Resources for Families

 Find many resources from the American School Counselor Association here: 

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Publications-Research/Publications/Free-ASCA-Resources/After-a-School-Shooting

A free resource to help talk with children about school shootings:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qF1hk6u2Cqil3bBwjoNtpFgyYrNuRNow/view?usp=drivesdk

April Lessons

 K and First Grade Classes - Tattling

We shared the book, A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue and talked about the difference between tattling and telling or reporting when there is potential danger. According to the tattle rules, we need to involve an adult and warn them about any situation where someone could get hurt. We try to solve our own problems, decide if the something we want to tell can wait until later, and mind our own business instead of tattling on others. We practiced noticing the difference between tattling and telling using scenario cards.

Grades 3 - 5 Conflict Resolution

We are continuing our work on anger management by learning about conflict resolution strategies. Once we are in control of our anger response, we can solve difficult situations with others by sharing our needs clearly using an "I" statement. (I need _______ because _________ and I feel ___________ when _______. ) The students were introduced to the conflict resolution bridge which helps them walk through a conversation with the goal of finding a mutually agreeable solution. We watched the Zax to see how they practiced conflict resolution and then we used scenario cards to practice our conflict resolution strategies with a partner. Each class received a conflict resolution bridge to use for problem solving.

March School Counseling Lessons

 Anger Management

In the K-2 classrooms, we talked about anger and read the Angry Octopus. We practiced full body relaxation using the tense and relax method along with the octopus as we read. We sang, "If You're Angry and You Know It" to help the students recognize how our bodies feel when we experience the emotion of anger and added in strategies to help manage anger in a positive way. Each class received a copy of some angry bird anger management strategies to help students remember to practice.

In grades 3-5, we played the Anger Management Super Prize Challenge game where students were able to share ways they calm their bodies when they are angry and explore positive ways to express anger. All of the students were encouraged to notice when they feel anger, what makes them angry, and take a pause to respond to the emotion in a positive way. 

February School Counseling Lessons

Kindness and Your Brain 

We learned how our brains react when we are kind and even when we witness the kindness of others. We watched and talked about one of these videos in each class. Check them out here:

After we practiced giving and receiving compliments, each students was given the opportunity to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge to continue to practice kindness for the month of February. It was heartwarming to see so much kindness being spread by our students! 

❤️

January Lessons - Considering Perspectives

K - 2

We read the story, Alphie, and considered the perspective of the turtle vs. that of Nia. 

We looked at some pictures and discussed perspective. 

Our perspective is based on our experiences, our feelings, our family, our culture and our beliefs. There is no one way of seeing things. We finished our lesson with some stretching and practice scenarios.

Grades 3 - 5

We started with some breathing and stretching and then looked at some pictures and discussed perspective as well.

Our response to any situation is based on our perspective. We can eliminate many conflicts by taking a moment and considering the perspective of our friends, family, classmates and others. We practices problem solving using perspective with some scenario cards and discussion.

Our lessons conclude with a reading of Whoever You Are by Mem Fox where we are encouraged to consider the perspective of others across the world and how we share many of the same human characteristics eventhough our views may differ.

Everyone in all of our classes were encouraged to continue to practice perspective taking and explore the virtual diversity library to continue to grow in our abilities to see things from other people's point of view and learn about other cultures and ways of life.

Virtual Diversity Library

Click the arrow in the upper right corner to open into a new tab and explore the hidden links

Calm Classroom External Focus