As a school counselor, I know we’re always looking for practical tools to better understand our students and support them more effectively. One of my favorite tools to use– that’s both insightful and easy to use– is the forced choice survey, and if you haven’t used one yet, you’re about
As school counselors, one of our most important responsibilities is helping students learn how to protect themselves — emotionally, physically, and socially. Erin’s Law, passed in many states across the U.S., reinforces this crucial mission by requiring schools to teach children about personal body safety and how to report abuse.
Way back in the day, I didn’t give attending a professional school counselor conference any consideration at all. I was a recent grad, had no extra money, and didn’t have time. Fast forward a few years and I had a toddler and twin babies that I couldn’t leave, still no
During day 2 with the 8th graders, I wanted to expand on the values lesson from yesterday (click here for the values lesson). We discussed the quote, “Values are like fingerprints. Nobodies are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do.” First, we talked about goals. This
When I was in grad school a million years ago, we often used timelines when talking with clients. When I began working as a school counselor, primarily with juniors and seniors and concentrating on the college admission process, I rarely pulled out the timeline. Working at a middle school, however,
Here is one of my newest games on TpT! The Bully Buster Dice game will help students learn what to do when they are being bullied. Just roll the dice, pick a card, and then address and talk about the situation from the perspective of the bully, the bystander, or
Transitioning to middle school is not a throw-it-together-in-one-day event. In fact, it takes months of planning and prepping. My process for transition is as follows: January— Send an email to 4th grade teachers at the elementary school to begin planning dates for transition visits. March— Confirm dates for visits. Talk
I don’t always do separate lessons for my girls groups and my boys groups, but this one I did just for the boys. I knew that I wanted them to have an understanding of what integrity was, so as they were eating their lunches I started to ask them what
Recently, during Lunch Bunch I wanted to be able to see if my students remembered the skills we have been working on. I made this game as a way for them to practice their team building skills, as well as to reinforce all the topics we have covered. I started
One of my favorite lessons to do during lunch bunch is the lesson revolving around the book Enemy Pie. I like to tell the story of my childhood enemy turned friend Tony. It goes a little something like this: When I was in middle school, I had an enemy and
Divorce can be stressful, sad, and confusing for children. At any age, children may have feelings of uncertainty or be angry at the prospect of their mom and dad not being together anymore. I make it a point to discuss with kids in grades 5-8 about divorce. Getting students to
Being a young adult is hard..Trying to figure out who you truly are, fitting in, keeping up with the expectations of teachers and family. All of these things can be overwhelming and stressful. Sometimes, the best thing you can give your students is a little bit of encouragement or an
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