I'm starting a new series of guest blogging on Life on the Fly. Collaboration isn't just a "buzz word" for me, it's what I live and breathe each day. I want to share what counselors all across the state (and nation) are doing at their schools and give different perspectives of how you can implement an effective school counseling program. Maybe you have a great idea but don't have the time or desire to write a regular blog; this is your chance! If you would like to share a great idea and be a guest blogger, let me know.
Rebecca Atkins is a veteran and brilliant school counselor at Cameron Park Elementary School in Hillsborough, NC. She previously worked in Wake County and has been the school counselor of the year for NCSCA and Wake County. She has a blog connected to her great Cameron Park school website found here.
I am so excited to do a guest post here at Life on the Fly. Angela and I know each other in "real life" so I am stoked to be able to that we can now connect blog-style.
With the increase in pressure related to standardized testing, I have doubled my focus on academic counseling and support. In the past, elementary counselors didn't do too much with academics and seemed to learn towards the feelings side of things. Well, my friends, the writing is on the wall and passing the test academic success is the number one things on everyone's minds.
Over a two weeks span I am going to be starting academic groups for 51 students. Whew- have I lost my mind?! Maybe! I run groups for 3-5 during lunch and will be having 3rd, 4th, and 5th academic groups every day except for Thursday (Lunch Bunch Day). I have already talked about how I choose students and how we focus on goal setting over on my blog. I thought over here on Life on the Fly, we could talk about some of the fun activities that we do and even include a FREE PRINTABLE!
Adults aren't the only ones feeling a lot of pressure! s The kids are being crushed by the amount of pressure they are under. This is in elementary school! As part of our academic achievement group, we talk a lot about handling stress and pressure. Of my 51 students starting the group, almost half had teachers rate handling stress and pressure as one of their top two areas of concern. Because of this, we have 2 sessions related to managing stress.
How does stress affect our brain? Bottom line- stress is bad for our memory. What is learning? A lot of remembering! To make this point we watch a YouTube video about scientific research into stress and memory. We discuss why stress is bad for memory and how memory is related to learning. The kids in the group are always really interested in this connection and eager to share their stresses. i ask students to write down things that cause them stress on a post-it. While they are working, I divide the white board into four quadrants: home, school, friends, and other. When students have finished a post-it, they can place it in the appropriate quadrant.
Once our white board is full, we read them aloud -- stacking like items together -- and brainstorm ways to manage that stress. As the students talk, I write their ideas on the board. When we're done we have a list of ideas about managing stress. I take a picture with my phone and print the picture to place in their group folder.
In our next lesson, we pinpoint a big stressor: test anxiety. Since this session is towards the end of the group, it usually takes place a few weeks before our big state-mandated test. Test anxiety is on everyone's minds! To make it fun -- we play a game! Here is your amazing FREE PRINTABLE! To play -- each person rolls a die and then completes the calming strategy listed. When you've rolled that number you can cross out the picture. First person to cross off 6 numbers wins! If you roll the same number twice, you get to practice that strategy again!
I hope you find these stress lessons helpful! For more information, please feel free to contact me at Rebecca.atkins@orange.k12.nc.us Have a stress-free end of the school year!
Awesome ideas, Rebecca! Enjoy and Happy Counseling! ~ Angela
Over a two weeks span I am going to be starting academic groups for 51 students. Whew- have I lost my mind?! Maybe! I run groups for 3-5 during lunch and will be having 3rd, 4th, and 5th academic groups every day except for Thursday (Lunch Bunch Day). I have already talked about how I choose students and how we focus on goal setting over on my blog. I thought over here on Life on the Fly, we could talk about some of the fun activities that we do and even include a FREE PRINTABLE!
Adults aren't the only ones feeling a lot of pressure! s The kids are being crushed by the amount of pressure they are under. This is in elementary school! As part of our academic achievement group, we talk a lot about handling stress and pressure. Of my 51 students starting the group, almost half had teachers rate handling stress and pressure as one of their top two areas of concern. Because of this, we have 2 sessions related to managing stress.
How does stress affect our brain? Bottom line- stress is bad for our memory. What is learning? A lot of remembering! To make this point we watch a YouTube video about scientific research into stress and memory. We discuss why stress is bad for memory and how memory is related to learning. The kids in the group are always really interested in this connection and eager to share their stresses. i ask students to write down things that cause them stress on a post-it. While they are working, I divide the white board into four quadrants: home, school, friends, and other. When students have finished a post-it, they can place it in the appropriate quadrant.
Once our white board is full, we read them aloud -- stacking like items together -- and brainstorm ways to manage that stress. As the students talk, I write their ideas on the board. When we're done we have a list of ideas about managing stress. I take a picture with my phone and print the picture to place in their group folder.
In our next lesson, we pinpoint a big stressor: test anxiety. Since this session is towards the end of the group, it usually takes place a few weeks before our big state-mandated test. Test anxiety is on everyone's minds! To make it fun -- we play a game! Here is your amazing FREE PRINTABLE! To play -- each person rolls a die and then completes the calming strategy listed. When you've rolled that number you can cross out the picture. First person to cross off 6 numbers wins! If you roll the same number twice, you get to practice that strategy again!
I hope you find these stress lessons helpful! For more information, please feel free to contact me at Rebecca.atkins@orange.k12.nc.us Have a stress-free end of the school year!
Awesome ideas, Rebecca! Enjoy and Happy Counseling! ~ Angela
Great post ladies! Thank you for sharing some new resources. I'm looking forward to using your freebies with my upcoming Groups. Don't know how we ever let two such talented counselors get away. Happy for your school families that they have access to excellent counselors and the programs they foster. Counsel On Awesome Counselors! Meliene
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Meliene! Love connecting with you in cyberworld even though I miss seeing you in person!
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