Back To School Book Wish List

How I plan on using it:
*Collaboration with our school librarian and teachers for non fiction research. I got this idea from Sarah Svarda, librarian genius. She had her students research about an animal and then write a script before they used Chatterpix to make a fun recording about what they had learned.  You can read all about it here. She also had one of our friends, C Jayne Teach, write about about a similar lesson, where the students used persuasive writing to talk themselves into liking certain creatures. I am going to try and collaborate in a similar way, but with a career focused twist.

*One of Sarah's students branched outside the box and created this amazing Chatterpix. So here is my prompt for students. After researching your animal, what job should/would they have if they were human and why? Or, what job should they not have or why? They need to talk about skills, talents, hobbies, interests of the animal and connect it to that career. For example, social animals might make great helpers. Animals that run a lot might not want to work in schools, but would make a great police officer.

Read all about this amazing book here: http://www.upworthy.com/this-adorable-kids-book-lets-boys-know-tough-guys-have-feelings-too

How I plan on using: in my boys small groups, morning meetings with boys, and even in classroom guidance. 

How I plan on using it: Connect, compare, and contrast with When Pigasso Met Mootisse. Then partner students to create a friendship Venn Diagram.  Here is a great lesson idea.

Lessons for November- friends, safety, empathy, decision making, thankfulness, and bullying!

It's almost time for Thanksgiving break!!!!! Until then, here is a little about the fun we are having in class..

K-
We are talking about being a good friend.

Intro: We started out by reading "Let's Be Friends" on BookFlix.

Next, we watched "Rainbow Fish" on Storyline Online to talk about how good friends put others first and share. 

The class shared examples of good friendship skills that I wrote on starfish and fish.  To end each student decorated his/her own rainbow fish that we put on our bulletin board: "We are all friends in our school" (get it school haha!) 

Need more: Check out the word match on Book Flix:

1st Grade: Our character education word of the month is citizenship. We are reading "Michael, Recycle!" This is such a cute rhyming book and it has a lot of big vocabulary words for 1st grade, like crusader! 

In the past I have used this amazing Rhyme, Define, Rhyme pack by Speech Snacks I found on TPT.

I really like it, but I think its too hard for 1st grade. I would definitely use it for 2nd or 3rd. If your students are up for the challenge there are rhyming cards in the TPT pack- you could hand them out to each child and them find the partner whose card rhymes with theirs. There are also some great discussion cards you could play Quiz Quiz Trade with. 

First, we read and slowly discuss the book. I let the students turn and talk and share their ideas and answer questions. Then at the end the students draw what they would do at school if we had a "Be Greener Campaign." 

ASCA Conference Tips for Newbies

Ok yes until 2 days ago I was the newbie so this entry may seem a little premature, but I swear I have a purpose. I want to write this now while these tips are fresh on my mind and then I can update and re-post in a year from now.

1) If you don't have/aren't taking technology (iPad, etc.) bring paper and pencil.

I didn't take my school computer for fear of a water plane landing and I would be paying the school district for a new computer and would loose the close to 3,000 pictures of Brooklyn and Boss on my computer. I felt alone being technology-less and spent the majority of the weekend sending my boyfriend some subtle* texts about my lack of an iPad. (*Does it count as subtle if I said- I am the ONLY person alive without an iPad…I MUST have one by Christmas, see attached link to Best Buy?) That being said the conference notebook had only 3 pages for notes and that meant I was out of writing room within the first two hours. I also couldn't find paper anywhere so I became resourceful writing on anything I could find (my bag, the program, napkins, toilet paper-ok I didn't go that far but I was tempted). This is another reason I blogged about everything I learned, because I am sure I will loose those scrap papers.


2) Take some business cards but not all 250.
I took my brand new business cards and I was happy I did, but I didn't give out all 250 (thanks Vista Print) so they just took up space. I am sure if I was presenting I would have. In a few sessions I heard people share great ideas so on the back of  a card I would write "please email me your bullying google doc" and then find them at a break meet/give my card/ask for xyz. I think it's helpful for people who have a short term memory issue like myself, plus your contact info is right there.

