Are you ready for testing season?

I know I'm not!!

It happens every year, yet every year I think wait it can't be testing time already. What gets me through this time is the hilarious http://www.loveteachblog.com/ and teaching some of my favorite topics like stress reduction.

Here are a few parent resources to help you get ready for testing season.

First,
I created this brochure for parents on tips on help their child deal with stress.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stress-Management-Tips-For-Parents-To-Help-Their-Child-1744182

Next, I created a few testing tips for parents that you can also use in your classroom.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Test-Taking-Tip-Packet-For-Parents-1743462

This packet has everything you need to host a parent workshop. It's full of ideas, handouts, and games parents can play with students. I love playing the Let's Rock (roll and respond) game with my 3rd-5th graders. It's a great way to review our lessons on test prep and let them have fun during this stressful time.

This packet includes a variety of testing resources for parents and teachers. 

Parent Packet- This packet was designed to host a parent workshop. It includes parent conversation cards to help improve parent/student communication, a family game night roll and respond game, a resource page, and three pages of tips for before, during, and after the test.

Parent Brochure- Designed to be copied double sided to create a one page handout for parents. It includes tips for before, during, and after the test as well as additional resources.

5 Star Breathing- An activity for parents and teachers to practice with their students before and during the test to help reduce test stress.

What are your favorite testing resources?

Testing TIme

It's that time of year! Testing time.
Here is what I am doing to help our students and families prep for testing this year:

Class Lessons

3rd Grade- Since this is their first year taking it, we are doing test preparation.

We read "The Big Test" (or "Testing Miss Malarkey") and discussed the strategies in the book. Then we practiced in our class.

Visit TPT for the test taking version.

We completing the "teat taking" gold pot activity by the amazing Savvy School Counselor. Get yours here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Counselors-March-Activity-Pack-Savvy-School-Counselor-1110842

Then if time allowed we practiced relaxing, just like the students in the book did. We did a Go Noodle, but you can also have them practice 5-star breathing.

4th Grade- We addressed perseverance and not giving up. We talked about ways we show perseverance at home, at school, and on "the test." We read my favorite book on this topic "The Three Ninja Pigs" and then students drew a Ninja Pig that represented something they wanted to practice, persevere and get better at. We then took turns guessing what each persons pig represented. On the back of the pigs I had a copy of the Scholastic word search (for my speed racers.)

If you live in TN you need to read this:

Update: A special thanks to everyone who supported me this past week, because of your action, Rep. Gilmore stated that she is withdrawing HB 621, the ill-conceived bill that would have arbitrarily demonized pit bulls. I love you guys so much for helping us protect our babies, our rights, and help bury ignorance.

Perseverance as summer approaches!

This time of year is all about testing, field days, and more testing. I know this time of year I start to lapse on my training with Brooklyn and the dogs get away with a lot.

This time of year I love to do lessons on perseverance (although I still need spell check to help me with that word after many years of teaching.). My favorite book this time of year is "The Three Ninja Pigs" by Corey Rosen Schwartz. I love it so much I've blogged about it many times . I love it so much that I created a packet designed to help teachers and counselors tie it into testing, perseverance/resiliency , team work, problem solving, cultural appreciation, and of course CCSS.  Also, you can connect this book to bullying (link at the end of the blog post).

So here is my latest packet for a book you all NEED to have on your book shelves:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Three-Ninja-Pigs-Activity-Guide-a-lesson-on-perseverance-test-prep-and-more-1792121

Lessons for April

K and 1st- Fairness

We are talking about our character education word "fairness" this month.
We started by reading one of my favorite books It's Not Fair.

As a follow up we used this super cool activity from www.teach-a-roo.blogspot.com 

The kids had to cut a pizza in a "fair" way for 5 people. It was awesome to see them problem solve. 
When we were done we did a fairness coloring sheet.

2nd Grade- Choices and Consequences

We started by reading If You Give A Dog A Donut or If You Give A Cat A Cupcake.

 

We talked about cause and effect. Then we did a venn diagram about consequences and punishments. We had a great discussion. To finish up we played a Plicker or Kahoot game based on Win Or Lose It's How You Choose.

 3rd grade- Test Taking

We started by watching a Brain Pop Test Taking Skills video and taking the quiz.

Visit TPT for the test taking version.

Then we completed "teat taking" gold pot activity by the amazing Savvy School Counselor. Get yours here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Counselors-March-Activity-Pack-Savvy-School-Counselor-1110842

As a final follow up we drew comic strips about testing perseverance.

Bucket List Check In

Today I was reminded of my bucket list I did last summer and my goals for this school year.
Here were the goals I set for myself and here's how we did :

Blue Ribbon Books for Top Dogs

Every month I ask the teacher's to help me pick a "Top Dog," based on the character education word of  the month. (Read more about my character ed program here!)

Since I get to visit the classrooms once a month (if I am lucky) and often those lessons are dictated by teacher requests and student needs, I have been pondering ways to get the teachers to incorporate my words into their lessons and reach all of my students.

