Category: Reviews

Product Review: Bouncy Bands

03/06/2014

We've all been there. We've had students who fidget, who rock in their seats, who fall out of their seats...

Sometimes it can be a bit daunting to come up with a support plan that fits their specific needs because frankly, hyperactivity and other sensory needs are not easy fixes. Medicine can be a helpful addition, but it's not the only answer and it's not always an option for our families and students. So, what do you do with a kid who is painfully wiggly, almost like they are ready to crawl out of their skin?

Well, Bouncy Bands may be for you.

Bouncy Bands slide onto the legs of a desk, allowing the student to bounce his/her feet and apply pressure without making noise or disturbing the learning process. They are safe, effective, and affordable. The best part, as explained in the Bouncy Bands FAQ section, you can use the Bouncy Bands template to make your own. This means that even more students can benefit from a product like this one.

At my school, we are lucky to have support from students, staff, and parents regarding sensory breaks and classroom-based supports. We have students using a variety of sensory aids, so these "extras" are not seen as weird and typically do not draw negative attention. My students love the tension and release that a band provides; it helps them focus when focusing is usually a struggle.

If you are at a school with few sensory supports, I still think Bouncy Bands could be introduced quite easily. They are inexpensive and simple enough to have larger sets (and therefore, fewer "that's weird" or "that's different" reactions). They are quiet, which is a major selling feature. They are also easy to remove and reuse.

Want to try out Bouncy Bands for yourself? Simply visit the order page of the Bouncy Bands website for more information.

Do you have a product that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Book Review: Spoonful of Sweetness

01/19/2014

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Elementary School Counseling.org is another stop on the Spoonful of Sweetness book tour! I was lucky enough to get an early viewing of this adorable book and speak with the author, Maria Dismondy, about it.

Spoonful of Sweetness is a book designed for children ages Birth-3 years. As Maria explains, "It is my effort to incorporate early intervention, encouraging parents to teach simple character traits in the book from the very start of their child's life. It is my hope that if we can start young, children will be equip with important social and friendship skills to use when they enter school."

I believe this book does just that.

As school counselors, we work with families of our school-age students, but often, there are younger siblings who tag along at problem-solving meetings, conferences, and school events. Parents see us a resource, so it makes sense to have other, non elementary-specific ideas in our back pockets.

This book is a wonderful reading suggestion for a family struggling with challenging behaviors. If they recognize the issues their older child is having in school, they may be panicking, hoping to prevent similar problems for their younger children.

Other Ideas for Elementary School Counselors:

*Read the book with kindergarten-1st Grade students in a small group or classroom setting. Explain that babies learn important manners when they are younger, just like we are learning now. Then, brainstorm what "big kids" need to practice, writing their ideas on the board. Finally, students get to pick their favorite from the list and make their own book page. This way, the class has their own, age-appropriate version of Spoonful of Sweetness for their class library.

*In an individual, small group, or classroom setting, reflect with older students (5th-6th) about how they've changed since kindergarten. What is their classroom environment like now compared to then? Do they act differently? Reflect on the manners they see from various age groups at school and the role that the oldest students play. Use Spoonful of Sweetness as an extra resource to remember and discuss early childhood. Finally, have students create posters in small groups (or individually) that highlight the manners they feel are important for their age group and/or school as a whole.

How Would You Use Spoonful of Sweetness?

Write your idea(s) in the comment section of this post! You will be entered to win a free, autographed copy of Spoonful of Sweetness. Deadline: January 31, 2014.

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Audiobook Review: The Tale of Aladdin and Bubblebee

07/22/2013

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I took a summer class a few weeks ago that discussed how to integrate the arts into our core curriculum. One of the activities that we practiced was a visualization technique, which involved listening to a story and then using that story to spark either written or visual arts (i.e. painting, drawing, etc.) expression.

The Tale of Aladdin and Bubblebee: How it All Began is a great audiobook for this type of activity. Bubblebee is a non-violent superhero who helps a genie who is stuck in his lamp. As a reward, Bubblebee receives three wishes, but instead of using these wishes on himself, he asks the genie to give him the skills needed to make the world a better place.

