Teachers pay Teachers is having it’s quarterly site wide sale today and tomorrow.  Use the code TAD13 to receive 10% off of your total purchase.  I have added an additional 15% off in my store on all products, for a total of 25% off any purchases made today and tomorrow.

I recently added a new product called Feeling Faces which focuses on the four “staple” feelings: happy, sad, angry, and scared.  To give you an idea of what the product is like, I created a freebie to share here with you.  Click the picture below to download. (Thank you so much to a reader who caught a type-o in the last sentence!  The PDF has been fixed! It’s amazing how you read over and read over things, but they still slip by!)

Students read the sentence and decide how the character is feeling.  They circle the feeling word and draw the face on the character showing how he or she is feeling.  On the second page, students write about a time they felt the same way along with three sentences telling what they can do if they ever feel that way in the future.  The product includes four sets similar to this freebie.  Be sure to check them out!

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.

Follow @svyschcounselor

There were no “study guides” available (at least none that I was aware of) at the time I was a candidate for NBPTS.  I’ve searched to see if guides are available now, but I haven’t turned up anything.  (If anyone knows of one, let me know!)  Therefore, I used the Assessment at a Glance provided on the NBPTS website.

There are six 30-minute assessments.  They are completed on a computer with the countdown clock on the screen so you’ll know how much time you have left to work.  You are given three assessments in a row, given a ten minute break, and then you’ll finish the other three.  The following areas are addressed on the assessment and are taken directly from the Assessment at a Glance document:

Exercise 1: Human Growth and Development-  In this exercise, you demonstrate knowledge of a specific human growth and development theory, and then apply that knowledge to a given developmental stage.

Exercise 2: School Counseling Program-  In this exercise, you demonstrate knowledge of the development, implementation, and management of a school counseling program.

Exercise 3: Diverse Populations-  In this exercise, you use knowledge of counseling diverse populations to apply counseling skills, techniques, and interventions to a student situation.

Exercise 4: Theory-  In this exercise, you demonstrate knowledge of a counseling theory and theorist by describing the theory and applying it to a school counseling issue.

Exercise 5: Data and Planning-  In this exercise, you demonstrate the ability to interpret and analyze the data provided, make appropriate recommendations for school improvement, then discuss the rationale and steps for implementation of the recommendations.

Exercise 6: Collaboration -  In this exercise, you assess a student concern, then discuss the legal and ethical procedures and medical concerns to consider while creating a plan of collaboration to help the student succeed.

Again, I did not have a study guide, so pulled out text books and notes from graduate school to help me prepare for areas such as Human Growth and Development, Theory, and Diverse Populations.  I had an excellent Theories professor.  I remembered her giving us a template to assist with studying all of the key figures in counseling theory.  I found the chart in my notebook and created one to use for my assessment preparation.  On the chart, for each theory, you will list the key figures, key concepts, time orientation, therapeutic goals, therapeutic relationship, and a few other areas.  Using this was very helpful for me when reviewing the theorists.  Click HERE to download a copy of the chart.  I wrote in the boxes.  However, if you would like the Word document to manipulate it yourself, just contact me, and I’ll be happy to forward it to you.

I studied the two sample exercises for School Counseling Program and Diverse Populations.  Use those examples!!!  They are very helpful.  Think about how you would respond to each of the prompts.  These samples are on pages 6 and 7.  If you are familiar with and use the ASCA National Model, you should have no problem with Exercise 2: School Counseling Program.  You’ll want to refresh your memory about counseling different cultures for the Diverse Populations exercise.  I reviewed my grad school notes from my multicultural counseling course to prepare for that assessment.

Also,  be sure to brush up on those key Human Growth and Development theories.  Just as it says above, be ready to apply the theory to a given developmental stage.

I personally did not do any lengthy preparation for the data and planning assessment.  I knew how to analyze data, so I viewed that section as one where I would take the information and create a plan from it which is what I did and was fine.

Knowing my four entries weighed the heaviest and that I had test anxiety, I made sure I did the best I possibly could on my four written entries because not scoring well on one of those would have meant not certifying.  The six assessments count 6.67% each for the overall score, so that gave me some wiggle room.

My One Fiasco

If I could have screamed, I would have!  I knew that I could cut and paste as necessary in the assessment.  I did cut and paste here and there.  At one point, I cut an entire answer to a prompt, but when I went to paste it…you guessed it…it was no where to be found!!  I had maybe 5-6 minutes left and had to re-create that answer from scratch.  Talk about STRESS!!!  I got through it, but I know my first answer had to have been much better.  Be careful with cut and paste, you guys!!

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.

Follow @svyschcounselor

On April 24, 2012- I launched Savvy School Counselor.  I can’t believe it’s already been one whole year! Wow!

Although I had five posts up on my launch day, my official launch day post was 8 Tips New Test Takers Should Know.  It was right around this time that my school was gearing up for the end-of-grade tests, and I created the activity to do with my third grade friends.

I had the support of wonderful bloggers like Andrea Burston and Marissa Rex from the very beginning, and I appreciate that support more than I can ever say.

