A Letter to Graduate Students...

My alma mater asked alumnus to write a brief piece to graduate students about life as a school counselor. I thought I would share my letter with all of you-enjoy!

Dear Future School Counselors-

I absolutely love working as a school counselor and you will too! Since graduating from Kean in December 2009 I have worked as a school counselor at both the elementary and middle school level. Currently, I am a school counselor at a K-7 school in --- New Jersey. Additionally, I have attained my LAC, and I am presently receiving supervision to earn my LPC.

I have created my own comprehensive school counseling program based off the American School Counseling standards. I work with students individually, in a group, and classroom setting. Furthermore, I have created proactive programs to improve the culture and climate of the school community. Everyday presents itself with different challenges, but also many rewards. I feel blessed to be able to work and learn from different students, staff, and families.

As a graduate student it is important to take advantage of every learning opportunity – go to every conference, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Keep current on counseling trends by becoming active in the New Jersey School Counselors Association, and the American School Counseling Association.  Use social media to start your own professional learning network with school counselors and educators from across the United States. Please connect with me on my blog “The School Counselor’s Chronicle” www.counselinginschools.blogspot.com, “like” The School Counselor’s Chronicle on Facebook, or tweet me @NJSchCounselor for further ideas, information, and inspiration.

Congratulations graduate students you have a rewarding, challenging, and exciting career ahead of you!

What would you tell graduate students about their future school counseling careers?

"A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue"

 I am obsessed with Julia Cook's  "A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue".  I used this book as a class lesson with my 3rd and 4th grade students to discuss the difference between tattling and telling. Cook does a great job of explaining the "rules of tattling" in a fun and creative manner.  Here is my lesson:

1. Introduce the topic of tattling by holding up the book and asking students if they know what the word tattling means. Facilitate a brief a discussion to assess what students already know about this topic.

2. Read "A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue" to the class.

3. After reading check for understanding by asking clarifying questions such as:

• What happened to Josh in the story?
• What are the four rules of tattling?

4.  As students recall the four tattling rules write them on poster paper.  The four rules are:

1. Danger Warnings ONLY!
   Only warn an adult when a person is in danger of getting their body hurt.
2. Be a Problem Solver
   If the problem involves you, try to solve the problem yourself first.
3. Is this a NOW or LATER problem?
   Can we solve this problem be solved at a private time?
4. M.Y.O.B – “Mind your own business”
   The problem does not belong to you, don't get involved in it!

Call students up one at time to sign the poster. Explain that signing their name means they understand and agree to follow the rules. Hang this poster on a wall or chalk board so students can be reminded of their commitment to follow the rules. 

5. Pick a follow up activity from Julia Cook's "A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue's Activity and Idea Book" to close the lesson. 

After my lesson the teacher shared her students were using the language in the book. She had overheard a student say "MYOB" to a friend during a conflict! That totally filled my bucket!

Have you used this book before? What are some lessons you have done?

Inspiration!

I am so impressed with this school! A true inspiration..

"Kindness Is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler"

In the story, "Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler, Mrs. Ruler challenges her students to do 100 acts of kindness for their family, classmates, and community.  Mrs. Ruler documents each act by writing them on paper hearts and displaying them on the bulletin board.

I used this book for a class lesson in grades 1-4. Here is my lesson:

1. Explain to students the goal of the lesson is to learn about kindness. Ask students the following questions:
                     1. What is kindness?
                     2. What are some kind acts you can do for others?

2. Next read, "Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler". Check for understanding by asking, what were some kind acts Mrs. Ruler's students did at  home, school, and in their community?

3. Next challenge the class to come up with 100 acts of kindness. Give each student a paper heart and ask them to write as many kind acts as they can inside the heart.

4. Give students about 15 minutes to brainstorm, write their acts, and decorate their hearts.

5. Go around the room counting each students acts of kindness. Be sure to count out loud and ask the students to join you in counting!

6. Create a bulletin board just like Mrs. Ruler did to display all the "kind hearts".

How do you teach kindness to your students?

Tagxedo

Check out the Tagxedo website to make fun and interesting word clouds for your students and staff!

What I Like About Me!

What I Like About Me by Allia Zobel Nolan makes a great class for grades K-2 to build self esteem and talk about diversity.  I love to encourage my younger students to feel good about themselves.  This book is a great way to do it.  Here is my lesson plan:


1. Ask students if they can think of anything that they like about themselves?  Ask if they would like to live in a world where everyone is the same? Foster a brief discussion. 


2. Tell students you are going to read a book about kids that love themselves and others.


3. Read What I Like About Me. 


4. The last page of this book is an actual mirror (how fun!) that students can use to look at their reflection.  Give each student a chance to look in the mirror and say what they like about themselves aloud to the class. Explain to students that we all look and like different things about ourselves. Emphasize that this is what makes us special!


5.  Next, ask students to go back to their desks and draw a What I Like About Me picture!


6. Close the lesson by telling students to bring home their papers to share with their families.


When you purchase The What I Like About Me Teacher Edition it comes with some great activity sheets you can use in your lesson as well!  It also has 20 mini books that students can use to read along!

                     

  

Girls Night Out!

This week I hosted my first annual Girls Night Out for 3-7th grade girls and special women in their lives.  They were invited for a pizza dinner, to watch an An American Girl:Chrissa Stands Strong, and to have a brief discussion about relational bullying.  

American Girl:Chrissa Stands Strong is an adorable movie that shows the struggles Chrissa had making friends when she moves to a new school.  At the end of the movie I brought daughters back with their special guest for a brief discussion. I closed the night by drawing 3 raffle prize winners!