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Creative Grouping for Classroom Lessons

6/29/2012

2 Comments

 
When grouping students, it's important to vary the structure of each group. Otherwise, students will often choose the same friend over and over again. 

To divide students, try asking them to make "appointments" with each other. You can use a clock (12:00 partner, 3:00 partner, 6:00 partner, 9:00 partner) or any other object, such as a pizza. For example, when using the pizza sample (below), if someone had a blank cheese spot open, they can only schedule with a student who also has a blank cheese appointment; the toppings must match when scheduling partners. 

When you are ready for students to work with their partners, all you have to say is: "Now, it's time to meet with your 'cheese partner' to discuss __________."  This is an easy way to do a Think-Pair-Share. 
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You can use the same partner sheet over the course of a unit or change it up for each lesson. Either way, you can encourage students to meet and work with new people.

Download your own pizza template below. 
PDF
File Size: 30 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

WORD doc
File Size: 37 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

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I (Heart) School Counseling

6/29/2012

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Elementary School Counseling.org was featured on a new blog called I (Heart) School Counseling. This blog is meant to highlight great school counseling ideas, so check it out! Maybe you'll be featured next!
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Pets Are Family

6/27/2012

9 Comments

 
I was being lazy on the couch this afternoon and stumbled upon an HBO documentary called One Nation Under Dog: Stories of Fear, Loss and Betrayal. This film deeply affected me; in fact, I have spent the last few hours crying and thinking about my own childhood dog, Cookie.
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Dogs are a special type of animal - they love you without question and support you, regardless of whether you are at your best or your worst. It is easy to hear about the loss of a pet and wonder why the owner is grieving so profoundly. As school counselors, we must be sensitive to our students' and their families' needs. Grief over a pet can affect a student at school just as much, if not more, than the loss of a human being. In some cases, students are able to connect with their pet in a way they cannot or have not with anyone else.
This is the reason I want to incorporate a therapy dog into my school counseling practice. Of course, I need to wait until I get a house with a yard, but I have been planning this in my head for a while. Having a trained dog at my school could motivate students (imagine earning time to walk, feed, or play with the dog) and provide an even more calming office environment. Of course, I need to talk with other school counselors about how they dealt with students or staff with a fear of dogs, especially if a student had been attacked by an animal in the past. Any thoughts? 
Finally, I wanted to share one of my favorite books about the death of a pet. I Remember is a story about a little boy and his dog, Jake. When Jake dies, the boy must find a way to cope with the loss without feeling guilty and worried about forgetting Jake.

Also, for the appropriate situation, Dog Heaven and Cat Heaven are two additional books that you may find helpful.
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For the pet owners out there, give your "babies" a big hug for me! I'll do the same, but I can't promise my cats will enjoy it. They can be a little moody, haha. ;)

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Do you have a great pet story? Have you ever run a small group that focused on dealing with the loss of a pet? If so, comment below!
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Big Bad Cancer

6/24/2012

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This July will mark my 3rd year volunteering with Camp Quality Ohio, a volunteer-run summer camp for children with cancer and their siblings. I work as a companion, which means that I am paired with one child for the entire week. My job is to be my camper's friend and mentor, but most of all, my job is to make sure that he or she has FUN!

When thinking about children with cancer, we often picture little kids with no hair, hospital beds, and IV's. We tend to forget about the other kids who suffer: siblings. I wanted to share two powerful videos to help remind all of us to treat all students, even those who are struggling more indirectly, with kindness and understanding.
Want to volunteer at a Camp Quality near you?
Contact your state camp for more information. Also, please feel free to contact me with questions.
Within the next few days, I plan to post my resources for both illness and grief. These will go in my individual and small group counseling sections. Stay tuned!
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My Top 5 Favorite Puppets

6/23/2012

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1. Tim

Of course Tim is my favorite and most versatile puppet! We're best buds. I couldn't survive a school year without my partner in crime. Click here to buy your own.
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2. Pack Rat

This is one of my most quirky puppets. My students love to look at him because of his engaging features. I use this puppet to talk about hoarding, stealing, and moving. This adorable puppet has his own backpack, which lends itself to many topics.

Purchase your own pack rat here.
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3. Career Puppets

My students are drawn to these "community helper" puppets. I use them to explore careers with younger students and as discussion starters with older students.

Want a set of your own? Click here.
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4. Porcupine

This SOFT porcupine is a great way to discuss the walls we put up to emotionally protect ourselves. Cute and educational. You can't beat that!

Click here to buy your own.
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5. Puppet Pals

What a perfect way to interact with a student! You take one puppet, they take the other. Also, these puppets are a wonderful way to discuss family dynamics.

You can find these Lakeshore Puppet Pals here.
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4 Comments

Video Podcast: "Document! Document! Document!"

6/23/2012

6 Comments

 
To view and download the forms discussed in this podcast, click here.
6 Comments

Updates and Smile Cards

6/17/2012

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Before I highlight this awesome resource, I want to apologize for being relatively non-existent for the past few weeks. My web presence has been lacking, to say the least. Now that I'm a bit more rested and rejuvenated, I will be updating my site regularly.

I plan to:
  • Make more video podcasts
  • Post ASCA standards with ALL of my lessons
  • Finish my Storybird audiobooks
  • Post about my documentation system
  • and MORE!

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And now...a super cool resource! At www.helpothers.org, you can find random acts of kindness ideas, stories, join a "smile group," and order FREE smile cards. I used these cards to write anonymous kind messages to staff members and to encourage them to do the same. It was VERY rewarding to help others feel appreciated.
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    My name is Marissa Rex and I am a 1st Grade teacher and an elementary school counselor from Ohio. I hope you enjoy my site!

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