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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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
Download File
My Artwork on Display
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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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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.

For My Office

Poster and Behavior Charts (for small groups)

School-Wide

Posters for my Core Value Bulletin Board
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Tips for New School Counselors

07/26/2012

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Recently, I have been receiving a lot of questions from my readers regarding the start of the school year. Whether you are getting ready for your very first year as a school counselor or are just starting at a new building, it can feel overwhelming. Where do you begin? What should you focus on? Well, here are a few of my ideas:

Building Relationships

Without positive relationships with your students, staff, and parents, you will not be able to accomplish much. School counselors are a resource for EVERYONE. Your school family must feel comfortable coming to you with their concerns and should look to you for support.
I recently posted a video podcast (left) about building relationships. In the video, I share a few ways that I have formed strong bonds with my students, staff, and parents.

For additional ideas, check out the following links:

Organizing Counseling Materials

I have found it helpful to have a routine, especially with my individual and small group counseling sessions. Students know the expectations, but have some freedom to choose how they wish to express themselves. Here are a few of my favorite and most used materials:

Documentation Prep

Documenting can be one of the most stressful parts of the job, simply because we often must push it aside to handle more pressing concerns. Then, we may let it go until there is a huge pile of paperwork to manage.
Just like with counseling materials, you should have a routine for your documentation. In June, I posted a video podcast (left) about how I record my session data.

For additional ways to document and promote your efforts, check out the following links:
Award Opportunities
(Bottom of Resource List)
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Inspiration from School Counselor Blog

07/19/2012

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Today, School Counselor Blog highlighted the "What You Say In Here, Stays In Here" banner. Since I have a new office for the 2012-2013 school year, I was excited to make this banner for myself.
I also couldn't resist making a vertical banner for my small group sessions. Much more attractive that my previous sign! 
Finally, I decided to create personalized pens for school. I don't know why, but I consistently lose my pens at meetings, classroom lessons, and during random conversations with staff. Now, they will never truly be lost.

Check out Vistaprint today!

I think the finished product is both educational and adorable. I can't wait to hang it up and start using it!

You can create your own using my "Refer a Friend" discount or order through School Counselor Blog.
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DonorsChoose.org

03/18/2012

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DonorsChoose.org is a remarkable website that allows teachers and other school educators (i.e. school counselors) to post projects. Typically, projects include items that educators may find difficult to purchase on their own due to cost. You can register and create your own project OR you can donate to others. It's a wonderful site; I know many teachers who had their projects fully funded.

Check out my project here. I'm getting a bigger office next year, so I get to create new features to my room. Unfortunately, that comes with a big price tag!

***Use the match code "BLOOM" 3/18 or 3/19 to double your donation***
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Inspirational Quotes

01/07/2012

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I have inspirational quotes posted all over my office for students and staff to read. I've included a PDF document with some of my favorites.
Inspirational Quotes
File Size: 216 kb
File Type: pdf
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Office Tour

01/04/2012

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Elementary School Counseling is slowly growing in size and scope. I will continue adding to the site over the next few months so that it TRULY is a great resource for school counselors.

To help you get to know me a little better, I decided to include my Prezi office tour. This is a wonderful site with countless practical applications.

Take my office tour below...and yes, I know, my office is a bit cluttered and small! 

A Tour of Mrs. Rex's Office on Prezi

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