Beginning of Year

I just finished meeting with students over the past two weeks for our first Guidance Lesson.  

Every year I start off by reading a book that I create about myself.  It is nothing fancy!  Just a Big Book made from poster board that goes like this....

Welcome to Guidance
My name is Mrs. Harrell. (picture of me)
I am the school counselor. (silly picture of a school counselor)
However, I once was a student just like you. (pictures of me when I was in school)
I have a family. (pictures of my family)
I love my family and my family loves me. (more pictures of my family)
When I am not working, then I love to travel. (pictures on vacation)
This is my office. (picture of office)
My job is to help students solve problems and learn new things. (rest of book is clip art images)
I want you to be the best you can be! 
You can always come visit me when you need to talk to someone about
school, home, friends, or anything on your mind.
Everything you say to me stays in my office unless you are hurting yourself, hurting someone else, or someone is hurting you.  Then, I have to let someone else know, so you can be safe.
I will come visit with your class for Guidance lessons and teach you many new things to help you be a great person.
I also meet with students individually and in small groups.
I hope we have a great school year.

{Hope you can create a BIG book about yourself and add your special touch!}

{counseling hearts}

Swimmy

Swimmy

{Back to School Favorite Lesson 2}

From Barnes & Noble

Swimmy is a happy black fish who lives in a school of red fish until a big tuna eats all of his brothers and sisters. Lonely and sad, Swimmy searches the sea and finally finds another school of red fish. These fish are too frightened to swim in the ocean, so Swimmy comes up with a plan: all the red fish swim close together in the shape of one giant fish, and black Swimmy is the eye!

Pinterest Board Link for IDEAS

I use Swimmy to help the class understand that we

are all ONE!

First, we read the book

&&&

then DISCUSS!

We first discuss their classroom rules:

What are they?

Why do we have rules?

Then, we discuss individuality.

What does it mean to be an individual?

Is it okay to be ourselves?

{yes}

Being a group:

How can we be an individual in a group setting?

Why should we stick together?

Then, I tell them that I or the teacher of their class

is the EYE!

We lead you, guide you, teach you,

and help you grow.

In order to grow as a class, we have to work together.

TEAMWORK!

Students then all work together to create a classroom pledge.

Depending on the age, you will need to guide them through this process.

Typically, you can help them come up with something similar to this:

Our class pledges to work together, respect one another, stand up for one another against bullies,

follow the rules to keep us safe, and help each other grow this year.

After we write our pledge on butcher paper.

I like to cut one like a big FISH!

Every student gets a red fish.

They can sign their name to the fish

{taking the pledge}

and we create a large fish!

Now, there is one black fish for the eye

to represent YOU!

 Check out my Pinterest Board for a picture of this Bulletin Board.

{just keep swimming}

The Kissing Hand

Back to School

{Favorite Lesson 1}

One of my all time favorite lessons to do with students is:

The Kissing Hand

Barnes and Noble Link

Let me start by saying that when I originally had the idea to start a back to school series, I envisioned myself pulling out all of files and recreating my documents to share....

&&& then...

I thought teachers BEG, BORROW, and STEAL!

So, I pulled out my files and made a list of my favorite lessons.

None of these are my original ideas, so where can you quickly find your favorite lessons in one easy spot?????

{because I promise your lessons have been used before}

Pinterest of course!

So, I am going to put together Pinterest Boards for you guys to quickly find anything you need on these favorite lessons.

--

Back to Kissing Hand

I use this lesson to discuss feelings.

How do you feel the first day of school?

Are you anxious, nervous, scared, shy, happy, excited, sad?

We read the book and then we begin my favorite part.

Discussing!!!

What are feelings?

It is okay to have different feelings!

This link takes you directly to many ideas I have used for years

and a few new ones I can't wait to try out!

The Kissing Hand

More Back to School Lessons to come!

I hope you enjoy using these to create your own lessons

and reach many lil hearts this year!

love,

{Counseling Hearts}

Back to School Series

I am going to begin a series of Back to School Lessons.
These are my favorite lessons to get the year going.
They are great for teachers and counselors!


One thing I encourage you to keep in mind is....
If you do not own -or- your local school library does not own
a book I recommend, then dig through your stash and find one that you can incorporate!


Check back this week for some GREAT free lessons!!!