Check out my books

I've been working on ways to organize the books I have in my office. So far I've accounted for only about 275- yep and I'm not done. I have them organized, but I love using books for lots of topics. So while I might have one book in my "friendship" basket, it might also be perfect for conflict resolution or tolerance. So I love Shelfari, because it allows me to make multiple tags for the books. This means I can click on any topic and see all the books I have in my office that would relate. It's a great way for me to inventory and let other counselors know what books I own if they are in need.
Check it out: http://www.shelfari.com/pawsitiveschoolcounselor

check out all these resources

I am so in love with the amazing group of counselors I work with. Once a month we meet to learn, share, and have fun. I am like a kid in a candy store- acting like a crazy sugar driven maniac, but instead of sugar I am buzzing off good ideas.
Today we shared our favorite books and activities and you know I love a good book. Check out these awesome ideas:

A book to encourage good character. This books is great because it's universal and touches on many cultures and religions. Learn more here. I also found this activity guide online from Lakeview Elementary. 

Another Miranda Peabody goodie! I also like books that talks about what to do if students see or are bullies and this book is especially great because it comes with activities in the back.

The counselors and I also talked about the power of role play. One idea that really struck a cord with me is discussing the role bystanders take having them role play what they nonverbally say simply by where they stand. You can have the students role play a situation where the bystanders stand close to the "bully" and then stand close to the target. It's a great way to lead a discussion on how we can use our bodies to stop bullying if we are too scared to use our words. 

A a word web to generate a definition of bullying. 

This is Mrs. Mimi and she might own more books than me. This book is "Tiger, Tiger Is It True?"

It seems like the universe is really pushing me towards cognitive behavior therapy lately. I love using it with older students, but I defiantly have been looking for a way to introduce it to our younger students who are having "irrational thoughts/fears." This book looks perfect for K-2 students who need a change in mindset. 

 Separation anxiety  is a topic that every elementary counselor encounters and it's great to have a lot of resources on hand. This is a sweet story about a little girl scared to start K. 

Check out this story and activities about separation anxiety by Mental Fills. What a great addition and follow up to the these books. 

What if you were so scared of school your parents spent the day at school with you? Find out with "Jake Starts School." This is a great book for students in K-2.

Another great addition for books on separation anxiety.  

How can you go wrong with a book written by a leading authority on ADHD. This would be a great way to discuss multiple intelligences. It's also perfect for those students with self doubts and may say things like "I'm stupid." The best part is there is information for teachers and parents at the end. What a great way to connect with stakeholders. 

Time for you to go book shopping!

Yesterday was a super fun night of getting my counselor nerd on. The amazing author/illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka did a book reading, illustration drawing, and book signing in town. 

Some people swoon when they see a movie star and apparently I have the teacher version of that because I was a red, nervous wreck. 

Some of you might know Jarrett (yes yes I am pretending we are close friends now just like I did with Michelle) from his Lunch Lady series.  It's a great graphic novel about a Lunch Lady who happens to also be a super hero (aren't they really in real life too!) This is a book series that even your most stubborn readers will love. If you are looking for an amazing service learning project to go with the books  look no further- check out how my BIONIC teamed up to help our school librarian create an amazing luncheon for our staff. Need more inspiration check out this guide for using graphic novels in the classroom. 

So Jarrett just wrote and published a new picture book that is perfect for every school counselor. "It's Tough To Loose Your Balloon" is a wonderful way to talk to your students about feelings, cause and effect, positive attitudes, and mindset.  Check out the book trailer below.

Insomnia got the better of me, but it's great for you!

Last night I found myself wide awake at 3am. My mind running in circles of lists of things I needed to do.  So at 3am I made an activity sheet to go with "What If Everybody Did That".

So I hope you get some use from my lack of sleep =)
Get the activities here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_6T4rR2pFj5MEVnUjNCQWE1cE0/view?usp=sharing

"What If Everybody.."

