Helping Students Build Self Respect

If you have students who have difficulty in recognizing the good in themselves, the worksheet below might be just what you need! 

This worksheet is, quite simply, a list of 58 positive traits to use during individual, small group, or large group counseling sessions. 

Try getting creative with this one...have students make a collage, art piece, poem, or anything else you, or your students, can think of.  You can also simply encourage your students to circle their own positive traits to begin building self-esteem. 

Ask the students to share a story about some times they have displayed these traits; or, you can just let them take the list home to keep as a reminder of their own positive qualities. 

Kristine Kilgour, M.Ed., LPSC
School Counselor & Mediator
rfhscounselor@gmail.com

Ten Cool Online Tools For School Counselors & Educational Consultants

As School Counselors, Educational Consultants, and Coaches, we are always trying to find ways to reach the kids we work with.  One of my favorite ways is by engaging students through technology.   

Below are some of  the Cool Tools I have used in the counseling process: 

1. Glogster is a free, online learning tool with many uses that allows you to create a digital, interactive poster.  Glogster allows its users to be creative, and engaging; and it excites learners, espeically those who like technology based leaning and/or fun.  Glogster is internet based, and allows you create a free teacher account that can be saved on Glogster, and shown anywhere.  My students have created glogs using Glogster as part of classroom guidance lessons, in small group counseling, and with individual counseling. I have also used Glogster glogs to parent and school based newsletters. 
2. Mp3 Cutter

With the free services provided by the "Mp3 cut" website, the mp3 cutting process has become much more simple, fast, and convenient to use. To get started, press the "Upload mp3" button, choose the desired file, and wait until the file is uploaded and ready for processing. As soon as the file is available for editing (which depends on the speed of your Internet connection), the track will become pink slightly below the indicated button, and the play button will become red. Now, you are able crop mp3. You will see two sliders, which indicate the beginning and the end of the song fragment. When you're ready, press the “Cut mp3 and Download” button. The download will start immediately. Save the file and use it in any of your presentations. Don’t forget the copyright rules of no more than 10%, or 30 seconds, maximum length.
3. Pinterest is a content sharing service that allows members to “pin” images, videos, and other objects to a pinboard.  Imagine the old cork board that we used to pin up pictures, notes, or memories.  This is a digital version that allows you to save lots of ideas and organize them into multiple cork boards. I save a lot of ideas by category; and, then when it is time to develop a lesson, I have a bank of visual ideas that I can quickly see and remember. Pinterest can also be used by students you're working with in creating dream boards, inspirational quote boards, and more! In the past, I have allowed students to create their own topic specific boards through my Pinterest account. The student names the board without using his/her name; so confidentiality isn't an issue.

4. Edmodo

1. Edmodo provides a safe, and easy, online format for you to connect and collaborate, share content, post polls, calendars, and much more.  Emondo looks and acts like Facebook, but is much more secure, and was created specifically for giving educators a way to collaborate, communicate, with students, parents, and one another.  To access any content on Edmodo, a group has to be created. Then, an assigned pin number is used for others to join the group.  I have used Edmodo to create groups for the counselors in my previous district, peer mediators, parents, and other specific student groups.  Edmodo offers a way to request, and share, information.  Another way I have used Edmodo that has proven extremely successful has been through the creation of small groups for students to participate in discussion about the current topic.  With Edmodo, content can be shared, giving a parent access to information their child is working on and posting.  With Edmodo, you also have the ability to share files stored in a library, share a calendar with meeting dates or assignments, or create quizzes and polls.
5. Blogger With Blogger, anyone can create their own personal content sharing website, or blog, and can write about anything.  The user can write as frequently, or infrequently, as he or she chooses. Bloggers can add pictures, videos, links, and comments to their blog posts. With Blogger, posts can be kept private, or can be made public, helping counselors easily use this writing format for almost anything without having to worry about confidentiality.
6. Smart Notebook Express
SMART Notebook is a collaborative learning software.  With Smart Notebook Express, you are able to view, save, and interact with SMART Notebook files online, at no charge.
7. Tagxedo turns words into a visually stunning word cloud. Words individually sized appropriately to highlight the frequencies of occurrence within the body of text. With Tagxedo, you can make your word clouds into different shapes, using different colors and save them as a picture to use later. Tagxedo is great for individual counseling, small group counseling, and even large group counseling.
8. Storybird uses short, art-inspired stories users make to share, read, and print. Your counseling participants can read them like books, play them like games, and even send them like greeting cards. Storybird is a fun way for students to share what they have learned.

