Curriculum
Each month Slinger Elementary students are given classroom counseling lessons based on a character trait. The K-5 counselors from each school teamed up to create a fantastic list of lessons & character traits for our students to learn about. This opportunity to team offers the counselors a way to create fun counseling ideas and sets all of our students up for success at the middle school level, and beyond, as they are all receiving the same lesson language from every elementary school in our district (and the old saying, two heads are better than one - in this case three - offers us an opportunity to get a plethora of ideas!). Each month the student lessons provide them tools to be the best kids they can be as they grow and learn!
The below list is a general lesson outline, this list may change as the year progresses or as new opportunities present themselves - and keeps in mind that there may be a change in lesson based on what specifically is needed at the school, as life is always changing and teaching opportunities always present themselves! The students receive a lesson on the topic/character trait and they are reiterated throughout the month.
MONTH, CHARACTER TRAIT, LESSON/TOPIC:
SEPTEMBER:
- Respect
- "Owl Basics" (Behavior expectations around school - PBIS - "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports")/Introduction to School Counseling
- Bucket Filling "Have you Filled a Bucket Today?" - Be a bucket filler (make others feel good/do kind things/make good choices) not a Bucket dipper (bullying, being mean, rude, making poor choices).
- Growth Mindset - being ready to learn & grow!
OCTOBER:
- Self-Discipline
- DEBUG/Feedback Formula
- DEBUG helps kids positively solve problems, involving an adult only when someone or something is being hurt, they need advice, someone is sick, or there is an emergency
- DEBUG stands for: Decide to Ignore, Exit - Move away, Be Friendly, Use Firm Words, Get Adult Help
- The feedback formula helps students communicate their needs in a positive manner! One of my favorite lessons is that people can not read your mind - one must tell them if they need something from them! See my link to the feedback formula and DEBUG on the parent links for more info!
- Feedback Formula:
- 1. ______(name)_____, when you _____(what the person did)_____
- It makes me feel _________(insert feeling here - sad, happy, lonely, upset, hurt, great, angry etc.)__
- I would like you to _________(positive alternative)___________
- Emotions - understanding there are many & we all have different ones (even if we went through the same thing).
NOVEMBER
- Friendship
- Friendship/Bullying
DECEMBER
- Generosity/Giving
- Kindness - The best gift we can give is love, kindness & time together (making memories).
JANUARY
- Acceptance/Compassion
- Diversity - everyone is different! The world would be a very boring place if we were all exactly the same. If someone does or likes something different - it's not weird - it's just different! Ask them about it and learn more!
FEBRUARY
- Perseverance
- Goal Setting/Growth Mindset
MARCH
- Honesty
- Personal Safety/Rumors/Truth Telling
APRIL
- Responsibility
- Safety - Personal Safety - Stranger Safety, making good, safe choices - knowing how to make safe choices.
- Testing Preparedness (for those doing State Testing) - talk about mindfulness, anxiety, breathing, & meditation. We also discuss growth mindset again - doing your very best (everyone is different).
MAY
- Cooperation
- Careers - working with others.
- End of the year recap/anticipations for next year. What went well this year? What do you want to do better?
JUNE-AUGUST
- Have a Safe & Wonderful Summer! See you in the new school year!
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