Test Ready

This week I collaborated with our school librarian to help our kids with last minute test prep.

First we read "Testing Miss Malarkey" with our older students. I loved trying to explain to them what a ditto was.

We also read "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day" with our younger students.

Next we had some fun practicing some "brain breaks" we created for all the teachers.
This was a great TPT purchase I encourage all teachers to buy:

Check out the entire project here: http://third-grades-a-charm.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

To end I got to put my yoga certification to use by putting the students through a guided relaxation exercises and basic stretches. We even had some fall asleep!

Treat Yo Self

It's my birthday (and also the last day of testing which is a birthday treat all in itself)! I must admit I am terrible about surfing the web and day dreaming about all the things I would by for myself from a custom dog necklace to office supplies for next year.

My amazing friend Chandra Verbic, owner of C Jayne Teach, must have known I am on a decorating/organizing kick because she just introduced a new line of teacher supplies for next year. Here are just a few reasons why it's amazing:

1) It's cheerful. Even on those awful, terrible, no good, very bad days just looking at her mugs, planners, and notepads will cheer you up. It's impossible to be grouchy around these colors.

2) I am a firm believer in a good morning for our students. As I am asked to tackle behavior more and more I almost always start by looking at a students schedule and morning routine. What are the procedures for morning arrival? Are they arriving to classroom with simple, organized directions for starting the day or do they walk into a free for all? So when she sent me this picture of her new morning tray, I literarily lit up. What a fun way to organize papers, but also help students get in smooth routine for a good morning. I LOVE IT.

3) Customer input is really valued. I love that Chandra really listens to her customers and uses their input as she designs new items. Her "Teacher Anchor" was already top notch, but she has made some wonderful updates based on what teachers think.

B.I.O.N.I.C.

Believe It Or Not I Care

One of my favorite things about the ASCA School Counselor monthly magazine is the National School Counselor of the Year issue. Why? I steal all the ideas that make them an award winning counselor like this one.......

D is for Data: No Friends We Can't Escape It

This is the face I make every year preparing for evaluations.

Today I was preparing for my evaluation this year and don't get me started because it's absurd to me. So before I get on my soap box let me focus on the current trend I see in counseling: data. We are becoming a data driven program, and the data we use is just as important as the data teachers use. We can't escape it, data data everywhere.

So what are you doing to gather data?
Here's how I am trying to incorporate my data.

First, our teachers sit down monthly for "data meetings." During this meeting our amazing intervention teacher goes through each student looking at the numbers. They discuss who is showing improvement, who needs additional help, who can move out of intervention, etc. I sit in and give them generic information "well there is so home issues I am working on with that student so just remember that when looking at the data."  These meetings are very productive, we often can't fit everything we want to into the meeting. Here is how I see my role in the meetings:
1) Reminding them of the child and the history/story behind the numbers.
2) Getting referrals for small groups (this is a great place to hear teachers talk about so and so and his/her anger).
3) Identifying the students that might slip through the cracks. I like finding the students that are doing fine, but perhaps with a small group on study skills could be even better.

Here is what I take to "Data Monday's":

Permission Forms to see students we think would benefit from a small group.

A schedule of dates for teachers and copy for each student in the group.

Sample invitation to a small group.

 
Since I just started attending regularly my goal is to track the students I see in small groups for two years and chart their improvement in standardized testing as well as classroom grades. Check out Mrs. Bunyi's list of "Assessments A-Z."

Mrs. Bunyi's List of Assessments A-Z

Second, surveys. I give a survey for everything. Survey Monkey is the easiest way to collect data and administer pre and post tests, so I send out surveys for everything.

Here are a few examples:
Internet Use Survey-  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KLFPQNL

What Do You Worry About- http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GZNYR2F

Team Building Survey- http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RZVP6C9

How Can Your School Counselor Help You- http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/dsrrcounselingsurvey




Here is another great self assessment I found for small groups  so students can gather their own data. I don't remember where I found it, but if I had to guess it was the ASCA Scene.

Third, I track participation. I have data showing how many parents attend my workshops, how each topic we do a workshop on does as far as participation numbers, the best times and months for workshops, numbers on how many students receive my services, etc. I have a lot of numbers.

Sample of a newsletter I sent out to teachers. It included data for our teachers to see that I don't just sit around all day.

Lastly, I look at behavior by the numbers. This year our school incorporated the behavior section of AimsWeb. It asks teachers complete a behavior survey on every child three times a year, which I know it's timely but it can be so helpful. It also asks students complete a self survey. This program has it's pro's and con's but it makes for good data.

My new favorite data tidbit! Love Pinterest.

Speaking of data, I just started following a super cute website "Life With a Pit Bull By Your Side."
She has a super cute and funny entry on data and facts. For example, did you know in Miami you can own a tiger, but not a pit bull. Also, did you know that in canine temperament tests the data shows that about 86% of pit bulls passed showing no signs of aggression, higher than many other dogs including Beagles.
Don't believe just look at the data:

 

Bucket Lists

Bucket Lists!