So, I just want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who follow Savvy School Counselor and who have made my first year as a blogger a wonderful year.  I was really hoping I’d get the chance to meet many of you face to face in Philly at the ASCA Conference, but I will not be able to make it this year.  However, I am determined to be in Orlando, Florida for the 2014 conference.

Now that I have a year under my belt, I want to begin inviting guest bloggers.  I remember how appreciative I was to Barbara Gruener for giving me the opportunity last summer to write a guest post for her wonderful blog.  I was just about three months into my blog at the time.  I would love to offer the same opportunity to other new school counseling bloggers.  So, if you are reading this and would like to write a guest blog post for Savvy School Counselor, be on the lookout for more information coming soon.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.  I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with all of you!  Thank you again for a great first year!!

Follow @svyschcounselor

I have also added a new end-of-year school memories paper folding activity.  It sells for $2.00, but will be on sale today  for $1.50.  Additionally, my Character Trait Paper Folding COMBO PACK will be a dollar off as well.  It sells for $4.00, but is marked $3.00 today only.

This sale will end tonight, April 14, at 10PM EST.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.

I’m still waiting to hear from two winners of the Social Skill Builder App Giveaway.  Emails went out Saturday morning, and the deadline to respond is Monday, April 15 at 7PM EST at which point new winners will be selected as per the Terms and Conditions.

Follow @svyschcounselor

Using the same format (minus a couple of flaps), I created this anger management foldable to make with my students.  Inside is an area for students to identify the things that trigger their anger.  There are five possible triggers listed along with a blank line for students to add an additional trigger that may not be on the list.  Next, there is an area for students to circle descriptions of how their body feels when they are angry.

Identifying triggers and your bodies reactions are key in managing anger.  Once students are able to identify these areas, they are more likely to implement as many of the strategies as necessary.  This activity does include eight. Students illustrate the strategy on the outside of the flap and write the strategy on the inside.  The eight strategies I used on my foldable are:

•  Take three deep breaths.
• Count backward from 10 to 1.  (Students can decide to begin counting backward from any number they would like.)
• Exercise/Burn some energy.
• Talk about it with a friend.
• Spend some time alone.
• Use I-Messages to express your feelings.
• Tell yourself calming words like “Calm down” or  ”It will be okay.”
• Walk away from the situation.

I have created a new product in my TpT store which includes a template for this activity.  There is an Anger Management contract included to copy on the backside of the foldable.  After identifying triggers and body reactions inside, students list them on the back along with the strategies they intend to use from the flaps in order to calm down.  Additionally, there is a two-page activity for students to practice creating I-messages along with eight posters to use which illustrate each of the strategies.  This 12 page Anger Management Pack sells for $3.00 Your feedback is always greatly appreciated.

You may also like this end-of year  School Memories Paper Folding Activity.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.  As always, I’d love to hear from you!

Follow @svyschcounselor

Little Leo is the “littlest” lightening bug of all his friends.  When you look at the cover of the book, can you guess what Leo’s problem might be?  You probably guessed it:  Leo can’t make his light.  All of his lightening bug friends are able to make their lights.  Leo’s mom lets him know he simply needs a little time and practice.

Leo decided to practice making his light, but as much as he tried- he still couldn’t light up.  It didn’t help things when his friends laughed at him when they saw him.  At this point, Leo is so frustrated that he flies away to a cave and cries.  After some time, he remembers his mother telling him he needed to practice.  Before long, in the midst of a thunder storm, Leo is finally able to light up!  He’s so proud of himself that he declares he could be “King of the lightening bugs!”

You’ll enjoy reading this story, but you will especially love hearing the story narrated on the CD which is included with the book.  The little voice of Leo will warm your heart, and the sound effects are just great!  You can hear a few excerpts from the book HERE on the Kidwick Books website.

If you don’t already have this wonderful book, add it to your list of future purchases!  It’s a winner!

Over the past couple of years, I’ve used this book with my Kindergarten friends.  I always include the song “Never Give Up” from my character song collection.  Initially, I always used it each year with second grade. After reading the story, we would talk about how Leo showed perseverance in the story. The students were given the opportunity to share how they have shown perseverance.  Next, each child was given a sheet with six boxes to create a short comic strip illustrating perseverance.  This idea came from my former intern Rachel.  Here is the sample comic strip Rachel created to help the students understand what to do.  It shows a little girl learning to ride her bicycle.  She falls off, but she gets back on and tries again- showing perseverance.

Through the years, I have always enjoyed seeing the comic strips created by the students.   I created comic strip tables for the eight character traits my school district uses.  Click HERE to download this FREEBIE from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.  Also, don’t forget to enter the GIVEAWAY for the Social Skill Builder iPad App!  It ends Friday night at 11:59 PM, and three will win!

Follow @svyschcounselor

Yesterday, I posted a review about the full version of the Social Skill Builder App.  This app sells for $12.99.

I’m excited to announce my latest Blog Giveaway!  Social Skill Builder, Inc. has graciously donated THREE FULL Social Skill Builder Apps for me to give to three of my blog readers!  So what are you waiting for?  Enter now!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow @svyschcounselor

Social Skill Builder is a company that sells software programs created to teach children problem solving, friendship and life skills, critical thinking, emotions, and consequences through the use of interactive video clips.

