3 Ways to Use The Savvy Files - Savvy School Counselor

I started The Savvy Files Series a few years ago in order to have a quick set of activities to pull from for a variety of topics. Many times as I would create my lessons, I just needed something to tie the individual topics altogether at the end or as a guide to use throughout the lessons. Today, I want to share how I have used them in my school counseling program.

A Savvy File is a “file pocket” with five tabs that fit inside. Each tab has a brief activity that supports the topic. Depending on the topic, some tabs may provide a definition such as the meaning of a character trait. Each “tab” needs to be cut out, and the “file pocket” requires a little glue on the sides. Depending on how you are using The Savvy Files, you may include time for students to cut them out themselves, or you may decide to have them all prepped and ready to go so your students can get right to work.

On occasion, I wanted something to use as a take-away after a lesson or just another way to use it during class. Because of that, the majority of the Savvy Files come in pamphlet form for a print-fold-and-go option. Those that don’t have a pamphlet form are being updated soon to include them.

The majority of them come with a lower and upper elementary version.

1 – Using Savvy Files for Individual Sessions

There are several Savvy Files topics that are ideal for individual sessions. You can have a few of the various topics prepared and ready to pull from. When that unexpected student is sent to your office, you will have an activity that’s ready to go, and it will promote meaningful discussion. It will also give them something to look back on after your session.

If you have planned a series of sessions with an individual student, you can use a different tab of the file to lead your focus for each visit. You can incorporate pieces of literature that tie into the session topic as well and use the file as a supplemental activity.

Savvy Files are a quick activity to pull and work on with your individual friends as you discuss issues that may come up such as grief, family changes, or coping skills. The Meet the Counselor Files can be used throughout the year as you introduce yourself to newer students and explain your role in the school as well as The New Student Files.

When an administrator or teachers asks you to help students with showing Respect, Self-Discipline, or Integrity, that is great time to pull the Character Education Files.

2 – Using Savvy Files for Small Groups

Just as the Savvy Files are great to pull for individual sessions, they work very well as a supplement to your small groups. I’ve talked before about hosting New Student Groups at the beginning of the school year. The New Student Files have always been a part of those sessions. They may also be used throughout the school year as you welcome new friends to your school.

The Attendance Files can be used over time as you meet with your attendance groups, and The Family Changes Files can supplement your groups with students whose family dynamics are changing. The Anger Control Files can assist with structuring sessions for you Anger Management groups as well.

Depending on how much information you are trying to include in each session, smalls group time can allow you to have your students cut out and actually make the files themselves. This allows them to practice following directions and gives them even more ownership and desire to keep up with it and share it with the adult(s) in their lives when they return home.

3 – Using Savvy Files for Whole Class Instruction

Any of The Savvy Files topics can supplement your whole class instruction. Depending on your time limitations, you can still have students cut out and create their own files during your lesson. Personally, I have typically had the files already prepped and ready to pass out for whole class instructionion OR I’ve used the pamphlet version just as frequently.

If you focus on a particular character trait of the month, using a Savvy File or pamphlet is a great way to review your discussion or to use as a guide during your instruction. I’ve typically used the character traits, bully buster, and goal setting for school counseling lessons.

The bottom line is this: Any topic can be used in any setting (individual, group, classroom)! That’s the beauty of having so many options. How you go about it is up to you. You know your students, and you will have an idea of how much they can handle in regard to having the files pre-prepped and ready or having your students do the preparation themselves.

One last thing to note about The Savvy Files is that although there are covers and file tabs with boys and others with girls, they do not have to be used in a gender specific way. They were created that way to give options. I typically mix the tabs with boys and girls and make covers with both and then allow students to choose the one they want. I will likely begin adding a cover option with the boy and girl together and eventually begin updating the existing Savvy Files as well. It’s also possible that I may just have the one cover option as I did with The Upstander Files Subscriber Freebie for my future files.

I absolutely love when folks tag me in posts showing their students using The Savvy Files. Please continue to tag me so I can see them in action!

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