Week of 5/12- Closing
This is our last counseling lesson of the school year. We read The End and discuss what we are going to miss/remember about 4th grade and what we are looking forward to in 5th grade.
Ask your child: What is your favorite counseling lesson of this year?
Week of 4/22: Understanding Differences
This week, we read We're all Wonders and discuss the things we love about us that sets us apart. Then, students draw a name and write a letter to a peer about something that they admire about them.
Ask your child: What is something you appreciate about yourself? What is something others appreciate about you?
Week of 3/31- Test Anxiety (Test Taking Strategies)
This week, we read The Anti Test Anxiety Society and discuss several test taking and worry-reducing strategies that can be used during any test. Then, we do a progressive muscle relaxation video together (which bonuses as another strategy students can use when they start to feel anxious during testing).
Ask your child: How do you feel about the STAAR test coming up? What’s one of the strategies you will use if you feel yourself getting distracted or anxious?
Week of 3/17- Making Healthy Choices*
This week we discuss healthy choices and how these choices affect our lifelong wellness.
Ask your child: What healthy choices do we have in our daily routine? Is there anything we can change or add?
Week of 2/24- Career Exploration
This week, we discuss our strengths and how that can relate to our future careers. Students look at their skills and qualities and find a career that aligns with their interests.
Ask your child: What are some of your strengths? What is a career idea that goes along with that strength?
Week of 2/10: Understanding the Safe Use of Prescription & OTC Medication*
We learn about safe and unsafe use prescription and over the counter medicines. We also discuss the benefits of medicine when used correctly.
Ask your child: With your child, conduct a safety check of the prescription and over the counter medicines in your house.
Make sure that:
Medicines are stored in a location separate from food and chemicals
All medication kept out of the reach of children
Medicines stored in their original containers
Keep purses and bags with medication out of the reach of children
Poison control number is posted somewhere where everyone can see it or knows where it is
Week of 2/4: NSCW Activities
Check out the books and activities in honor of National School Counseling Week.
Week of 1/27: Effects of Nicotine Use*
We learn the harmful effects of using tobacco. We discuss the short-term and long-term effects of secondhand smoke, and we practice refusing peer pressure in situations involving tobacco.
Rationale: Alcohol use negatively affects the healthy development of the adolescent brain. Knowledge of the physical consequences of alcohol promotes a perception of harm related to underage alcohol use. Normative education methods effectively correct misconceptions about behavior.
Ask your child: What are some of the short and long-term effects of using tobacco? How could these keep you from reaching your personal goals?
Week of 1/13: Substance Abuse (Alcohol)*
We list the harmful effects of alcohol use on the developing brain and on behavior. Then, we discuss the effect of alcohol use on the ability to reach one's goals. Next, we compare perceived norms to actual prevalence of alcohol use. Lastly, we demonstrate the effective use of peer-pressure refusal strategies in a variety of situations involving alcohol.
Rationale: Alcohol use negatively affects the healthy development of the adolescent brain. Knowledge of the physical consequences of alcohol promotes a perception of harm related to underage alcohol use. Normative education methods effectively correct misconceptions about behavior.
Ask your child: What are some of your long term goals and how would drinking alcohol under age affect them? What are some of the negative effects of drinking alcohol while your brain is still developing?
Week of 12/9: Managing Peer Pressure
This week, we learn 6 peer-pressure refusal strategies and practice using them in a variety of situations.
(Say “No” | Walk away | Ignore | Make an Excuse | A Better Idea | A broken record)
Ask your child: What strategy do you like best and why?
Week of 11/18: Personal Safety
District Personal Safety Lesson
Ask your child: Discuss the lesson and safety tips for your family
Week of 11/6- Bonding & Relationships*
This week, we discuss healthy qualities of friendship. We learn what it takes to be a good friend s and discussed the benefits of choosing friends with healthy friendship qualities.
Ask your child: What qualities do you think are most important in a friendship?
October 28-11/1: Healthy Choices Week
Here's the virtual classroom all students will have access to this week. Click around to see the videos, stories, and games.
Week of 10/21- Bullying/Cyberbullying
This week, we review the definition of bullying (When someone is mean Several Times on Purpose or one single, significant act). Students discuss the difference between bullying and drama. Next, students learn what to do if they or someone they know are being bullied (report to a trusted adult, or drop an anonymous note in Mrs. Watkins box). Students learn the power of kindness and create a BOO BUDDY for a classmate.
Ask your child: What's the difference between bullying and drama? What would you do if believe you or your friend was being bullied?
Week of 10/7- Effective Communication*
This week, we learn the role of the Speaker and Listener in the communication process. We discuss the characteristics of an assertive speaker and practice applying them. We also practice being an active listener by showing care and respect to the person speaking.
Roles of speaker: Speak up & Stay on topic Roles of Listener: Lean in & ask clarifying questions
Ask your child: Take turns practicing the roles of the listener and speaker with the following questions:
If you could have any job, what would it be and why?
What is the best gift you have ever received and what made it so special?
What really scares you and why?
How are you and I alike? How are we different?
Week of 9/23- Managing Emotions*/ Time to ACT
This week, we learn there are different words we can use to describe the intensities of emotions. We learn how to identify our emotions, and discuss healthy ways to manage emotions so they don’t become overwhelming. We end with a game that helps us recognize the emotions of others by observing facial expressions.
Ask your child: What physical signals do you get with different emotions? What are four healthy ways you can manage anger?
Week of 9/9- Making Responsible Decisions*
This week, we learn that when we stop to think about a positive outcome and consider the positive and negative consequences before taking action, we are more likely to make good, healthy choices, and we will be more confident in ourselves.
Ask your child: What does a responsible decision look like? What are the steps to making a responsible decision ? (Answer: stop, think, act, reflect)
Conflict Resolution Upper 3-6.mp4Week of 9/3: *VIRTUAL* Conflict Resolution
This week students will watch this conflict resolution video. We go over our SOAR STRATEGY poster and focus on effective communication in conflict resolution.
The steps are:
ask the person to talk privately
share how you feel in a calm tone
listen without interrupting
check for understanding and acknowledge feelings
active listening
brainstorm solutions
find a solution that works for everyone (win-win)
create a plan for the future
agree- forgive & move on
Ask your child: What is one conflict resolution strategy you can use at recess? Which of the conflict discussion steps is the most difficult for you?
Week of 8/26: Setting reachable goals*
This week, we learn the 6 steps to reaching a goal and discuss how goal boosters are people who support and encourage us as we work to reach a goal. Here are the 6 steps: 1. Name it. 2. Picture yourself reaching it. 3. Say “I can!” 4. Think how you can do it 5. Go for it! 6. Celebrate your success!
Ask your child: What is an academic goal you have? What is a personal goal you have? What is a way that I can help you reach one or both of these goals?
2024 Intro Video.mp4Week of 8/13: Video Intro
This week, teachers share the following video with students. It briefly describes the role of a school counselor, shares an office tour, and reminds students how to request to talk to Mrs. Watkins. Minute Meetings begin this week, where I meet with every 3-6th grade student to check in.
Ask your child: If you were feeling sad at school? Who could you talk to? How can you request to talk?
*Denotes lessons from Too Good For Drugs Curriculum