3) Don't be scared.
The conference was literally like being surrounded by counseling royalty and actual royalty (*Note: I am now referring to our First Lady as Michelle like we are suddenly best friends because Secret Service allowed me to be 50 feet away from her). I was nervous to meet people and talk and I wish I hadn't been. I mean I put my foot in my mouth daily so why not do it at Disney.

Me and Sandy Austin, School Counselor of the Year 2012 (if memory serves me). Note the panic in my face from meeting a super star.

ASCA #14 Reflections

Wow! What an amazing conference. How many newbie ASCA conference attenders can say at their first conference they heard the First Lady speak!!

I am writing this post for 3 reasons:
1) To share with you my highlights and lessons/knowledge learned at the best conference ever.
2) To help ADHD brain remember all the things I want to share with the other counselors in our district.
3) To help me go back and access the information. A online "storage space" for reference if you will.

So let's get started:

New Blog Alert

Check out this fun new blog by local Knoxville counselor Miss Mimi!

It reminds me another one of my favorite blog Love, Teach. Both are funny, witty, and make you laugh. We all of those moments in education that just make us stop and giggle and Mimi's blog is full of those amusing times. It's a fun read on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee.

I've already added her to my Feedly and counseling friends you should follow her too!
Read about more of my favorite blogs here.

Field Day Fun

It's the end of the year- which means days filled with fun, balloon tosses, tug of war competitions, and snow cones.

This year I was able to collaborate with our PAC (Personal Accountability Coach) teacher (who is a behavior goddess) and we came up with some good lesson ideas on being a good sport.

So here is my list on resources/lesson ideas on sportsmanship!

Online Resources:

Howard B Wigglebottom Learns Winning Isn't Everything.

Howard B Wigglebottom- If you haven't checked out the Howard B Wigglebottom website you should bookmark it immediately. The younger students love him and the website is full of animated books, songs, lesson ideas, coloring pages, and more. After watching "Howard B  Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship" she asked them great questions like: "How are you like Howard?" "What actions made Howard a bad sport?" "Do you know anyone like Howard? Describe them without using names."
Follow up ideas: Have the students create a comic strip about Howard. You could have them draw two comics, one representing bad behavior and one representing good behavior. For younger grades, start the comic for them and have them fill in the blanks. Get a layout for a comic here.





BookFlix- Book Flix has two stories you can watch/read. "Miss Nelson Has A Field Day" and "This is the Way We Play" by Scholastic News. Follow up ideas: Use these stories introduce the expectations for field day and discuss social skills involved in playing. Create a word web of actions that good sports demonstrate and then bad sports.





Book/Printable Resources:

"Ready, Set, Swim" by Marcus Pfister. What young student doesn't love Rainbow Fish? This is the story of how Rainbow Fish and his friends decide to create their very own sports day and run into so problems.  Follow up ideas: Discuss problem solving ideas for when friends get upset and act like enemies. Discuss words to use when playing games, acts of kindness to show on field day, and adjectives that describe good sports. Then using one of the discussion topics have students design their own Rainbow Fish. You can write the adjectives in his one of his fins or perhaps a problem solving idea. You can get a free outlines of Rainbow fish here, here, and here.

What inspires you?

What encourages you to keep going? Is it a person? A pet? A goal? What provides you with inspiration?

Yesterday I got some of my favorite new book titles on perseverance and today my good friend shared this with me! Can you tell it's that time of year we are all trying to find the energy, courage, and determination to make it to summer? I for one I am finding coffee and chocolate a helpful strategy.

I love this video/article for grades 4up. It would be a great discussion question (perhaps in the form of a socratic seminar),  would be perfect for a small group, and I really love the idea of incorporating it into future lessons.

It's the story and video of a boxer who unfortunately had his rear legs amputated. It's inspirational and I love the thought provoking question the article ends with. What a good journal entry for morning meetings, small groups, and more.

Find it here:
http://tweentribune.com/tween56/two-legged-dog-inspires-two-legged-humans

Catching our breath.

When Brooklyn gets excited she whimpers. When she see's a cat, another dog, children, or anyone over the age of 40 her whimper quickly turns tragic. It's loud! Then the whimpers get faster, she starts pacing, and before you know it she's panting. I love her, but man is she an anxious little girl.