In addition to the story itself, the audiobook has calming music playing in the background, which could help students relax, especially those who may have excess energy and anger. The character voices, narrator, and audio effects also add to the overall story, helping it come to life.

I would use this technique with younger students, K-1, in a classroom setting. Students can listen to The Tale of Aladdin and Bubblebee and demonstrate their understanding through art. Since it's an audiobook, I would take frequent breaks to assess understanding and help illustrate the story using puppets and/or having students act out parts of the book.

Check out this resource today!

Are you an author? Do you have an audiobook that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Film Review: Professor Child

06/21/2013

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Last night, I watched two fabulous educational films from Professor Child, a company created by three mothers, Rory Kidder, Jenni O’Keefe, and Sharon Richards. The mission of Professor Child is to empower children during difficult life events. As the founders explain, "children have a powerful voice that is relatable, healing and hopeful. Ultimately, we want children to know they are not alone in what they are experiencing and that much can be learned by simply listening to another child’s story" (Professor Child, About Us).

Their documentary-style films feature a variety of children who have all experienced a specific topic. The children share their stories, what has helped, what they wish for, advice for other kids, and more.

As an added bonus, each film comes with a free companion workbook to provide opportunities for further discussion and reflection.

Children and Grief

In this film, children share their stories of losing a loved one. Some kids are dealing with the loss of a parent, while others with a sibling, uncle, or grandparent. Each child's experience and response to death is different, which allows the viewer to see a little of him or herself in the film. This is crucial because many children (and even adults) feel alone as they manage their grief; it is an incredibly private, yet universal, experience.

While not particularly "sad" in an over-indulgent sort of way, still be prepared to have strong emotions come to the surface as you listen to the heartfelt stories. A+

Children and Divorce

This film, while similar in structure, has a different sort of feel. There is not a huge variety of experiences or ethnicities as we see in "Children and Grief," but the stories are still meaningful and quite helpful.

The children in this film describe their personal experiences with divorce, what it means to them, how it has changed their lives, what has helped, and more. I especially enjoyed hearing the advice that the kids gave, which could have a tremendously positive impact on children at various stages of the divorce process. A

Why You Should Purchase Your Own Copies:

As school counselors, we are responsible for helping children cope with a variety of difficult circumstances. It can be a challenge to start a group about grief or divorce. Maybe the group dynamics, personality wise, are off. Maybe you don't have enough students in a particular grade level to start a group and therefore, cannot offer this service. Maybe students who could join the group feel uncomfortable speaking about their situation in front of others and would prefer individual counseling. So, what can you do to help students dealing with divorce or grief know that they are not alone? Well, I think these films are a wonderful resource to fit this particular need.

You could show the film based on the chapters that best address your students' needs or use the chapters for different group sessions as an introduction to the day's lesson.

Also, you can look forward to future films from Professor Child called "Siblings and Autism" and "Children of Military Families."

To purchase one or both of these films ("Children and Grief" and "Children and Divorce"), visit Professor Child online. You can order a DVD or a digital copy. Plus, you can download both companion workbooks for FREE. I strongly recommend these resources for your elementary school counseling practice. Check them out today!

Are you a director, writer, or production company? Do you have an educational film that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Book Review: Flood

06/11/2013

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Like many early childhood educators, I adore picture books...well, maybe it's more of an obsession, really. I consider myself well-versed in what makes a good children's book and can quickly determine if an author truly understands kids (or not). Many authors unknowingly belittle children by oversimplifying storylines, leaving their work quite hollow. This is especially true with children's books that cover difficult topics, such as death, divorce, and illness. We often underestimate what children comprehend and what they can handle, so we take the reigns and present a cute little story with a cute little ending. Life does not always feel so cute. Life can be scary. Our children deserve stories that address what they are thinking and feeling. By creating those books, kids may feel less alone.