There are two versions of the app:  Social Skill Builder Lite ($2.99) and Social Skill Builder Full ($12.99).  The difference between the two apps is the number of modules included.  The lite version contains four modules while the full version contains ten.  The complete program on CD is $530.95.   The app is a snapshot of what the complete program offers.

I was given the promo code for the full version, and was able to preview ten modules.  I was also able to use this app with three of my social skills groups.  The students I used the app with were first, second, and fourth graders.  I also plan to share this app with my school’s Speech Language Pathologist as it was created by SLP’s.

There are four categories on the app:  My School Day, Preschool Playtime, School Rules, and My Community.

My School Day contains four modules:  Classroom, Table Talk, Jungle Gym, and Laughing.  I used this portion of the app with all three groups as the issues addressed tied in well with what my students needed.  The video clips are short enough to keep the students engaged while still getting the point across.  Each video has actors demonstrating behaviors that are expected and unexpected.

Students are required to select the best answer for a question or a series of questions following each clip.  Students are encouraged when they make correct answer selections as they hear, “Keep looking.  There’s more.”  If all answer choices are correct, students receive positive feedback such as,  ”Wow!  You’ve really got it now!” or “Wow!  You got them all!  Great job!”  My students seemed to really like the animated pictures that would pop up on the screen.

Preschool Playtime includes two modules: Playground and Preschool.  This category says preschool but is still great for the early primary grades.  It is geared toward children age 3-7.  I used a few videos from the playground module with my first grade group.

School Rules includes two modules:  Classroom Assignments and Hanging Out.  This category is geared toward students ranging from age 8-18.   The students in the videos appear to be in middle or high school.  I can see how most of the scenarios can be used with elementary students, but I would most likely use them with students in grades 4 and 5.

My Community includes two modules:  Friend’s House and Restaurant.  I like that this category deals with social behaviors outside of school.  The students are able to review basic social skills involved when visiting a friend or eating out.  It is appropriate for students ages 5-15.

It is very evident as to how this app can be used with a variety of ages. I like that the videos are of real children.  I also like the positive feedback given when correct answers are chosen.  The app is excellent for auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners.  All of the students in my small groups are regular education students with the exception of one with an IEP who is on the autism spectrum.  There were a few with attention difficulties.   I never had a student who wasn’t fully engaged while using the app.  The questions were straight forward and to the point.  Having a variety of answer choices made the students take time to think through their selections.

Of course, I would love to have more modules available on the app.  However, there are several videos included within each module.  I was able to easily spend the entire group period (30 minutes) just focusing on and discussing two of the modules.

Would you like to have this app for your iPad?  Enter my Social Skill Builder App Giveaway!  This giveaway will end at 11:59PM on Friday, April 12.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  You can also follow my TpT Store to keep up with my latest products and freebies.  As always, I’d love to hear from you!  Have you had the opportunity to use the Social Skill Builder App?  What are your thoughts?

Follow @svyschcounselor

I recently began creating more character trait paper folding activities to use with my students.  I first shared one in this blog post about respect.  Since then, I’ve tried to find a simple way for my blog readers to make these activities with their students too.  This courage activity simply needs to be copied onto your preferred paper (front to back) and given to your students to cut and create.

Once they fold the paper in half and cut the two lines on the inside, they are ready to illustrate and write about how they show courage.

To copy front to back, I fed my sheets into the copier’s feeder one on top of the other this way:

I won’t promise that it will work for your particular copier, but I do believe with 95% certainty it will copy correctly.

To print your own copies for this activity, simply click the pictures below.

I have created a character pack for my Teachers Pay Teachers store which includes Courage, Kindness, Respect, and Responsibility.  All four sell for $2.50.  I will be adding more character packs soon.  I’d love for you to visit if you’re interested, but I am happy to give away the courage freebie here.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates!  As always, I’d love to hear from you.  How would you use this activity?

4/8/13 ETA:  Two new character packs have been added to my store.  More Character Trait Paper Folding Activities includes Self-Discipline, Integrity, Perseverance, and Good Judgement for $2.50.  The Character Trait Paper Folding COMBO PACK includes all eight for $4.00.

Follow @svyschcounselor

• What did I do?
• What did I hope to get by doing it?
• What happened when I did it?
• How can I get what I want without hurting others?

She then draws pictures to go along with each of the questions. Using this idea, I created an activity sheet called “Picture This” with four equal sections.  Each section has a question at the top and space underneath for students to either draw and/or write their answers.  During the lesson, the students can complete the sheet using Sam’s story OR they may refer to one of their own situations.  It’s also a good idea to give a blank copy to the classroom teacher to use as he or she sees fit in the future. Click the picture below to print a copy of the activity sheet.

  The Weird Series is one worth having on your counseling book shelf!  Thanks to Roxanne, from Books That Heal Kids, for bringing this series to my attention on her blog last summer. Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  As always, I’d love to hear from you. Be sure to let me know how your lessons go along with any new ideas you decide to add.

Follow @svyschcounselor