Blog Archives

Ron Clark Week (Part 3)

08/30/2012

Hooray! It's Part 3 of Ron Clark Week!

Do you want to learn more about the Ron Clark Academy? Check out the video on the right to see how the classrooms function.

I love developing a strong rapport with my students so that I can push them to do better both academically and behaviorally. We shouldn't settle for "pretty good," when we could have "super totally awesome!" Even when we get frustrated, it's important to remember that every child is worth the fight - the fight for their future!

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Ron Clark Week (Part 2)

08/29/2012

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Book

Audiobook (Read by Ron Clark)

It's time for Part 2 of Ron Clark Week!

I want to encourage all of you to read (or listen to) Ron Clark's book The End of Molasses Classes. We read this as a school district last year and I instantly fell in love with it. The book has short chapters that focus on effective educational techniques. Check it out!

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Ron Clark Week (Part 1)

08/26/2012

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Last week, I attended my school district's "Opening Day" presentation. My superintendent started with a speech about "awesome."

He asked us to look back on our childhood and remember a time when we just KNEW that we were awesome. When we were kids, we didn't question if we were smart - we knew our brains were learning machines! We didn't think twice about our hair, our clothes, or our weight - we knew we were beautiful and strong.

Then, my superintendent asked if we still had our "awesome." Did someone take it from us? Were we able to get it back?

I sat back in my chair and thought about that. Have I said "no" to trying something new because I was afraid of what others might think? Did I worry about the opinions of others so much that it affected how I lived my life?

As a school counselor, I give my heart to my school. I often worry that I am not making a difference, so I push myself even harder. I put myself to such a high standard that minor hiccups can feel like earthquakes.

As time goes by, however, I know I've gotten more of my "awesome" back. I am more like that little girl who wanted to save the world; the girl who could stand up in front of a crowd and show what she was made of, even if someone teased her. I want to use that "awesome" to help my students be all they can be.

Little ol' awesome me!

Then, after his inspiring speech, my superintendent said he was going to dance with Pete the panther, our high school's mascot; he wanted to show his appreciation for all the hard work we did last year and to celebrate our success.

Then, believe it or not, we learned that Pete was actually Ron Clark! This week I wanted to highlight Mr. Clark's message. Enjoy!

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Top 10 Elementary School Counseling Supplies

08/25/2012

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I have received a lot of questions regarding what new school counselors need for their offices. Here are my Top 10 supplies for elementary school counselors, which expands upon this list that I made in July. I'm sure I missed some of your favorites, but like I always say, every building is different.

10. Behavior Management

For classroom lessons, you need a way to manage student behaviors. It's hard being the "guest."

8. Movies

Movie clips are a great way to illustrate concepts.

6. Play-Doh

Students use Play-Doh as a fidget while talking or as a way to show me how they are feeling.

4. Video Camera

Every school counselor needs a camera!
I create a lot of videos for my school:
i.e. Red Ribbon Week, Teach To's, Mix it Up at Lunch Day

9. LEGOs

Students love building with LEGOs. It's fun and I learn a lot about their thoughts and feelings.

7. Books

I use books ALL the time to teach specific concepts.

5. Whoonu

This get-to-know-you game is a group favorite!
Check out my video podcast describing the game.

3. Happy Cup and Sad Cup

This is great way to manage small group behaviors!

2. Portable Sandtray

Everyone should create a portable sandtray!

All of my students, including my moody, "too cool for school" 6th graders, love working with the sand. The best part is that I can take a picture of the final product; I give one copy to the student and keep one for myself. It's an easy way to help document my individual counseling sessions! Plus, my students love having a picture of their work.

1. School Puppet

Tim, my school puppet, is probably the best idea I've had since starting my school counseling career. Tim teaches students positive school behaviors, livens up school-wide programs, and is a wonderful incentive for students on behavior plans. He even helped with my 2012-2013 office tour!

To learn more about Tim, click here.

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Counselors with Character Contest

08/22/2012

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In my school district, we have monthly core values. To help promote and teach these positive character traits, I create interactive bulletin boards, utilize my Students of Character Club, and conduct classroom-based counseling lessons.

Every month, I will host a contest open to all school counselors. The challenge is to submit a 30 min. lesson for a K-6 classroom (pick 1 grade) that focuses on the core value of the month.

This month's core value is...

Submit your 30 min. classroom lesson by completing the form below. Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2012. Winner will be announced September 3, 2012. The winning lesson will also be posted here with credit to the author.

Winner will receive a
tote bag of his/her choice.

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Owl-Some Artwork

08/22/2012

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Blue "Listening" Owl

Need cheap, but unique, artwork? Try making your own! I bought a pack of canvases and painted my design with acrylics.

Owl Outline
File Size:	153 kb
File Type:	pdf

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My Artwork on Display

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Organization Inspiration!

08/21/2012

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I have received a lot of emails regarding documentation and school counseling planners. Renee Stack, one of my district's elementary school counselors, sent out a bunch of great forms that could definitely meet your needs.

PDF Copies
File Size:	232 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Weekly Counseling Schedule (WORD)
File Size:	19 kb
File Type:	docx

Download File

Here's what I use...

Cover

Inside Pages

I print the cover on cardstock and the pages on regular white printer paper. The inside pages are back-to-back.

Schedule Cover (PDF)
File Size:	985 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Schedule Cover (WORD)
File Size:	380 kb
File Type:	doc

Download File

Weekly Schedule Pages
File Size:	173 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Office Tour

08/20/2012

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Why not personalize your beginning of the year lesson with a short office tour?

I created this video with a Sony Bloggie Touch camera, Format Factory (to convert the video file to WMV), and Windows Movie Maker.

Like the puppet shown in the video? Check out my "Adventures with Tim" program here. Tim is a wonderful addition to my school counseling program because not only do the kids love him, they also learn from him.

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The Dove Social Mission

08/19/2012

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As school counselors, we see female students struggle with their self-esteem. Some girls even turn to unhealthy practices to "fix" the problems they see in themselves.

Dove's social mission is to help build positive self-esteem in women and girls everywhere. On their site, you can find 1:1 activities to help your female students explore options in art, music, technology, and more, all so they can reach their full potential. There is also a free PDF to help girls navigate digital drama, such as cyberbullying, de-friending, sexting, and mean tweeting.

While searching Dove's resources, I also found a number a powerful videos that could be useful with your students.

You can view all of my self-esteem videos here.

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School Counseling Supplies

08/19/2012

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I recently received a catalog called "TREND for Kids PreK to Grade 9" and found a lot of great stuff! I wanted to show you some of the items I purchased; all were at a VERY reasonable price. Click here to visit TREND Enterprises.