Counseling in the classroom

Kinder and 1st Grade 

Hi CDM Families, 

This month in counseling, our focus has been on empathy and care. Students explored the difference between expected and unexpected behaviors at school and discussed how their choices can affect the feelings of others.

We also talked about how to care for one another by:

• Showing kindness through our words and actions

• Recognizing when someone may be in the Blue Zone or Red Zone

• Responding to others with empathy, patience, and support

Students learned that empathy means trying to understand how another person may be feeling so we can respond with kindness and care. To celebrate their learning, each student drew an act of kindness on a heart. 

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by asking: “What is one kind action you can do to help someone feel cared for?”

2nd grade: 

Hi CDM Families,

This month in counseling, our focus has been on empathy, embracing differences, and treating everyone with kindness.

What We Learned:

Students explored how we are all wonderfully unique and different. We discussed the difference between expected and unexpected behaviors at school and how our choices impact the feelings of others.

• Expected behaviors like including others, using kind words, and listening help everyone feel cared for even when someone is different from us.

• Unexpected behaviors like leaving others out or using unkind words can hurt feelings and make people feel lonely.

Students also learned that empathy means trying to understand how another person may be feeling so we can respond with kindness and care especially when someone is different from us.

Being proud of who you are

To celebrate their learning, each student created a beautiful self-portrait showing what makes them special and unique. Through this activity, students learned:

• "It's great to be different!"

• "Everyone should be treated with care and kindness."

• "Our differences make our classroom stronger and more beautiful."

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by asking: "What is one expected behavior you can use to help everyone feel included?"

3rd Grade

Hi CDM Families,

This month in counseling, our third-grade students focused on empathy and the importance of including others. Students explored how expected and unexpected behaviors can affect how others feel, especially when someone is left out or included.

We discussed ways to help everyone feel welcomed and valued by:

• Inviting others to join an activity or game

• Using kind and encouraging words

• Recognizing when someone may feel lonely or left out

• Considering another person’s feelings and perspective

• Choosing expected behaviors that show kindness and empathy

To demonstrate their learning, students created their own CDM Empathy Dragons and shared examples of expected behaviors that help others feel included, respected, and cared for.

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by asking: “What can you do to help someone feel included and valued?”

4th and 5th grade

Hi CDM Families,

This month in counseling, our fourth-grade students focused on the importance of showing kindness to others. Students practiced considering different perspectives and explored how expected and unexpected actions can affect other people’s feelings.

We discussed ways to show kindness by:

• Using respectful and encouraging words

• Recognizing how unexpected actions may hurt or upset others

• Choosing expected actions that help others feel safe, respected, and valued

• Responding with empathy, patience, and care

• Including others vs excluding

Students demonstrated their learning by reflecting on expected behaviors vs sharing how unexpected actions might make others feel.

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by asking: “How might your words and actions make another person feel?”

6th Grade

Hi CDM Families,

This month in counseling, our sixth-grade students focused on gossip and how it can affect both the person being talked about and the people sharing it. Students discussed what it means to be kind and respectful at school and outside of school.

We talked about ways to make thoughtful choices by:

• Recognizing the difference between chatting about shared interests, such as shows, music, or celebrities, and spreading rumors about someone

• Considering how gossip can affect friendships, feelings, and trust

• Using simple ways to stop gossip, such as changing the subject or choosing not to pass a story along

• Thinking before sending or forwarding messages in group chats and texts

Students also discussed how messages sent outside of school can affect people and the school environment when those conversations carry onto campus.

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by asking: “If a conversation or group chat turns into gossip, what could you do?”