Pre-K-1st Grade
Counseling Activities
June Community Celebration
Our June celebration is very special because it is the last one of the school year! Miss Pepitone, Mrs. Corley-Hand and I hope that you enjoy the slideshow, songs, and videos. This month, we are celebrating that we are "better together". Cooperation and the idea of being better together is a powerful message and this celebration may serve as a great way to start a conversation with your family! Our slideshow also includes some very special video messages to our first graders, and of course a summer birthday celebation! Enjoy!
Virtual Move Up Day
Meet the MKM Counselor, Miss Goldstein
Friday, June 12
HG Orientation Vid.mp4Virtual Move Up Day Activity
Let's Have A Growth Mindset!
Friday, June 12
Virtual Move Up Day
Growth Mindset Activity
The end of the school year is a great time to reflect! Today, help your child think about how their efforts paid off this year by practicing growth mindset. "Growth mindset" is the belief that your brain can grow and learn when you work hard and try your best. With your child, brainstorm all of the things they learned how to do this year...I know they have all done amazing things this year whether it was learning to read, write, sounding out words, drawing in art, singing whole songs in music class, etc.! Then, print out the activity below so your child can complete the growth mindset activity sheet.
**Take it a step further! Help your student brainstorm a list of things they want to learn next year!
Tolerance & Acceptance
Things To Discuss with Your Child After You Read...
"A poor choice can become a GOOD choice with thoughtfulness." Talk about a mistake that you made, and how you fixed it, apologized, or will do better next time!
"I can treat others with equality and be fair." Talk about how you treat others fairly or play fairly. How do you feel when other people treat you fairly?
"I am unique." Unique means different in a special way. What makes you special and unique?
Try this Activity at Home!
All of our skin is in different colors and shades! Go on a scavenger hunt in your home, and try to match your skin to different items or foods in your home! Ask your family members to join in with the fun!
Things To Discuss with Your Child After You Read...
How would you feel if someone said "EW, YUCK" about something that you enjoyed eating? Instead of saying "ew" or "yuck", what could you ask someone who is eating something that you've never seen or heard of before?
Food can be a great way to celebrate your culture or background. What kind of food does your family enjoy eating? Is there anything special about that food or about where your family comes from?
How did you feel about the ending of the story? Did you like the celebration? How do you think the kids felt sharing their food with classmates?
Yoga for Kids!
Below, you will find a short, 11-minute yoga video. This video incorporates yoga moves and storytelling to help your child stretch, relax, and gain better focus. Play this video on an iPad and then find a comfortable place to practice (either with a yoga mat or on carpeted surface). Enjoy!
May Community Celebration
Each month Miss Goldstein, Miss Pepitone, and Mrs. Corley-Hand lead special assemblies to celebrate our students and teach a precept. Our celebrations are filled with music, fun videos, and educational messages to promote our students' social/emotional development. We encourage you to watch our May celebration (below) and participate as a family! This month, we are celebrating our endangered species project that we worked on all year long!
Activity: Make Your Own Positive Thought Poster
Positive thoughts are kind messages that we can say to ourselves to make us feel happier. These are messages you might say to yourself if you are feeling upset about something, worried, or even when you just need a brain break! Today, I would like you to create your own positive thought poster. You can either print the coloring page below that says "Today Is Going to be Awesome!" or you can make your own poster! Be creative and be positive! Watch the video below for more ideas and to see a few samples that Miss Goldstein created herself!
MKM Positive Thoughts.mp4Today Is Going to be Awesome Coloring Page: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-U8PhnaQ1pVDumT6NCEKtfHMxR2fKY99QJ9txsh-MI/edit?usp=sharing
Read Aloud Theme: Mindfulness
I Am Peace by Susan Verde is one of my favorite books about calmness and mindfulness. Mindfulness is when we practice focusing on the right here and right now, instead of worrying about what already happened, or what could happen in future. Listen to the book below, read by the author, and see if you can practice finding peace as you listen! After the story, have fun listening to the I Am Peace Song (found below the read aloud). There are lots of fun hand gestures and movements, so join in and get your wiggles out!
Managing Big Emotions through Mindfulness & Nature
Coping with "big emotions" and negative emotions is important for all of us, but especially for our little learners. Mindfulness, the practice of being in the present moment, can be a helpful coping tool to regain control of our feelings. This week, I thought it would be fun to practice mindfulness as a family, in nature! Take a look at the Mindful Nature Walk activity below. Print it out, fill it out, or just talk about it together! Don't forget to have fun and enjoy that fresh air!
April Community Celebration
Each month Miss Goldstein, Miss Pepitone, and Mrs. Corley-Hand lead special assemblies to celebrate our students and teach a precept. Our celebrations are filled with music, fun videos, and educational messages to promote our students' social/emotional development. We encourage you to watch our April celebration (below) and participate as a family!
A Celebration of Thankfulness!
Using Gratitude as a Coping Skill
Thinking Thursday
Thinking Thursday Video.mp4Friendship Friday
Friendship Friday Video.mp4Read Aloud Theme: Handling Disappointment
By Being Creative!
Discussion Questions
Before Reading
This story is called Let's Go For a Drive by Mo Willems. In the story you are about to read, Piggy and Elephant make many plans for their drive. Share about a time that you planned for something.
For example, when I plan a trip to the beach, I usually make a list of the things I need, and check each item off as I pack. How do you plan ahead?
While Reading
As you read, take guesses about what Piggy and Elephant may need for their drive. Brainstorm the items that you bring in your car when you take a long car ride.
Practice empathy! How do you think Piggy and Elephant were feeling as they were preparing for their fun drive?
After Reading
Practice empathy! How do you think Piggy and Elephant felt when they realized they didn't have a car? How did they react?
Piggy and Elephant may have been disappointed (sad, let down) at first, but they had a positive attitude! They created a new, fun activity instead of going for a drive! We may be experiencing some disappointment at home right now, but this is a great opportunity to be like Piggy and Elephant! Play "pirate", dress up and be imaginative, or play a new board game...as long as you have fun!
March Community Celebration
Each month, Miss Goldstein and Miss Pepitone lead special assemblies to celebrate our students and teach a precept. Our celebrations are filled with music, fun videos, and educational messages to promote our students' social/emotional development. We encourage you to watch our March celebration (below) and participate as a family!
Mindful Moments
Rainbow Breath Excersice.pdfPractice Big & Small Breaths
When we take deep breaths, we breathe in through our nose like we're smelling flowers, and blow out through our mouth like we're blowing out a candle. Practice your deep breathing by following the bubbles above!
Practice Self-Control
Practice controlling your body by following along with this "melting" GoNoodle video. Remember to be calm, and keep control of your body!
Read Aloud Theme: Celebrate Our Uniqueness!
Discussion Questions
Before Reading
This story is called Not Your Typical Dragon. What does the word "typical" mean? ("normal")
What do you think "normal" or "average" dragons are like? What do you think they look like? What do you think they like to do?
While Reading
Have fun with your child while reading this funny book about being different. As you read, take guesses about what will come out of Crispin's mouth in each new location. Be creative and make up your own pages of the book. What do you think would come out of Crispin's mouth if he was in...the supermarket?...a movie theater?...create your own!
Practice empathy! If you were Crispin, how would you feel? If you were Crispin's Mom or Dad, how would you feel?
After Reading
Crispin is a very unique (different) dragon. What are 3 things that make you special or unique?