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Ron Clark Week (Part 3)

8/30/2012

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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)

8/29/2012

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Book
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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)

8/26/2012

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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.
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Little ol' awesome me!
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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

8/25/2012

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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

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

8. Movies

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Movie clips are a great way to illustrate concepts.

6. Play-Doh

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

4. Video Camera

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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

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

7. Books

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I use books ALL the time to teach specific concepts.

5. Whoonu

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

 3. Happy Cup and Sad Cup

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This is great way to manage small group behaviors!

2. Portable Sandtray

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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

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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

8/22/2012

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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...
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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.

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

8/21/2012

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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.
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PDF Copies
File Size: 232 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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

Here's what I use...

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Cover
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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

More about how I document...

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The Dove Social Mission

8/19/2012

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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

8/19/2012

4 Comments

 
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)
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School-Wide

Posters for my Core Value Bulletin Board
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Pinterest Party

8/17/2012

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On Thursday, August 16th, all 8 elementary school counselors in my district got together for a Pinterest Party! Each school counselor brought materials for at least one project. It was unbelievably fun and energizing! I thought I'd share some of the projects we made, with links to the actual Pinterest activities. Also, two of my brave colleagues agreed to explain a couple of their ideas on camera. Enjoy!
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Tear-Off Posters
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The "What Can I Do?" Can
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Pool Noodle Stress Balls
Positive Reinforcement Buttons
Stephanie Moore
Rumors (Glitter Hand Sanitizer)
Renee Stack
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Staff Morale Tear-Off Poster
Stephanie made one for each of us!
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Quiet Spray
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Flower Pens
16 Comments

Quilted Memories

8/15/2012

2 Comments

 
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I don't know about you, but each and every school year I receive at least 10 new t-shirts. While I love a nice tee as much as the next person, I can only wear one at a time...well, fashionably, that is.

I decided that I wanted to take half of my t-shirt collection and make a quilt, but unfortunately, I am not the most talented quilter out there - my sewing machine always breaks, taunting me with each thread jam.

Therefore, I chose to call in the professionals so that my precious shirts (and school spirit) would not be damaged. Campus Quilt Company to the rescue! 
Campus Quilt Company offered professional service and a high quality product. As I spread out my gorgeous quilt, my cat decided to test it out for himself. As you can see, he approves!
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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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