Tritt Counselor Corner

Week of March 23-27

This week in third grade, I am doing a lesson on the decision-making process. I will tell the students that the steps in making a decision are like a traffic light. First we need to stop (red), think and consider outcomes or conquences (yellow) and then go with the best decision (green). I will have them help me walk through the choices in a situation and then they will be put in groups. Each group will have a decision card and they will fill out a worksheet with the choices they have, the outcomes of those choices, and the decision they think is best. At the end of the lesson, each group will present to the class. My goal is to stretch the students to have them consider all of the possiblities and to think about whether they would consider a choice even if there are negative results.

This Friday, Shannon Bond will begin her "Touching Rule" lessons and she will finish on April 3rd.

Week of March 23-27

This week in first grade, I am completing the lesson on Responsibility. I am reading the book Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane DeGroat. The students love this book and I use it to help teach the lesson that we need to be responsible for what we say and what we do. In the book, Gilbert finds this out when he writes unkind valentines to two of his classmates. Another part of the lesson involves talking about the responsibilities that the students have at home and at school.

Next week I will begin the lesson about personal safety, especially around strangers.

This Week in 1st Grade

This week in first grade, I am beginning a new lesson on careers. The focus is on beginning to think about what the students might be when they grow up. I will be reading a great book called How Santa Got His Job and the focus of the book is on how Santa tried many jobs before he found the one that was right for him. This is a fun book that relates interests and skills with finding the best job for each person. We will be talking about how the students are already beginning to discover the kinds of things they are interested in. These interests can guide them when it is time to choose their own adult career. I will also be tying together how learning in school is also important for their future job success. Each student will get a chance to draw and write about what they think they want to be when they are grown and a classroom book will be made from their pages.

Kindergarten Update

    Thank you to all parents who sent me flowers and student-made cards for National School Counselors Week. It warms my heart to know that what Debbie and I do here at Tritt is recognized and appreciated!

    Here is what I will be doing in my lessons for the next two weeks in Kindergarten. I will be focusing on friendship and making good behavior choices. I will be reading Hunter's Best Friend at School. Hunter's friend Stripe doesn't make good behavior choices at school and Hunter joins in. Hunter's mother helps him to realize that being best friends doesn't mean that you have to go along with what your friend is doing. She tells Hunter that he should try to help Stripe be his best self by setting a good example for him. We will also be talking about what qualities to look for in a good friend.

Welcome to the Counselor's Corner Blog

August 15, 2008

It has been great to see all of the smiling faces this week as we begin our 2008-2009 school year.  We know it is going to be a great year for everyone--teachers and students!

Next week, we will be meeting with the students in grades 1-5 who are new to Tritt this year.  We will meet with those students twice to take them on a school tour, take their picture for our Newcomers' poster, talk about how their transition to a new school is going, and to play one of the Newcomers' games.  These groups give us a chance to check in with our new students and to help with any difficulties they may be having.

Setting up routines early in the school year is very important for helping students be ready to learn. *Consider routines to help children be able to relax in the morning such as picking out their clothes the night before or playing soothing music while they are getting ready.

*A good breakfast starts the day off right and helps increase concentration.  Offering healthly food choices is very important.

*Talking about the day lets your child know that you care about what he/she is doing here at school.  Ask questions such as "What was the best part of your day at school?"

*Establishing a time and place for homework and studying is very important.  Try to set up times when your child is most alert.  If students do their homework or study late at night, they will not do their best work.

*A set bedtime helps children fall asleep more quickly.  We suggest doing quiet activities before sleep such as reading or talking about the day.

*See that your child gets to school on time.  Coming into the classroom late often sets the mood and pace for day.  If your child has the opportunity to ride the bus, have them ride the bus. They are starting the day behind.

We are here to help in any way that we can.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at 770-642-5633.