9. Prezi
Prezi is a cloud based presentation software and storytelling tool for exploring and sharing ideas on a virtual canvas. Prezi is distinguished by its zooming features, which enables users to zoom in and out of their presentation media. Prezi allows you to insert images, videos, and hyperlinks to websites, which allows the user to take Powerpoints to the next level
10. YouTube has many videos that can teach, motivate, or reinforce lessons and counseling sessions.  Make sure you watch each video all the way through before sharing with children.  Some videos may be edited and replaced with inappropriate material.

Additional Techology Tools:

iPad Apps

Nearpod - allows teacher to control student’s iPads, very interactive & engaging

Prezi - zooming presentations

Doceri - control your desktop from your iPad

Socrative Teacher - students can answer quizzes from their iPad

TeacherKit - allows you to create groups/classes, pics of students, keep attendance

Noteshelf (not free) - great for keeping notes organized

iMovie (not free) - great for students to teach/share with others

Stop Go! -young childrens’ timer

Spin the Bottle - Great for selecting students sitting in a group circle

Stick Pick (not free) - for picking students

Sock Puppets - great for younger kids to make puppet plays

Moody Monster - great for younger kids to understand feelings

Fluid - helps students calm down and relax

Scribble Press - create a digital book

Educreations - interactive whiteboard for the iPad

Word Salad - create word clouds on the iPad

Kristine Kilgour, M.Ed., LPSC

School Counselor & Supreme Court Approved Mediator

512-704-5265

School Attendance Matters!!!

In my school counseling program, I have enjoyed doing attendance small group sessions.  My students have really enjoyed the activities and seem to get the big picture of why regular school attendance is so important.

The small group meets six times.  Each year, I use attendance data to form the group and include it as part of my ASCA National Model Plan for the school year.  For the past two years, I’ve worked with third graders.  The selected students usually have 15+ absences from the previous school year.

During our first session, the students brainstorm reasons why school attendance matters.  This year, I had them brainstorm on their own sheets first.  I used discussion cards to help students who couldn’t think of enough ideas for their sheets.  While we discussed the different ideas, they were free to add them to their own lists.  We concluded by filling in the bubble chart together.

For the second session, the students made a foldable.  Inside, they wrote about Responsible Routines. After assembling the foldable with the labels, they wrote under each flap giving responsible routines for the morning, after school and at night.  This includes routines such as waking up on time to get to school, having everything ready for the next day the night before and going to bed at a decent hour.

When we met for the third session, the students watched two videos about the importance of school attendance.   One video is an attendance rap and the other shows the staff at a school, along with students, talking about different reasons why it’s important to attend school regularly.  While watching, they write points from the videos that stand out to them. Afterwards, the group members share their notes. Next, we begin making  a fortune teller using information shared by the group along with the brainstorming sheets from the first session.

Our fourth session involves finishing the fortune tellers and completing the  “Set the Scene” activity.  “Set the Scene” allows us to discuss the path from good attendance in school to a career.  The students cut out, sequence and glue six strips in order and illustrate each on the filmstrip sheet.

During the fifth session, we play an attendance board game.  This game  includes questions about the information from the first four sessions. If there are any activities that students need to finish from previous meetings, time is allowed during this session.

When we meet for our final session, we play Roll and Respond.  Students roll a die and respond to sentence starters about attendance. Before leaving, they complete an exit ticket which reflects what they’ve learned during the small group.  They take all of their completed activities with them to share with their teachers and families.  

After we have completed the small group, I continue to keep up with the attendance patterns of each of the students when I meet monthly with the attendance committee at my school.  I will also meet again with the students to review what was learned in our small group.  Individual sessions are held with students who continue to have attendance concerns.  The good news:  This year’s attendance data for the group is looking good and is much better than what they ended the school year with last year!

School Counselor Survival Kit

Ideas For Your School Counselor Survival Kit

These items will help you along the way in your career as a school counselor, whether you are a school counseling intern and have to schlep your stuff around a school, a new school counselor trying to fill an office. or a veteran looking for additional ideas.  Having your own School Counselor Survival Kit will help you on your journey.

