Monday, January 21, 2013
Random Acts of Kindness - "Try It Maybe"
My friend sent me a picture of this awesome bulletin board she created at the high school she works at. I know most of my readers work at the elementary level, but I think you will love this board! The board encourages students to write random acts of kindness on hearts and tape them up, so it can serve as an idea board for anyone passing by! It is sure to capture the students' attention with the title that is based off of the popular song, "Call Me Maybe" by Carly and Rae Jepsen.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Can You Earn 100 Compliments?
In the Elementary School world, we have the 100th day coming up, as well as Valentine's Day. Both tend to be big celebrations at our school, so I created this Bulletin Board outside my classroom door (that's right everyone, I actually have my very own classroom this year!).
The purpose of this bulletin board is to help with the classroom management of my classroom guidance lessons. The goal is for all of my classes together to earn 100 compliments before Valentine's Day. Classes can earn as many compliments as they can during each classroom lesson. They earn compliments for being good listeners, staying on task, and participating. At the end of each lesson, I draw a heart for each compliment they received and write their teachers name in the heart. Then, whichever class has the most compliments on the board, after we reach 100, will get to spend their next counseling lesson outside as extra recess time! So far, this incentive seems to be working very well. If a class starts getting too talkative, I usually hear a classmate say, "Shhh! we have to earn a compliment!"
Feel free to leave a comment, sharing some of your classroom management strategies.
The purpose of this bulletin board is to help with the classroom management of my classroom guidance lessons. The goal is for all of my classes together to earn 100 compliments before Valentine's Day. Classes can earn as many compliments as they can during each classroom lesson. They earn compliments for being good listeners, staying on task, and participating. At the end of each lesson, I draw a heart for each compliment they received and write their teachers name in the heart. Then, whichever class has the most compliments on the board, after we reach 100, will get to spend their next counseling lesson outside as extra recess time! So far, this incentive seems to be working very well. If a class starts getting too talkative, I usually hear a classmate say, "Shhh! we have to earn a compliment!"
Feel free to leave a comment, sharing some of your classroom management strategies.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Fair vs. Unfair with Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. day is a wonderful time for counselors to talk with their classes about many important topics such as fairness, equality, peace, and justice. I found these wonderful lesson ideas from Pinterest for my 4th and 5th grade classes! First, I showed this Youtube video clip, "MLK - The King and his Dream." It is only 3 mins and 22 seconds long, and it is a wonderful summary of Martin Luther King Jr. and his valuable work.
Then, I used this wonderful (FREE) activity from Elementary Matters on Teachers Pay Teachers. I divided my room into 3 sections: Fair, Neutral, and Unfair. Then, I read each scenario out and the students moved to the section of the room that best matched their opinion of the statment. Some examples include, "Children who get their work done on time get to play games," "Drivers who drive too fast get speeding tickets," or "Children who raise their hand get called on to answer questions." The students have to think is that fair? unfair? or they aren't sure. Then, I allow 2 people from each group to peacefully debate their opinions, and we discuss the importance of seeking first to understand, then be understand (Habit 4).
This lesson is a fun and interactive way to teach the 7 habits, as well as, to discuss the monumental work of Martin Luther King Jr. Does anyone else have an idea for teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. or fairness? If so, please comment!
Then, I used this wonderful (FREE) activity from Elementary Matters on Teachers Pay Teachers. I divided my room into 3 sections: Fair, Neutral, and Unfair. Then, I read each scenario out and the students moved to the section of the room that best matched their opinion of the statment. Some examples include, "Children who get their work done on time get to play games," "Drivers who drive too fast get speeding tickets," or "Children who raise their hand get called on to answer questions." The students have to think is that fair? unfair? or they aren't sure. Then, I allow 2 people from each group to peacefully debate their opinions, and we discuss the importance of seeking first to understand, then be understand (Habit 4).
This lesson is a fun and interactive way to teach the 7 habits, as well as, to discuss the monumental work of Martin Luther King Jr. Does anyone else have an idea for teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. or fairness? If so, please comment!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
School Counseling Linky Party 2013
Marissa Rex at Elementary School Counseling Blog is hosting a wonderful linky party for school counselors. I have slowed down with my posting over the last couple months, and I am participating in this party as a way of energizing me into writing more this year!!