When I heard about Flood by Alvaro F. Villa, I was intrigued. In the U.S., we've had a number of natural disasters within the past few months, so this story felt particularly relevant. What makes Flood unique is that it's a wordless picture book; no matter where you are from or what language you speak, your children can understand this story, which is quite beautiful.

Flood is the story of a family who must abandon their home when a violent storm approaches. The gorgeous illustrations show the family during various stages of the process, including the moments during the storm itself, as the family anxiously waits for the flood to subside. The story ends as the family returns to their broken home, rebuilds, and begins a new, more peaceful chapter of their lives. It's clear that Alvaro F. Villa understands kids.

As Roxanne from Books That Heal Kids explains, "this is a really smart and non-threatening approach to help children open up about their feelings and fears after a traumatic event" (Book Review). Kids need to know that they are not the first to experience such tragic events.

I strongly recommend this book to all elementary school counselors and educators. Not only do you get this exceptional story, but you also help Capstone make a substantial donation to Save the Children's domestic emergency fund, which, as Capstone states, will help "children and families during times of severe crises and natural disasters with food, medical care, and education." Plus, at the official Flood site, you can download a free copy of the Reader's Guide (right) that has tips for reading and discussing the story. Enjoy!

Are you an author? Do you have a book that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Book Review: Lucy Practices a Lockdown

05/06/2013

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I think we can all agree that this school year has been a challenge, particularly when it came to scary events (i.e. Sandy Hook) and scary rumors (i.e. the world ending in 2012). During these moments of fear and concern, parents, teachers, and students flood our offices with questions: How should I address this with my students? Should I even bring it up? Am I safe? Our job is to provide answers and resources, but even we need help sometimes.

Lucy Practices a Lockdown: Preparing Young Students for School Lockdowns is an excellent resource for school counselors. This book provides developmentally-appropriate answers and explanations for our youngest students, which is often the age group adults feel most uncomfortable and uncertain talking to.

In addition to the great content, author Gretchen Panicucci (licensed professional counselor, national certified counselor, and licensed school counselor) included follow-up discussion questions, a parent letter, and a student worksheet.

This is a must-have book for school counselors and elementary school teachers. I HIGHLY recommend it!

Are you an author? Do you have a book that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Book Review: Blowing Bubbles

02/16/2013

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I recently read a wonderful new book by Kathleen Cherry called Blowing Bubbles. The story is about a boy, Josh, and his grandfather; they love to go on excursions, like riding roller coasters and racing go-karts. They have a great relationship until one day, Grandpa George has a stroke.

Josh has a difficult time coping with these changes - the hospital is boring and smells funny, his stomach hurts when he thinks about what happened, his grandpa can't speak...everything is different and Josh doesn't know what to do.

School counselors work with students like Josh almost every day, but it can be challenging to find quality resources to help children cope with illness and aging. Kathleen Cherry, a school counselor herself, created this beautiful story to fill that void. I definitely recommend this heartfelt and honest book. Check it out!

For more information, check out the Blowing Bubbles website.

Are you an author? Do you have a book that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Program Review: S.H.A.R.K. Patrol

12/31/2012

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If you're a school counselor, then I know you've been asked to, in some capacity, manage bullying and bullying prevention at your building(s). The trouble is, we don't always have materials available to us. I've had to create my own lessons and materials more times than I can count and while I love to exercise my creative muscles, sometimes I need something that's ready to go.

I recently heard about S.H.A.R.K. (Students Help Achieve Respect & Kindness) Patrol, a program for grades K-3. The goal is help students understand the importance of working together and taking responsibility for our actions.

You can buy the whole kit or just pick and choose your favorite components. I personally love the CD, because the music is very catchy. I use the songs as a way to engage my students at the beginning or end of a lesson. Since my primary students LOVE puppets, I bring in a puppet to help "sing" the songs. You'd be surprised at how funny and enchanting a singing puppet can be. Try it in the mirror with any song...see what I mean?!

