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Week of  5/13- Closing 

This is our last counseling lesson elementary school. We spend time reflecting on some of our favorite memories and counseling lessons. Students receive the letters they wrote themselves last year. We read One and write a letter to someone who has made an impact on us during our time at SCE. Then, we share how we will be the one for someone else next year in JH. 

Ask your child: What is something you will miss about Spring Creek? What are you excited about for junior high?

Week of 4/27: Street Drugs & Course Review*

This week we discuss the dangerous effects of using inhalants and street drugs. We also reviewed the information we learned during the program. 

Ask your child: What are some of the healthy ways you will practice to manage your emotions? What are some of the peer pressure refusal strategies you can use?

Week of 3/31- Coping Pressures and Test Taking Strategies

This week, we discuss pressure, stress and how to deal with it. Students analyze the lyrics to Surface Pressure from Encanto. We learn the zones of pressure (what each one means and how to move from zone to zone). We discuss a few green zone strategies, test taking tips, and coping strategies. Then students fill in their stress plan. 

Ask your child: What stress zone are you in right now for the STAAR? What can you do to get you back to the green zone?

Week of 3/17: Substance Abuse (Over the Counter & Prescription Medicines)*

We discuss risk and the developmental aspects of risk-taking. The, we differentiate between healthy and unhealthy risks and predict their outcomes. Next, we incorporate risk analysis into the Think Step of Decision-Making Model. Finally, we identify the harmful effects of abusing over-the-counter and prescription medications on the brain and the body, and we differentiate the appropriate use and the abuse of medications. 

Rationale: The teenage brain is predisposed to impulsive behavior and risk-taking as the executive functions managed by the frontal lobe develop. Adolescents who understand and can manage risks are better able to predict the outcomes of their actions enabling them to make better, more responsible decisions. Adolescents often underestimate the addictive nature and dangerous effects of the misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Establishing a clear perception of harm about these drugs builds protections within adolescent to mitigate the risk of abuse.

Ask your child: What is the difference between a healthy and unhealthy risk? Tell me more about risk-analysis and the Think Step of the Decision-Making Model?

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- Effects of THC and Marijuana Use*

This week, we learn that marijuana negatively affects the brain and its performance. We apply our decision-making skills and discuss how marijuana could be a roadblock to reach goals and becoming a healthy, confident person. 

Ask your child: What are some of the negative effects of marijuana? What should you do if someone offers you marijuana at school?

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* 

This week we learn the negative short-term and long-term effects of using tobacco products as well as the stages of addiction. 

Ask your child: What is a negative consequence of using tobacco. 

Week of 1/13: JH Transition pt. 2

Today we look over sample course cards and get a better idea of what course selection will look like. Students will get a basic understanding of some of the classes offered next year. We discuss the counselor visit scheduled on 1/24.

Ask your child: What are you thinking about taking next year? Is there anything you are worried about?

Week of 12/16: JH Transition pt. 1

Today we discuss basic vocabulary and what to expect next year in JH high.  We will discuss our walking field trip scheduled on Thursday 1/9. 

Ask your child: What are you thinking about taking next year? Is there anything you are worried about?

Week of 12/9- Effects of Alcohol Use*

Today we learn about the negative effects that drinking alcohol can have on the brain and body. We discuss media influence and how messages promoting alcohol are designed to sell an image, not necessarily to portray reality. 

Ask your child: What are some strategies you might use to refuse peer pressure to drink alcohol?

Week of 11/18- Bonding & Relationships*

This week, we learn 9 peer-pressure refusal strategies. We discuss how peer behavior, both positive and negative, is a strong influence on decision making. 

Ask your child: What are some of the refusal strategies? Give me an example of your favorite one.

Week 11/6- Effective Communication*

This week, we learn effective communication skills. We discuss the characteristics of a confident and  assertive speaker, and we learn how to be  an active listener by showing care and respect for the person speaking. 

Ask your child:  What are the characteristics of an assertive speaker? How can you be an active listener?

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

This week, we go through the district 6th grade bullying sldes. (please see below) As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions. 

Ask your child: What would you do if you or a friend was getting bullied? How would you know it is bullying?

Week of 10/7- Managing Emotions

This week, we learn how to identify our emotions and discuss healthy ways to manage them so that they don’t become overwhelming. We discuss the consequences of decisions based on emotions and we learn that when we can recognize how our emotions influence our decisions, we are better prepared to make thoughtful, healthy choices. 

Ask your child: What are the degrees of intensities of emotions? Can you give an example of an extreme emotion of fear and anger?

Week of 9/23: Signs of Suicide (SOS) + How to ACT

This week, we complete the Signs of Suicide Program together. You can learn more about this program by clicking here. There's tips for talking to your child, clips from the video, as well as information about the signs we discussed.  

Ask your child: What does ACT stand for? Check out the parent SOS information and talk to your child about what you learn. 

Week of 9/9-  Making Responsible Decisions*

This week, we learn  that when we stop to consider the positive and negative consequences of our decisions before taking action, we are more likely to make good, healthy choices, and we will be more confident in ourselves. We discuss the decision making skills of STOP, think, act, and reflect

Ask your child: What does a responsible decision look like? What are the steps to making a responsible decision ?

Week 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 or 8/26: Setting reachable goals*

This week, we learn how to set a reachable goal. We discuss the steps to setting and reaching goals and talk about the people in our lives that help support us as we work toward our goals. 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?

Week 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