To be honest, I don't really have any blog features on my blog, because I only know how to use the bare basics of Blogger. I would love to learn more about creating headings and different features! I guess my best feature is my classroom guidance posts. I hope readers can come to my blog for many new and creative ideas.
My most popular blog post of 2012 was "A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School." This was a girl's small group that I created using the American Girl book and adding activities that helped my 5th grade girls prepare for middle school. Weekly topics included: Fresh Start: A New Mindset, A New School: Navigating Your Way Around, Subjects and Study Skills, Friends and Peer Pressure, and Bringing it all Together. This group was a huge success, and I know my girls entered middle school better prepared and with more confidence after completing these lessons!
I have found some of my best resources from reading school counseling blogs! There are so many out there that I read daily!! Thank you to all those counselors that share your amazing ideas and continue to energize me through your posts! If I had to pick my top 5, I'd say they are (in no particular order):
Elementary School Counseling
School Counselor Blog
Creative Elementary School Counselor
Scrapbook of a School Counselor
Savvy School Counselor
There are so many other great blogs that I religiously follow, I really feel bad only listing 5!
Happy New Year to everyone!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Holiday Classroom Counseling Lessons
The holidays are a wonderful time for teaching giving, compassion, empathy, and even careers. Here are a few of the lessons I teach during the holiday season.
Snowmen At Work
This lesson works well with Kindergarten -3rd grade, and it is a fun way to introduce careers to my younger students. First, I read the book Snowmen At Work, by Caralyn Buehner, and on each page we talk about each job that is portrayed. She includes many jobs such as mechanic, baker, dentist, truck driver, teacher, and more. Then, I have each student think and share about what career they may like to have when they get older. Finally, I have each student decorate a snowman like the career they have chosen. Click here for the worksheet. The students loved creating these and sharing them with the class, and it really got them thinking about each job, because they had to think about what the person would wear and the tools they use.
How Santa Got His Elves
How Santa Got His Elves, by E.J. Sullivan, is a very cute story about how the first elves came to work at the North Pole. First, we read and dicuss the story, and then each student fills out an "Elf Job Application." The is fun way for students to practice thinking about how to apply for a job. They have to think about the skills a good elf would need, the character traits Santa would be looking for, and what previous work experience would help an elf get the job. Click on the application here to download!
Enemy Pie
Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson, isn't a holiday story, but with this particular lesson, I like to teach it to my 4th graders around Christmas time. The little boy in the story has a really hard time making friends with the boy who just moved in down the street. The description on the cover reads, "one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning a best enemy into a best friend." After reading the story, I talk with the students about what qualities make a good friend. We make a long list of positive friendship qualities on the board and then use the qualities to write Friendship Recipes. Since Christmas is a time for baking lots of cookies, I post their "Good Friend" recipies on a bulliten board that says, "Recipies for Friendship."
Snowmen At Work
This lesson works well with Kindergarten -3rd grade, and it is a fun way to introduce careers to my younger students. First, I read the book Snowmen At Work, by Caralyn Buehner, and on each page we talk about each job that is portrayed. She includes many jobs such as mechanic, baker, dentist, truck driver, teacher, and more. Then, I have each student think and share about what career they may like to have when they get older. Finally, I have each student decorate a snowman like the career they have chosen. Click here for the worksheet. The students loved creating these and sharing them with the class, and it really got them thinking about each job, because they had to think about what the person would wear and the tools they use.
 |
| Snowmen At Work |
How Santa Got His Elves, by E.J. Sullivan, is a very cute story about how the first elves came to work at the North Pole. First, we read and dicuss the story, and then each student fills out an "Elf Job Application." The is fun way for students to practice thinking about how to apply for a job. They have to think about the skills a good elf would need, the character traits Santa would be looking for, and what previous work experience would help an elf get the job. Click on the application here to download!
 |
| How Santa Got His Elves |
Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson, isn't a holiday story, but with this particular lesson, I like to teach it to my 4th graders around Christmas time. The little boy in the story has a really hard time making friends with the boy who just moved in down the street. The description on the cover reads, "one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning a best enemy into a best friend." After reading the story, I talk with the students about what qualities make a good friend. We make a long list of positive friendship qualities on the board and then use the qualities to write Friendship Recipes. Since Christmas is a time for baking lots of cookies, I post their "Good Friend" recipies on a bulliten board that says, "Recipies for Friendship."
 |
| Enemy Pie |
Friday, November 30, 2012
Classroom Guidance Lessons
Dear blogging friends,
I apologize for the lack of posts lately. As you all know our jobs can sometimes get in the way! Here is a look at what we have been doing in classroom guidance lessons over the last couple weeks.