Cart on Wheels - a cart on wheels such as the Rubbermaid Collapsible Cargo Crate can make getting from place to place a breeze. I highly recommend this item! I use mine all the time to lug my stuff around, and in and out of school.

Art supplies - You don't need to have a ton of art supplies, but I do recommend you have the basics, including crayons, colored pencils, markers, paper (lined, unlined, and construction paper).  I recommend Crayola brand, especially the twistable crayons and colored pencils.

Play-Doh - Play-doh party packs are great for groups and individual sessions. I like to give kids their own play-doh so they can take it home after group. Clay is another great option; and it is typically gluten free!

Stress Balls - Stress balls are helpful for teaching students about managing anger. You can get stress balls at many places for free. I have stress balls in the shape of everything from a computer to a baseball bat.  I got most of my stress balls from exhibit areas at conferences.

Stress Ball Making Supplies - If you don't mind getting a little messy, students LOVE making their own stress balls.  All you need is all purpose flour, balloons, scissors, and a funnel. For instructions check out my post, creating a stress ball.  You can also use a pool noodle to create a stress ball.


Bubbles - Children and adults alike LOVE bubbles. They are great to use for teaching relaxation techniques and to help students calm down.


Puppets - Finger Puppets are a great addition to your survival kit. Finger puppets are small so you can fit lots of them in your kit. Students love to act out situations or just play with the finger puppets. I have found great deals on finger puppets at  Amazon, Etsy, Ikea, Target, eBay, and Ten Thousand Villages.

Jenga - Jenga makes a great addition to a school counseling survival kit. There are many ways you can use Jenga in counseling. You can have each student ask a question as they pull out a block. It is great to talk about patience and frustration. With a colorful version of this game, you can have students pick emotions/feelings to represent each color. You can then have students talking about a time they experienced that feeling or how they could cope with that feeling when they pull the particular color.

Uno - Uno is a fun game to play with students the original way, or it can be used to talk about feelings and experiences. Allow students to pick feelings or rules for each color. Each time a someone lays down a color, they can talk about that feeling or experience. 


Portable Sand tray - One of the most used items in my office is my portable sand tray. I actually did not have this during my internships and wish I would have. It is great and inexpensive to make.  Cornstarch or cornmeal are great alternatives to sand.
 

Plastic Tube Animals - Plastic tube animals work great in a portable sand tray, or by themselves. I recommend getting dinosaurs and jungle, farm, or zoo animals to start your collection. *Other places to get plastic tube animals includes: craft stores such as Michael's, Ross/T.J.Maxx/Marshalls, and department stores, and Amazon.


Army People - Army people are a great addition to your school counseling survival kit, especially if you create a portable sandtray. Students play out scenarios and conflict using army people. They are super cheap and you can even find them a the dollar store!

Animal Crackers - Animal crackers make a great icebreaker! I have used animal crackers in groups for new students and as ice breakers in other groups. I have students pick an animal and identify how they are like that animal. It is a fun and tasty way to for students to get to know each other. I use gluten free animal crackers made by Kinnikinnick Foods, as many children (and adults) have food allergies and intolerances. 

Basketball Hoop - An Over-the-door basketball hoop is a necessity! It is great because you can put it up wherever you go. Both boys and girls love to use my basketball hoop. I use it often in individual and small group sessions with students. Sometimes we play a game where we answer a question then make a shot. Other times, students just talk to me about what is going on for them while shooting the basketball.

Balloons - Balloons have a variety of uses.  Balloons can be used to make stress balls (with sand or flour), teaching students how to calm down, remembering a loved ones through a balloon release, discussing tension, etc.   


Tissues - Nothing is worse than searching for tissues when a student requests one. I like to keep tissues in my school counseling survival kit just in case.

All of the items mentioned in the School Counselor Survival Kit will help you in your role as school counselor! You do not need all of these items at once. The great thing about these items is that the majority of them are multifunctional ; so you can use them for more than one activity.

I will be updating the School Counselor Survival Kit as I think of more ideas and places to buy items. I am always on the lookout for great items to share with other school counselors!


What items do you have in your "School Counselor Survival Kit?" 

Email me with your input!

Kristine Kilgour is a Pre K-12 Certified School Counselor, Mediator, Coach, and Blogger . Contact Kristine via email or at 512-704-5265.