Crafty Anger Management Chart

I'm am so excited to share this new madness strategy chart I created for a kiddo at my school.  A "cool-down" kit had too many options and the student ended up tearing up the kit and throwing it at others.  To help the student have a little more structure I created a chart, with approved strategies from his teacher, that he can choose from.  A couple of the strategies are super desirable, so to ensure the student wasn't getting mad just to avoid work we made a system where once he has used a strategy for the day he should choose a different one later if he is needing it. 

Essentially I created a social story that is hands on.  I purchased scrapbook pages and put "When I get Mad I can ..."  Then I attached the little clear command hooks on the bottom (I was afraid they would be too heavy and tug on the plastic cover of the page, but that wasn't the case).  Then on the hooks there are 5 strategies (visual and written) that the student can choose from.  I'm so excited how it turned out :)

I Stand Corrected :)

Wow!  This is so cool. I do an empathy lesson where I have the students literally stand in someone's shoes. This game is going to be more interactive for the class and just as good, if not better, illustration when we are working on empathy. SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!  Oh ya. And this app is only .99 too!

Best. App. Ever!

I just found an awesome app. It's for upstanders (my new change this year from bystander). The best part- its a game. I know some of my upstanders will love it. I would love to figure out if I can get it up on the SmartBoard for my upstanders lesson. Kids would love it (and this app was only .99). Woo-hoo. Score Ms. Bruce. 

And just like that ... A brand new year!

I clearly need a course in blogging so that I don't drop off of the face of the planet when (ahem) testing begins. Incidentally I would like to give props to the state of NC. If you at all turned on your television this summer you probably heard the state of North Carolina mentioned every time they talked about education. Amongst the many things they did wrong, the one thing they finally got right was removing test coordination from School Counselors!  Hallelujah! So hopefully I will be better at blogging this year.  I am also happy to say that this year I am fully implementing the ASCA National Model at my school. Our district doesn't require it, so of course my first two years I was just trying to hold my head above water (while still implementing parts). This year it's on!  I can't wait to report back to you. Hope you're having a great start to your year!

Try 3 Then Me

Banners - Medium by Vistaprint

In an effort to encourage our students to try some strategies to solve friendship issues during recess my AP and I came up with an idea to display a banner on the fence of our playground.  I can't wait to report back and share how it goes :)

Finally ... Made Some Calming Jars

I've decided to be a bit quicker about making my counseling crafts when I discover them.  It started with these calming jars.  I started with one, got a little glitter happy, and ended up with three.  It turns out if you add a ton of glitter to one, it might just be too much :)  So a little back and forth, some hot water, and voila!  Can't wait to bring these to school on Tuesday (yay President's Day).

If you have some cool counseling craft ideas I would love to hear about them!

The School Counselor's Chronicle: Bloglovin!

Check this out!  Very Cool!

The School Counselor's Chronicle: Bloglovin!: My bookmark toolbar is so over crowded its become quite the chore to click through all the blogs I read looking for updates. This predicamen...

Another Great Idea from Awesome School Counselors

Coral Canyon Elementary School Counseling: National School Counseling Week Link Party: The first week in February has been declared National School Counseling Week and it's a great opportunity for School Counselors everywher...

National School Counseling Week Link Party!

Woo-Hoo!  I'm so excited that it is National School Counseling Week.  My single favorite week of the year.  Here at I (Heart) School Counseling I love to advocate for our profession.  There are so many wonderful school counselors out there I can't think of a greater profession to give props to :)

This year, my second year as a professional school counselor, I am continuing my efforts last year by going on the morning news every day (hopefully not over the top) and reading a version of the wonderful words put forth by the American School Counseling Association.  (If you're interested get them here down at the bottom of the page).  In addition, I want our staff to know just how much I value them and they make my counseling program possible.  And, since it is the month of love, I'm going to make a version of this super cool idea I found on Pinterest.  Check it out here!  I haven't come up with my notecard idea to put them on, but it will most definitely have to do with love.

A shout-out to jyj counselor for reposting Danielle aka schcounselor.com for this amazing idea.