This summer I made a bucket list of fun things I wanted to do and make sure that I actually did them! From going to the zoo to making S'mores there are 20 pegs of fun summer activities. Each time I complete an activity I put it in the bucket.The first peg I wrote was cookout, mainly because we cooked out the night before and I really liked being able to put a peg in right away. I have always been this way- I put something on my checklists that I have already done. It makes me feel just slightly more encouraged and successful. I love the visual checklist and so far I have done six.

Although an incredible teacher friend of mine, who is now a successful assistant principal, pointed out that it reminded her of a behavior management technique she often used, I really like the idea of using this visual in my counseling curriculum next year.  So here are my ideas for incorporating bucket lists this year.

My personal bucket list!
Each year I brainstorm ways I want to improve my program, things I want to change, and create a list of personal goals for myself. I started brainstorming how many of these could be put on a peg and at the end of the year I could see how much closer I was to accomplishing my goals. At first my goals were broad, like incorporate more technology, but as we all know goals are better when they are concrete and measurable. So here is my bucket list for the 2012-2013 school year:
                   - Use the Smart Board for at least five lessons this year. This means using pre-made games or developing my own.
                    - Collaborate with my peers to team teach at least five times. I always do a lesson with my Kindergartners on keeping their teeth clean. Last year, I noticed that about a month after my lesson the teachers were doing the exact same lesson! If only I had known. So this year my goal is to collaborate with them so our lessons don't overlap. In fact, we could even team teach.
                 - Gather more data. As we all know our profession is becoming a data driven! This year I want to complete a MEASURE and gather more data. Often I feel like teachers don't realize just how much we do. If I don't see their kids weekly I get looks of "what are you doing all day"? By gathering and sharing data hopefully I can answer their question. This also leads me to my next goal.
               - Advocate and explain my position. Each year we get several new teachers and this year my goal is do a better job of explaining my role in the school. I know that is broad, but here is my more specific goal of how to do this: Talk to the faculty at one of our early in-service meetings about my role and follow up by handing out a brochure of my program. That is just a bit to long to write on one peg.
                 - Attend the state counseling conference.
                 - Have at least one parent at every parent workshop. Last year I had some sessions that were packed houses and some that had zero. This year I want one parent at each workshop and then next year I can set a goal of increasing participation.
                 - Have monthly BIONIC meetings and don't reschedule them! That means 10 meetings total.
                - Attend at least 75% of our school's data meetings. This number is ideally 100%, but you just never know when a crisis will arise. Attending these meetings is a great way to not only gather data, but get referrals for students that might have otherwise been missed.
               - Update my blog monthly! I am new at this so it's going to take me a while to start the habit of logging in.
                - Take members of Student Council to the Family Learning Center to help tutor younger students two times. Last year I took our students to an after school center to assist with tutoring and it was a huge it. The students loved it and many of our parents stayed to help out too. We must do this again!

There are a lot more ideas, but you get the idea. Some of the pegs I can put in the bucket as soon as I do them and some I will get to put in at the end of the year.

Small Group Bucket Lists
Ideally, each of my small group sessions should have a goal. Sometimes, especially around testing time, I find that I loose focus when running my groups and we have a session that feels more like social hour. Although the kids love it, each session should have purpose. So I like the idea of writing down goals we should accomplish my the end of our group so that we can put them in the bucket. For example, it could be learn everyone's name and at the end of the first session if we all know each others names in goes the peg. Hopefully this will ensure that we are putting a peg in the bucket every time we meet, thus staying more focused.

Individual Bucket Lists
At the beginning of the year I always do a goal setting activity with my older students. Wouldn't it be fun to have them create their own personal bucket lists for the school year? For example, it could be try out of band,  get at least 3 A's every report card, etc. I think this could be a cute, but costly.

To cut down on costs I could do a class bucket list. What things they want to accomplish with me during our classroom guidance lessons by the end of the year. Each student could write down one thing they want to learn (counseling related) to add to our bucket. Wouldn't it be cool if they wrote things like "learn how to react to a bully" "learn what to do when I see a friend being bullied" "learn what to do if a stranger approaches me" "learn one new fact about cyber safety." I wonder if my students could create these ideas themselves or if I would end up feeding it to them?

I also like the idea of the bucket list for individual members in a small group session. Each person could write down one thing they want to accomplish while in the group and we place all of them around the bucket. Then we spend the group helping each other accomplish our goals and making sure everyone get's put in the bucket. This would be a great for my study skills group. 

Ok, this blog entry got away from me and has ended up very long, but before I go I must share one more thing. I love this book and what a perfect way to introduce the idea of teamwork and helping each other fulfill our bucket lists.  If you haven't used this book before I would recommend adding it to your counseling library this year. In fact put it on your bucket list!