December 2021 Classroom Guidance

 

December 2021 Classroom Guidance

The topic of this month is Conflict Resolution

Kindergarten

• Reviewed what the words “Conflict” and “Resolution” mean

• Read the story “The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Friend” By Stan and Jan Berenstain then discussed the conflict and resolution

• Brainstormed a variety of strategies to try to minimize the conflict

• Practiced pre-made scenarios and how to apply one of eight strategies 

First Grade

• Read the story “Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type” By Doreen Cronin then discussed

• Reviewed the concept of conflict 

• Discussed five different conflict resolution strategies

• Practiced which strategies to apply to pre-made scenarios

Second Grade

• Read the story “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs” By Jon Scieszka and discussed

• Discussed the types of feelings that can accompany conflict

• The importance of using I statements “Talk it out” strategy

• What your body and voice should look/sound like when trying to resolve conflict

• Reviewed ten different conflict resolution strategies

• Practiced I statements together (I feel….when you…could you please….)

Third Grade

• Reviewed the concepts of conflict and resolution

• Read the story “The Zax” By Dr. Seuss and discussed

• Reviewed communication styles (passive, aggressive, assertive)

• Reviewed common roadblocks in conflict that delay resolutions

• Discussed how to make conflict better vs bigger

• Reviewed a variety of helpful steps to implement when going through conflict

Fourth Grade

• Reviewed ways to escalate and de-escalate conflict

• Reviewed common roadblocks in conflict that delay resolutions

• Discussed and reviewed ten different conflict resolution strategies

• Discussed the danger of assumptions and understanding that there are typically two sides to every story

November 2021 Classroom Guidance

November 2021 Classroom Guidance

Jewish Family Services Safe-Touch Program was presented (by JFS) to all grade levels building wide per a law that was passed in July of 2019 called "Erin's law".  It requires that all public schools in each state implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program.  

Kindergarten and First Grade

• To distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate touch.

• Three basic safety skills: say NO to an inappropriate touch; run away to a safe place; and tell a trusted adult.

• If sexual abuse were to happen to them, it is not their fault.

• To understand that private parts are those parts of the body covered by a swimsuit.

• That there are no secrets about abuse.

Second Grade and Third Grade

• To identify instinct and feelings.

• Three basic safety skills: say NO to an inappropriate touch; run away to a safe place; and tell a trusted adult.

• If sexual abuse were to happen to them, it is not their fault.

• To distinguish between a secret about touching and a surprise.

• To understand that sexual abuse can occur with people they know and trust.

• To learn effective communication skills with different subjects.

• To identify people who can help.

Fourth Grade

• To listen to their feelings and act upon them.

• To recognize physiological responses when in danger.

• Three basic safety skills: say NO to an inappropriate touch; run away to a     

safe place; and tell a trusted adult.

• If sexual abuse were to happen to them, it is not their fault.

• To identify tricks of potential abusers.

• To practice telling someone about a difficult subject.

• To identify people who can help.

October 2021 Classroom Guidance

 

October 2021 Classroom Guidance

The focus for this month is making safe and healthy choices.  

Kindergarten

• Discussed many examples (pictures) of safe/healthy choices vs unsafe/unhealthy choices

• Reviewed importance of sleep, exercise, healthy food choices, brushing teeth, hand washing, face mask placement etc)

First Grade

• Discussed what the words “healthy and safe mean”

• Reviewed “Boo Bad and Ghostly Good” choices

• Brainstormed numerous types of safe and healthy choices

• Stressed the importance of labels on items in regards to safety (danger in assumptions and touching or ingesting something that isn’t clearly labeled).  

Second Grade

• Reviewed safe (responsible) choices vs unsafe (not responsible) choices 

• All choices have consequences (positive and negative)

• Read the story “A Bad Case of Stripes” By David Shannon

• Discussed the concept of Peer Pressure

• Reviewed a variety of refusal skills

Third Grade

• Everyone has the power to make choices

• It’s important to take responsibility for the choices we make with our body an our words

• All Choices have consequences

• Discussed the concept of Peer Pressure 

• Reviewed Seven different strategies to “Just Say No”

Fourth Grade

• Watched a Kid President Video regarding the importance of choices then discussed

• All Choices have consequences

• Reviewed safe/healthy/good choices vs unsafe/unhealthy/poor choices

• Reviewed five step process of making a choice (including stop and think, options, pros/cons, consequences etc.)

• Discussed Peer Pressure and the variety of feelings that often accompany it

• Reviewed seven tips of resisting peer pressure

• Practiced in small groups using pre-made scenarios applying the five step process and refusal skills

September 2021 Classroom Guidance

 

September 2021 Classroom Guidance

Welcome back to the 2021-2022 School Year!  This is the first lesson of the year therefore we will be doing a quick introduction of myself as well as the School Counselor’s Role.  We will also review basic coping skills that students can try on their own. 

