Tag Archives: Classroom Guidance

Jun 11 2012

A Very Respectful Foldable

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I have continued to spend time thinking about how to use foldables in my school counseling program.  I teach students about a different character trait each month during classroom guidance at my school.  My latest idea is this four flapped foldable where students can list or illustrate the different ways they show respect.

Whenever I discuss the character trait respect with my students, I always make sure they understand that it can be shown in many different ways.  Many times, the focus is on how to show respect to others by saying that respect is “treating others the way you want them to treat you.”  To extend this, we discuss how to show respect at school and at home.  We also include showing respect to the Earth.  So when I came across this foldable style, I thought it would work well to teach respect.  It can be adapted to fit the needs of lower or upper elementary students.

First, I folded the paper the long way leaving a small section for writing on the side.

 

 

 

 

Next, I folded the paper in half.

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, you can fold it in half again to make the four sections.  Because I used card stock for my sample foldable, I folded each side to the center.

 

 

 

 

Once it is opened, you can cut across the folds on the shorter side to make the four flaps.

 

 

 

 

Across the bottom, I will have the students write “This is how I show respect!”  On the flaps, they will write “To Others,” “At School,” “At Home,” and “To the Earth.”  The students will also be able to draw a simple illustration on the front side of the flap.

Under each flap, younger students can draw a picture showing how they will show respect.  Older students can list a variety of ways to show the trait in each area.  You could also have students write an idea under the flap and then illustrate the idea at the top (behind the flap).

 

 

 

 

You could use this foldable for other traits too.

  • Responsibility- How I show it at school, home, with my things,  and with other’s property
  • Courage- Illustrate or write about four examples of times you showed courage.
If you can think of other ideas, please leave a comment.  I’d love to hear more suggestions!

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Jun 1 2012

They All Scream for Ice Cream!

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I incorporate character traits into each of my classroom guidance lessons.  I’ve mentioned before that my school district focuses on eight specific character traits.  I discuss a different trait each time I visit classes.  Each trait is assigned to a particular month.  So, when I visit, I bring a “scoop of ice cream” with the character trait on it.  I begin all of my guidance lessons by discussing the character trait with the class.  During our discussion, students are able to make connections and share examples of how they show the character trait in their everyday lives.

After sharing the character trait, we talk about my behavior expectations during the guidance lesson.  I remind the class that they are working to earn a new scoop for their ice cream cones.  I give each class a cone to display in their classroom for the school year.  By the end of the year, they have an eight scoop high ice cream cone.  Many teachers display the ice cream cones on the outside of their doors.  Others have special spots in their classrooms to display the cones. If students become too talkative during a lesson, many times I only need to remind them that they are working toward earning a new scoop for their cone.  It’s just a small incentive to keep students on task throughout the lesson and to give them something to show for doing their best.

I also have an extra large ice cream cone to display outside my office door that grows each month as well.  I’ve used it for so many years that it’s a little faded, so I’ll need to make a new one soon.

Do you have a behavior incentive you’ve incorporated in your school counseling program?

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May 24 2012

Magical School Counseling Giveaway

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If you ever want to amaze a room full of little ones, add a little magic to your school counseling program.  Now, I’m not a big time magician or anything.  I just like to do a little “magic” every now and then to add a little excitement to the end of my classroom guidance lesson.  I’ve only done my little tricks for my Kindergarten and first grade friends so far.  I bought a kit called Magic Mix.  It comes with multiples of several small, simple magic tricks.  Each trick comes with a list of easy-to-follow  instructions.

Magic Changing Color Case

The first one I ever tried involved turning a red dot into a green dot (or vice versa).  The trick is to turn the slide so that you insert the opposite end back into the case.  A special opening on the bottom pushes the red or green dot to the center.  The students are always so amazed.  I’ve done this one during my first guidance lesson with new Kindergarten friends.  Add a jellybean friend and a character song to this magic trick, and the school counselor is an instant hit! :)

 

 

 

 

Magic Drawer

The next trick is making a penny disappear.  I’ve used this with first graders and they are always left wondering how in the world I did it!  The trick is a small slide on the opposite end of the drawer side.  Push it out just a bit, and only the outer part of the drawer will come back out.

 

 

 

 

Magic Imp Bottle

I’ve practiced this one but still have not used it during a guidance lesson or small group yet.  When you first show the kids the bottle, it will remain on it’s side.  When you give a student a chance to make it remain on it’s side, the bottle refuses to lie down.  The trick is the secret counterweight inside the bottle.  Two imp bottles are necessary for this trick so the counselor can pull another out of a pocket and, again, make it remain on it’s side.

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson Ideas

This box of tricks comes with a booklet containing lessons school counselors can use with each trick.  The Magic Changing Color case can be used to show how school counselors can help kids make a “change.”  The Magic Drawer shows how to make disappointments vanish.  The Imp Bottle can be used to show self-confidence or standing up for yourself.  See the complete list of lesson ideas here along with a sample lesson for the Magic Changing Color Case on Youthlight’s website.

I still need to practice the others before I use them, but I’m looking forward to it.

