Counselor Blog. 

8. Try to start a "Girls on the Run" group at my school.