So today I put together some of my favorite resources for those in our lives and schools (or maybe even for you yourself) that are anxious:


            Strategies For Relaxation

5-Star Breathing: This simple breathing technique includes a good visual for students. It's easy to follow, remember, and use. I created a full scale sheet for practice and smaller stars for students to take with them/tape to their desks.





Belly Breathe with Elmo- This video from Seasme Street is still one of my favorites to show! The song is catchy and my first graders always make me play it over and over again. We watch it together once first, then I play it again and ask them to join in the belly breathing. They always want more, so I tell them as a reward at the end of class we will play it one more time.







Good ole fashioned stress balls! I love having stress balls around my office and so do the kids. They also tend to disappear, so I try and stock up whenever I can. You can get some cute stress balls on Oriental Trading (about $15 for 24),  you can make custom stress balls for about $1.15 each at Office Depot, and you can find several versions (some hysterical but not school appropriate) on Amazon, including this silly one.  I have also used play dough and attempted to make my own at school (it was fun but messy). Lastly, whenever there is a career fair, an armed forces information day, or free event with business prompting themselves I try and stop by because often I can
get one or two free stress balls.


Apps

Breathe 2 Relax-  This app allows students to follow along as they take deep inhales and exhales and learn how to belly breath. You can lengthen or shorten the counts of each inhale and exhale, so I think it's interesting to talk about how my inhale my differ from others, how long is too long, how long is not enough to calm down, etc. Ideally each student could have it on their own iPad, iPhone, etc. When I used it I only had one iPad so it was pretty funny to watch us all sit around the iPad like we were around a campfire and practice. The students got a kick out of it through. In high school this is a good resource for your students to put on their own phones.

Squeeze and Shake Stress Relief- When I was a high school counselor I remember letting many students "borrow" stress balls. The longer I am in this job, the more I realize there is no "borrowing."This would be a great app for middle school age through adults. It's a virtual stress ball! It also vibrates the phone which is great for any kids with sensory issues you might be working with. I am going to recommend this to our SPED department. Be warned though, it's not a free app (it's 99 cents) so you want to make sure students aren't buying it on their phones and then have the parents send you the bill.

Read about more apps here

Perfect Combination

Check out this video that I think will be a perfect addition to my "Invisible Boy" lesson.

Don't forget to download your game cards here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Quiz-Quiz-Trade-Game-Cards-for-The-Invisible-Boy-1745395

Secrets To A Happier Work Place

I love this Ted Talks on positive psychology. Shawn Achor is not only funny, but there is something about his style that is very approachable.

 My plan is to share with my faculty this year, but I also think it would be fun to share with high school students and then have a socratic seminar about it.

What do you think? Do you love it as much as me?

The power of words, the power of our students.

My Pittie Mix Brooklyn

Today I meet with the Nashville PITTIE team to help brainstorm an upcoming PSA we are shooting about ending discrimination  and the discrimination we face every day. We shared our stories and heartaches. I shared that last week I took my dog to Petsmart where a dog ran up to her and started playing. They were having fun and I started to talk to the doggies dad. After a few mintues he commented on how cute she was and then asked the dreaded question, "what kind of dog is she?" As soon as the words pit bull mix left my mouth he grabbed his dog and ran. Brooklyn looked devastated.  I was heartbroken, her breed had cost her a friend.

When these things happen I want to scream, would you teach your child to discriminate? What would you do if you take your child to the park and soon see that your child has made a new friend? Would you allow them play,  to form a friendship? What if you then found out that child was Jewish or Muslim? Would you grab your child and run?

As the team discussed what we can do to encourage tolerance in our community, a member Jill Foster (an amazing, heroic middle school counselor) whipped out her phone.  She hit play and within a few moments I knew I was going to be in tears.

Here is the video she presented. I encourage you to watch it, discuss it, and share it!!!!

