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!

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!

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!

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

Movie clips are a great way to illustrate concepts.

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

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

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

I use books ALL the time to teach specific concepts.

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

This is great way to manage small group behaviors!

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.

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.

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.

Blue "Listening" Owl

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

My Artwork on Display

Cover

Inside Pages

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

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.