Kindergarten and First Grade 

• School Counselors are helpers

• We all have feelings 

• Reviewed different types of feelings (some are comfortable others are uncomfortable

• Read “B is for Breathe” By Dr. Melissa Munro Boyd

• Discussed variety of coping strategies shared in the story

Second Grade

• School Counselors can help in MANY ways

• We all have feelings

• Reviewed a variety of feelings, when we might have them and helpful ways to manage them (coping skills)

• Practiced grounding and breathing strategies

• How to meet with the School Counselor

Third and Fourth Grade

• School Counselors support students in a variety of ways

• Reviewed a video sharing how our brain controls our emotions (upstairs and downstairs brain)

• Reviewed coping skills

• Practiced belly breathing, 478 breathing, stopping and counting

• How to meet with the School Counselor

Week 7 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Do you know that yoga offers so many benefits to your health? Yoga can reduce your stress level, improve your sleep quality, and reminds you of the power of your breathing! Here’s an example from the book Alphabreaths. Dolphin Breath- Breathe in as you lift your arms up high. Breathe out as you imagine diving into the ocean. Can you come up with your own breathing technique?
	Emotional  What are you looking forward to when the stay-at-home order is lifted?  Things we are missing now can become what we are looking forward to in the future! Hope in the future helps us feel better! Changing missing to looking forward is an example of cognitive reframing.  You can see Ms. Carey talk about this here and use it to make a Joy Jar. Make your very own Joy Jar to hold the things you are looking forward to. What will be in your Joy Jar?
	Social  Does staying at home so much have you missing social events? What are some creative ways that you are staying connected, even at a distance?  Here is one creative way that Ms. Carey is still socializing with “friends.”  Want to share your creative ways of being social?  Put it on your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #social(ish) and tag @LadueSchools.

Week 6 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Watch this video to learn why breathing helps our brains be at their very best. Practice some deep breathing with Breath With Me, or do deep breathing by imagining a hot bowl of soup and smelling it and then cooling it down with your breath. Why is breathing so important? Every part of our body relies on oxygen. Breathing in oxygen the right way helps our brains work better, our bodies rest better, and the food we eat digest better. It keeps our immune systems at their best and reduces stress and anxiety.
	Emotional  Did you know music can help us feel our feelings and calm us at the same time? Music has taken on an even bigger role of easing the stress and uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic.   Make your own playlist of songs you can listen to when feeling overwhelmed. Click the link above for suggestions. Share your playlist with your family and friends.
	Social  Did you know the week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week? May 6 is also Nurse Appreciation Day!Did you know the week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week? May 6 is also Nurse Appreciation Day! Reach out and show some love to your teachers and nurse by sending them an email, writing them a poem, or making them a video telling them all the ways you appreciate them.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Week 5 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Did you know dancing has lots of health benefits? It can also improve your mood! Get moving and dancing by following along to some dance videos such as the Cha Cha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, the Macarena, or the YMCA (ask your parents what that is!). You can do the Floss, the Dab, or better yet… create your own and give it a fun name (e.g., the Shelter-in-Place Shuffle).
	Emotional  Are the days starting to feel long? Feel like you’re stuck in a movie that keeps replaying over and over? A great way to combat this is to use positive self-talk! Telling yourself hopeful messages is a great way to persevere. Just like Dory says in the movie Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming!”  What is a motto that you can use to stay hopeful? Better yet, create one yourself! Share it with your counselor by emailing it to her. You can also download the following doodle coloring page and when it’s complete, you can hang it in your learning space to remind you when you start to feel discouraged.
	Social  Missing your friends? Craving connection? There are lots of ways to stay connected even during this time of social distancing. Host a virtual play date for your friends! Here are some ideas: have a show and tell, do a read-aloud with a friend, do a lip-synch battle, ask “would you rather” questions, or have a dance party!  Click here for even more ideas!

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team

Week 4 Let's 'Due Resiliency Together

Our aim is not to overwhelm you or your students during an already overwhelming time, so please know these resources and activities are not "have-to's.” Pick and choose any or all of these activities as ways to support the overall social and emotional growth of your child(ren).
	Physical  Did you know doing chores is a great way to get exercise?  Make a list of all the things you can do at home to help out AND get moving. Helpful ideas: Unload the dishwasher, vacuum the floor, take out the trash, pick up after yourself, fold the laundry.
	Emotional  Did you know doing something nice for someone else makes them and you feel better?  Kind ideas: Make a card or poster for your parents or another loved one. Leave a message on the bathroom mirror or their pillow.  Decorate their bedroom door.
	Social  What is for dinner?  Meals are a great time to socialize and connect with family members. Click here for some examples of fun conversation starters. Yummy ideas: Make a simple meal to serve the family and/or come up with something to talk about when you are sharing a meal with your family. Make it extra special by decorating the table.

Provided by your Ladue Elementary School Counselors & Social Emotional Behavioral Team