2013 Spread the Word to End the Word Hawkins Middle School Best Buddies

The Hawkins CDC teacher, TA's and students did an awesome job on this video and Jill and I are very proud of them!! Enjoy and spread the word to end the word!!! :-)

Ted Talks About Bullying

If you have not incorporated Ted Ed into your lesson plans add it to your 2013-2014 bucket list now.
One of my 5th grade teachers shared this Ted Talks with me about bullying. I think it's very powerful.

http://ed.ted.com/on/p04GkF0j#dig

The best part is there are wonderful discussion questions on the site, a quiz to make sure they were listening, and a dig deeper section which allows the students to explore on their own. I think this will be a great socratic seminar for next year.

Techy and I Know It Prt. 2

I may or may not have an iPad in my possession. Ok I do and I downloaded 15 free apps today alone. Here are some of my favorites:

Dusty D. Dawg Has Feelings Too

This is an adorable story of a cute puppy and his many feelings. I love that many of the situations in the story are not "dog specific." For example he has friends that moves away or get's scolded. For parents you are even able to customize the story with the child's name.
I want to go into my K classes tomorrow just so I can show them this one. This has also reignited my desire to write a children's book about dogs. This one is especially meaningful for me this week since my foster Seven moved to a new foster home. Brooklyn has been pouting and moaning and won't leave the window. I think sometimes we forget that animals an grieve too.

Price: Free

Next...

Prezi's- You Can Be Techy Too!

This week was the TN School Counseling and Administrators Institute, a wonderful conference I look forward to every year.
I learned lots, left with many ideas I can't wait to share, but my favorite breakout session was "I'm Techy And I Know It" hosted by the amazing Greene County team.

Here is why I loved this break out:

1) I actually have more tech knowledge than I thought or give myself credit for. For example, I was one of few people in the room who blogged (yay! and thanks for reading) and also one of the few people with a LiveBinder.

2) I went home and immediately used the info given. I updated my Pinterest site to match my website and brand. Visit it here: http://pinterest.com/sassyscounselor/   and visit Nashville Pittie's page here: http://pinterest.com/nashvillepittie

3) It was practical, informative, and inspiring. While I don't have an iPad (yet) I left with many many ideas that I can do.

For example, do you know about Prezi's? I love it! It's like PowerPoint on crack (sorry but there is simply no other way to describe it's awesomeness.) I have created a few since Tuesday just for practice. I also love that you can download them as a PDF and search and share for other Prezi's (you know I love to beg, borrow, and steal!)
Do you have a Prezi to share? Share Share!! Here are mine thus far:

Middle School Transition (for a parent workshop I am hosting) http://prezi.com/qck4nj9zjoxo/middle-school-transition/
*note I am still building this one!






Pittie Please: http://prezi.com/wsu00ohk00en/pittie-please/



The Prezi that started it all: http://prezi.com/nuu24blefvua/im-techy-and-i-know-it/

Keep checking back as I update with more ideas I learned and implemented!

Continuing Education

Every summer I try to squeeze as much professional development in as I can. This summer I have been focusing on increasing my technology skills and I think I am improving thanks to one Elizabeth Shepherd.  She suggested taking a Google class and I am so glad I did.

Google has a lot of resources for educators, including professional development trainings. I have never really tapped into their resources and now that I have I feel like a tech dork for not.

When you want to research a topic, what is the first thing you do? Most of us and most of our students would probably say "Google it!" It's true I Google almost everything, so decided that one class that might come in handy is improving my Google search skills.
I enrolled and just stated a web class on "power searching."

So far the class has been very good- fast paced, lots of interactive activities to test what I learn, and great and short videos. I have learned so much- did you know that by filtering Google image searches to color you can narrow down your results and if you filter by the color white it will bring up all of the charts/graphs?  Every video I think to myself, wow my kids need to watch this.
  If you are interested you have 4 more days to enroll in this free course. 

You may also search for other courses here and even access lesson plans, such as this one on evaluating credible resources:



Another workshop I discovered is the Digital Literacy Workshop.
Coming in August, online learning modules for teachers. 


I am most interested in the Fall workshop on "Digital Citizenship," which will be a self guided course that will help teachers learn how to teach students to be safe on the internet and to create a positive digital footprint. I didn't see a sign up yet, so now I just have to remember to check back.

Also, you may have heard that Google Docs is changing to Google Drive. Google Aps for Education has a new video on the change. If you enjoy Google Docs as much as I do check it out.

Well I am off to "class!"