The Captain McFinn website has a lot of great extras too! There are 3 sing-a-long songs (have your puppet ready!), coloring pages, interactive games, and more! Whether you need books, activities, puppets, posters, or songs, you can find it with S.H.A.R.K. Patrol. The kids will love the characters. Check it out!

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Book Review: Mom, Am I Different?

12/29/2012

2 Comments

I recently read a book by Jennifer Adkins, a first grade teacher in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Mom, Am I Different? is a story about a little girl who feels self-conscious about who she is. She wonders why she likes to spend time by herself, read books, and do her homework - the other kids don't like those things, so there must be something wrong with her.

The little girl's mother explains that different isn't always a bad thing. This comforting statement gives the girl the courage and motivation to be who she is and make positive changes in the world around her.

I can definitely relate to this story. While I may appear extroverted, I have always been an introvert - I have just found ways to mask it when need be (i.e. theatre). I encounter a lot of students who feel that they don't fit in because their interests and needs are different from the other students in their class. The problem with most elementary schools is that the pond is quite small, so students who have more unique interests and personalities may have to wait until junior high, high school, or even college to make lasting, more compatible friendships.

I definitely recommend sharing this story with your students, especially those struggling with their individuality. The artwork by Georgia Stylou is striking and just like the little girl, unique. Enjoy!

Are you an author? Do you have a book that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Book Review: Preschool Gems

12/01/2012

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In October, I wrote about my love of Preschool Gems, a Twitter feed run by Leslie McCollom that is both hilarious and heart-warming.

Now that things have started to calm down (*knock on wood*), I had the opportunity to read Leslie's book, which is a compilation of her best tweets. I have to say, reading her preschoolers' quotes in book format makes them even more adorable, if that's possible.

Leslie divides her book into sections, such as "Life's Not Fair," "Snack Time," and my personal favorite, "The Dark Side." Reading these treasures one right after the other caused me to laugh uncontrollably, gasping for air and coming back for more.

I also couldn't help but share my joy by calling out to my husband - "Hey, listen to this one!" Unfortunately, I said that every 10 seconds, so it probably would have been easier to just read it together.

Perhaps more than the tweets themselves, I was particularly moved by Leslie's introduction. She describes children (and what it's like to work with them) perfectly. As she puts it, they are in constant search of "instant gratification and pleasurable sensory experiences" (pg. ix), which, to be perfectly honest, can make them seem like little monsters. However, the more you look and listen, the more you recognize the depth of their compassion, creativity, and individuality.

Leslie started her Twitter feed as a way to preserve the precious gems her students gave her each day. I know the feeling well! Every day, I laugh with my kiddos as they say the most surprising things, but then quickly forget what they said, despite every attempt and promise to myself to remember. Here are some of my favorites from my own personal collection that found a way to stick in my brain:

"Mrs. Rex, you are a vegetarian? So, if I touch you with meat will your skin burn?"
"When I grow up, I want to be a lifeguard princess."
"Sometimes, I think that odd numbers are boys and even numbers are girls."
"Mrs. Rex. That's like T-Rex. But, you're not a dinosaur. You're a girl."

So, if you're having a bad day, try reading a little bit of Preschool Gems. I promise that you will laugh out loud and feel completely refreshed and rejuvenated in the process.

Are you an author? Do you have a book that you would like me to review on my blog? If so, contact me at . I'd be happy to check out your work and spread the word to my readers.

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Product Review: Bouncy Bands

Book Review: Spoonful of Sweetness

Other Ideas for Elementary School Counselors:

How Would You Use Spoonful of Sweetness?

Audiobook Review: The Tale of Aladdin and Bubblebee

Film Review: Professor Child

Children and Grief

Children and Divorce

Why You Should Purchase Your Own Copies:

Book Review: Flood

Book Review: Lucy Practices a Lockdown

Book Review: Blowing Bubbles

Program Review: S.H.A.R.K. Patrol

Book Review: Mom, Am I Different?

Book Review: Preschool Gems

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