There are ten individual tricks.  The box contains some duplicates of each trick.  This means I have enough to share a set of 10 tricks!  Yes, it’s my first GIVEAWAY!  So take a moment and enter using the Rafflecopter widget below before Monday, May 28, at Midnight. (Eastern Time)  There are several ways to enter.  You will receive three entries for subscribing for email updates and three for liking Savvy School Counselor on Facebook.  One entry is given for following Savvy School Counselor on twitter and one for liking this post on Facebook.

There will be a six pack Character Readers and CD giveaway in June, so be sure to stay tuned!

While you’re here, you may as well subscribe to Savvy School Counselor for free email updates, right? It’s quick, easy, and worth three entries! :)  As always, I’d love to hear from you.  Connect with me!

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May 17 2012

Creating A Plan for Student Success

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icon
iconOrganization plays a vital role in having good study skills .  I incorporate study skills through various ways in my school counseling program.  I was glad when I came across the book Annie’s Plan.  This book helps students take charge of their schoolwork and homework by giving strategies to use at school and home.  Annie is a smart girl, but she sometimes is distracted by all the things going on around her at school.  I love the examples the author, Jeanne Kraus, uses to show different ways Annie gets off task.  I’m sure we’ve all seen students drawing when they should be listening or completing an assignment.  How about the student who can’t focus on his or her own work because they are too busy watching what someone else is doing?  Of course when Annie gets home, she can’t remember what the homework assignment is.  Both her teacher and parents know she is smart enough to do so much better.  Therefore, Annie’s plan was born!

Her teacher created a ten step schoolwork plan and a ten step homework plan.  The school plan included cleaning her desk, the use of a daily planner and setting daily goals. During my lessons, I discussed with students why each of the items on the lists were important.  The students were open to sharing items in which they could improve upon as well.  The homework plan included having a scheduled homework time, taking homework breaks when necessary, and preparing for tomorrow.  Many students affirmed that they learned at least one new strategy and that they would begin to implement those strategies in order to take charge of their schoolwork and homework.

Complete Schoolwork Plan

 

Complete Homework Plan

I gave each student a handout titled “What’s Your System?” from the book Spectacular Guidance Activities for Kids by Diane Senn.  This activity tied right in with three of the strategies from the book.  The students wrote about their plan for their desk, book bag, and home study area.  On the back, they could also write any other strategies from the book they would like to improve upon.

This is a great book!  I have used it during a fourth grade lunch bunch as well as classroom guidance with my third grade friends. It can be used for individualized counseling as well for students who, like Annie, are capable but just need a plan in place to keep them on track.

Stick around!  You can follow Savvy School Counselor with free email updates.  As always, I’d love to hear from you.  Connect with me!

May 11 2012

2 Great Books About Manners

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I have discovered several great books while cruising the boards on Pinterest for school counseling ideas. I ordered several late in the school year and decided to “test drive” a couple of lessons with my first and second grade friends.

One book I discovered and ordered is If Everybody Did by Jo Ann Stover.  I used this book during a second grade lesson and followed it with a drawing activity. This story illustrates what would happen if everybody did certain things like plucked flowers, slammed doors, and squeezed the cat.  The consequences brought laughter throughout the classroom. As we flipped through each page, we discussed why it is important to think about the choices we make.  Would there be flowers to look at and smell if everybody plucked them? Even though the over-the-top illustrations elicited laughter, our discussion helped my friends to really think about what would happen if they made poor choices and what a catastrophe the choices could lead too.  This lesson tied in very well with our discussion about our character trait of the month- good judgment.

After listening to the story, I gave each child a piece of drawing paper and asked them to illustrate some “If Everybody Did” statements. Some questions were- What would happened if everybody ran in the hallway?  What would happen if everybody threw garbage on the ground?  What would happen if everybody left their trays on the table in the cafeteria. The ideas they came up with were really cute.  Here is one student’s interpretation of what would happen if everybody was late to school:

Another great book about manners is the cute and funny Do Unto Otters, by Laurie Keller. This book is about a rabbit who discovers that otters are his new neighbors.  Unsure if they will get along, he talks with owl about it.  Owl tells him to treat otters the way he wants otters to treat him.  Mr. Rabbit then goes on to name several characteristics he would want the otters to have including being kind and considerate.  They should also know when to say please, thank you, and when to apologize.  This book reminded me of Simon’s Hook because of the extra dialogue and commentary throughout the book which were created to give examples and to evoke a few giggles!

I printed and copied writing paper from Do2Learn.com and asked the students to write a sentence or two about how they show good manners.  After writing, they illustrated the sentence(s).  I gave them a list with several options to choose from just in case they couldn’t come up with an idea.  Here are a few samples of their work:

 

 

 

 

Those students who finished before the lesson concluded flipped the paper over to a Do Unto Otters coloring page on the back.  I found the picture online at the author’s website.  You can find a Do Unto Otters  multiple choice, word search, and quiz there as well.

I plan to use these books at the beginning of the next school year and would love to hear of other ideas to try! Connect with me!

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