I have been teaching feelings in PreK and we had a lot of fun making feeling faces with play-doh. They made sad, happy, mad, and scared faces using play-doh on paper plates.
In 1st and 2nd grades I have been teaching teamwork. First, I read Julia cook's book Teamwork Isn't My Thing and I Don't Like to Share and we discussed how you can e a good team player and what to do if your group members aren't cooperating. Then I split the class into 4 random teams and gave them a team challenge. The teams received points for finishing the challenge correctly AND for working well together. Below is a picture of the challenge where they had to build the tallest tower. It was really fun!
My 3rd graders have been learning the 7 Habits, and this past we focused on "Put First Things First." I read them a chapter out of Sean Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, that stressed the importance of studying a little bit each day, rather then cramming for a test the night before and completing your work before going out to play. then the students looked through magazines for pictures of work and play and made "Work First, Then Play" T Charts.
See pictures of all the projects below and stay tuned for Christmas themed counseling lessons, coming soon!
I apologize for the lack of posts lately. As you all know our jobs can sometimes get in the way! Here is a look at what we have been doing in classroom guidance lessons over the last couple weeks.
I have been teaching feelings in PreK and we had a lot of fun making feeling faces with play-doh. They made sad, happy, mad, and scared faces using play-doh on paper plates.
In 1st and 2nd grades I have been teaching teamwork. First, I read Julia cook's book Teamwork Isn't My Thing and I Don't Like to Share and we discussed how you can e a good team player and what to do if your group members aren't cooperating. Then I split the class into 4 random teams and gave them a team challenge. The teams received points for finishing the challenge correctly AND for working well together. Below is a picture of the challenge where they had to build the tallest tower. It was really fun!
My 3rd graders have been learning the 7 Habits, and this past we focused on "Put First Things First." I read them a chapter out of Sean Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, that stressed the importance of studying a little bit each day, rather then cramming for a test the night before and completing your work before going out to play. then the students looked through magazines for pictures of work and play and made "Work First, Then Play" T Charts.
See pictures of all the projects below and stay tuned for Christmas themed counseling lessons, coming soon!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Talk Blocks
Innovative Interactions, llc has a wonderful product called Talk Blocks. I use this a lot in individual counseling sessions. There are 4 blocks for the student to use: 2 have different emotions on them, and the other 2 have things you need on them. Talk Blocks are extremely helpful to use with students who have trouble saying how they are feeling or students who need help knowing what to do to help them feel better.
Some of the feelings identified on the blocks are angry, excited, sad, happy, and scared. Some of the things on the other blocks that identify what the student needs are a hug, to sing, to take a walk, praise, to breathe, to talk, and to go outside. Using the blocks the student is able to say "I am angry. I need to take deep breaths," or "I am feeling scared. I need to talk."
For large and small group counseling, I have borrowed the ideas of talk blocks and I have had students create their own blocks. Students have created their own blocks with the same ideas as the original Talk Blocks so that they can take them home and use them with their parents. I have also had students create blocks using problem solving strategies and ways to handle anger. The possibilities are endless!
You can find a blank template by doing a google search for "cube template."
Some of the feelings identified on the blocks are angry, excited, sad, happy, and scared. Some of the things on the other blocks that identify what the student needs are a hug, to sing, to take a walk, praise, to breathe, to talk, and to go outside. Using the blocks the student is able to say "I am angry. I need to take deep breaths," or "I am feeling scared. I need to talk."
For large and small group counseling, I have borrowed the ideas of talk blocks and I have had students create their own blocks. Students have created their own blocks with the same ideas as the original Talk Blocks so that they can take them home and use them with their parents. I have also had students create blocks using problem solving strategies and ways to handle anger. The possibilities are endless!
You can find a blank template by doing a google search for "cube template."
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