I love this story for so many reasons:

1) The illustrations really engage the students.
2) You can introduce so many topics with it:
           - Character Education Traits like responsibility, respect, and citizenship.
           - The importance of classroom, school, and community rules/laws.
           - Rules and consequences
           - Cause and effect
3) It works for a variety of ages. It's always hard to find a book that appeals the masses, but I've used this book for grades 2-5th and they all love it.


In fact I love it so much I made some discussion cards for students. You can use the cards to help facilitate discussion as you read or as a game (Quiz Quiz Trade) at the end of the story. You could also use the cards as writing prompts!  Get them at my TPT store.

These discussion cards are a companion for the book "What If Everybody Did That" by Ellen Javernick. You can use the cards as you read the story or as a discussion/review game at the end. This 20 page packet includes: 80 question cards, directions to play Quiz Quiz Trade, and connections to Common Core and ASCA Mindsets. Some of the cards ask similar questions, but they are differentiated for your grade and reading level of your students. There is also a blank card for you to create your own question.

More office pics

Back To School- My August Lessons

Here is a sneak peak at my August lessons. I am in the special area rotation on Thursdays and Fridays, so I see most of  my classes just one time a month. On occasion I see them twice so I'll have an add on lesson for them.

Check out my scope and sequence for classroom lessons, character education, small groups and more for this year.

This month all of our lessons are about getting to know the counselor, our class rules and procedures, and practice working with partners and individually. For a list of the discussion questions I used for my books click here.


1st- I introduced myself with a Prezi so the students could learn all about me.
*note when you share all about your furry family they will want to share all about their furry family. I tell students to save their stories for later and if we have time at the end of class they can write me a letter and tell me all about their families.

As the Prezi goes on we stop and discuss.

At this point we talk about our classroom rules and consequences (both good and bad.)

We also stopped to take roll and take turns waiting our turn and listening.

I asked each student to tell me one place they might like to visit some day.

We also stop to practice activities I do frequently. Student's practice "partner turn and talk" and share with a neighbor what they want to be when they grow up.

When we got to my love of books we reviewed our class reward system of putting a name in a cup to win a book. We also discussed the consequences of making irresponsible and disrespectful choices in class.

At the end of the Prezi read with "David Goes to School" or "Dog Gone School."

 "David Goes To School" Discussion Questions

David Goes to School Writing Activity 

At the end of "David Goes To School" we made a list of "No David"- things he did in the book he shouldn't have and we shouldn't do at school and then "Yes David" - what he should have done instead. 

2nd- I showed them a power point all about me. As we went through the power point together I had the student's complete the " My School Counselor Is" sheet by Savvy School Counselor. *

As part of this power point we discussed how school counselors are like Mr. Potato head. If we had time students created their own unique Mr. Potato Heads and we discussed what makes us unique and respecting differences. Get your “Potato Peeps” Glyph from Savvy School Counselor here.

If we didn't have time we read "Why Do I Have To Eat Off the Floor"by Chris Hornsey and discussed we had to have class, school, community, and national rules/laws. 

Cosmo Career Canine

I've seen this idea around, but I am finally trying it. This year I have a stuffed pup "Cosmo" who will be the 2nd grade "career canine." I picked up 4 Cosmo's at Walgreens last year for like $2 total. They were on clearance after Valentines maybe. Anyway I figured it would be a good way to test it out and I wouldn't be too heart broken if Cosmo never made it back to school.

How it works:

Each month I'll pick 1-4 students that have been nominated for outstanding character and let them take Cosmo home. While he visits with them for 2 weeks the students should journal about what he learns about their guardian(s) job(s). He can go to work with the parent/guardian and in each Cosmo bag will be sample interview questions for the parents about their career and  if applicable college education. 

Then when the student's return Cosmo I"ll copy a journal page and display it in the hallway and do a quick blurb on our morning announcements about the career he learned about. To get us started Cosmo spent the day with several of our staff members. 

Here is a quick intro to Cosmo along with interview questions for students.