Adventures in the Counseling World
From the desk of Mallory Malone
Classroom Lessons
In kindergarten we have been working on I love you rituals and learning more about the feelings buddies. We are learning more about the four main feelings and how we can help them when they experience being, sad, angry, scared, and happy.
1st and 2nd Grade-Conflict Resolution-Kelso's Choices
We have begun learning about an exciting conflict management program called Kelso’s Choice. This program features a frog named Kelso, who teaches students to differentiate between small problems that they can solve and big problems that are more serious or dangerous and require help from an adult.
The following strategies are being taught to help students recognize they can solve minor conflicts in a positive way. They are to try two of the strategies:
1. Go to another game or activity.
2. Share and take turns.
3. Respectfully talk it over and listen to each other.
4. Walk away from the problem.
5. Ignore the problem behavior.
6. Tell the person to stop the problem behavior.
7. Apologize.
8. Make a deal or compromise.
9. Cool off.
Additionally, I will encourage students to report more serious situations to the nearest trusted adult. If you have not already received the poster I will make a copy for you to hang up as a reference for students. Please encourage your students to use this tool. My goal is for us to have problem solvers who know how to handle conflict.
3rd Grade-6th Grade Diversity and Tolerance
For the next three meetings we will focus on diversity and tolerance.
3rd and 4th grade listened to a story about a frog who did not like the new skunk and her family after they moved to the neighborhood. Frog did not have a good reason why he didn't like them, just that they were skunks and skunks smell. After they had a conversation they learned that they had a lot in common and became friends.
5th and 6th grade are watching a video about Nick Vujucic, No Arms, No Legs, No Worries. He talks about over coming obstacles and how being different was difficult but he was able to push past it and become successful by achieving the goals he set for himself.
We are also learning some new vocabulary words, diversity, discrimination, culture, community, equality, prejudice, sexisum (5th and 6th grade), and feminism (5th and 6th grade). At the end of the session, each class will make a diversity puzzle to represent their differences in their classroom community.
Start with Hello Week
Start with Hello Week kicks off February 6- February 10. Hundreds of schools across the United States will participate in Start With Hello WeeK. Start With Hello Week raises awareness and educates students and the community through Start With Hello Activities. Make sure to participate in spirit week! We will also have icebreakers each morning on the announcements to help students learn new ways to connect with people. On Wednesday during lunch Character Council will pass out random acts of kindness to students. Thank you for your support!!!
Monday 2/6 ~”Superhero Day!”
*Superheroes are here to save the day. Stomping out social isolation. Wear your favorite superhero t-shirt.
Tuesday 2/7 “United we Stand” *All grade levels will unite by dressing up in the same color.
K-Blue
1-Green
2-Red
3-Purple
4-Yellow
5-Orange
6-Pink
Wednesday 2/8~ “Wacky Wednesday!” *Mix it up day
Play with someone different at recess or sit with a different friend at lunch.
Thursday 2/9~ Share your favorite story with a friend!” *Dress up as your favorite book character.
Friday 2/10 ~ “Go Pirates!” *Wear your purple and gold we are a united community