COURAGE

This months Guidance Lesson is all about COURAGE! 

"Being brave enough to do what you should even when you're afraid". 

Normal fears such as walking into a dark basement, public speaking in front of a large group, going to a new school or meeting someone new for the first time can be very scary. Finding the courage within yourself to overcome and face your fears can maximize your potential so you can be the best person you can be.

 

OBEDIENCE

To further my lesson on Obedience, I played a quick video with Artie the Monkey from The Big Idea Experience. The kids really enjoy Artie's humor and outgoing personality. 

~ OBEDIENCE ~

"Trusting those who lead you by doing what you're asked to do".

 

In Guidance class, students will get a better understanding of what obedience means and how it can maximize your potential. Children will watch a fun video about how a science experiment can go wrong if you don't listen and follow the adults directions. They will also get to participate in a fun activity. The color of the month is yellow and the animal of the month is the horse. 

~ KINDNESS ~

~ SELF CONTROL ~

~ SPOOKLEY~

The Square Pumpkin

October is Bully Awareness month and Spookley the Square Pumpkin is the spokesman for the month of October. Each grade level came as a group to the band room for a showing of the movie. After the movie, I spoke to the students about how Spookley is teased by the round pumpkins for being square. We also discussed how Spookley reacted to the bully behaviors and how Spookley saved the day. 

DARE TO BE SQUARE!

 

CREATIVITY!

The month of October is filled with CREATIVITY! During guidance lesson, we have been discussing the importance of being creative. Taking the time to encourage creativity increases problem-solving skills, self esteem and positivity! Being creative is not limited to pencil and paper. Creativity can be expressed through song, dance and style of clothes. 

 

~Spookley The Square Pumpkin~

October is Bully Awareness Month and Spookley The Square Pumpkin is here to help teach the kids that you can't judge a book or pumpkin by its cover! 

Spookley wasn't like the other pumpkins in the patch. The round and plump pumpkins would tease Spookley because he was SQUARE! When a fall storm blew through the farm, Spookley knew what needed to be done and he saved the day. Differences is what makes you unique and special. Way to go Spookley!

 

RESPONSIBILITY

Showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you.

The word of the month is RESPONSIBILITY. The animal of the month is the Rooster. Roosters are shown as being very responsible. They wake up early in the morning to alert the rest of the farm animals. Roosters are also protectors of the hens from predators such as fox, cats, dogs and even small children. 

In what ways do YOU demonstrate RESPONSIBILITY?

Most of the students discussed being a responsible pet owner. We listed on the white board several ways in which the students demonstrated responsibility with their pet. The students really enjoyed sharing stories of their favorite pet with the class. 

 

NEW STUDENT?

     As part of our Month of RESPECT, I made a life size drawing of a average sized kid on white paper and taped it in the front of the room. The students were asked to pick a name for the "new student", decide on hair color, style, type of shirt and pants. The name "Bob" was a favorite among several classrooms. 

     The students and I continued our discussion on the topic of RESPECT. When I saw students not being respectful during the lesson, for example, talking while I was teaching, I would remove a piece of "Bob". The students were shocked when Bob lost an arm or leg. I explained that someone in the classroom was being disrespectful but it gives us the opportunity to "fix" the wrong. How do we fix disrespect? Answer...by saying you are sorry for the specific wrong and ask what you can do to fix the situation with the other person. What a GREAT lesson!

Golden Rule

"Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated"

What a great topic to discuss during the month of RESPECT. The students also participated in a fun word activity. Nine students were given one of the words from the Golden Rule phrase. I mixed up the nine students in the front of the classroom. The other students and I made a football huddle and tried to guess what the phrase could be. One by one we arranged the nine students in order to say, "Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated". What a FUN learning game!

Jellybean Jamboree

     Friendly Francine, The Neighborly Pink Jellybean made a visit to Mrs. Duffys preschool class this week. Friendly Francine helped the children realize what it takes to be a good friend. As a group we discussed different ways show friendship. Sharing toys, asking others to play, being kind and polite are many ways to be a good friend. The children were given a color page of Friendly Francine at the end of the lesson.

R~E~S~P~E~C~T

Find out what it means to me! 

The word of the month in my Counselors Corner is RESPECT. Students learned the definition of respect as well as disrespect. Respect is showing others they are important by what you SAY and DO. Tone of voice is also an important part of RESPECT. Students were asked to share their ideas of how people show respect to others in various situations and places. 

I Mustache You A Question!

Have you ever wondered what caterpillars are afraid of? What the crunchy stuff in a Butterfinger candy bar is made of? When a cow laughs, does milk come out its nose? Those were some of the questions our 5th and 6th grade students asked each other during Guidance Class. I expanded the lesson on Leadership to incorporate speaking and listening skills. Often times conversations will come to an abrupt halt. Successful conversations should be able to circulate in a continuous manner with good flow and growth. A good leader will be able to change topics, interact with everyone in the group, listen to others without judgement and give their own opinion. Of course the students had to wear a cut out mustache during our activity!

LEADERSHIP!

What does it take to be a good leader? Just ask the 5th and 6th grade students. CAUTION: ANSWERS MAY SURPRISE YOU!!

My guidance lesson this week was set up to gradually make the students comfortable talking to each other, gaining trust and ending with talking in front of a large group. By giving the students a fun size pack of M&M's or Skittles, the students would pull out a candy and answer a question. Each color of candy represented a different question. For example, red was the favorite hobby. After 30 minutes of sharing in various groups, students gained insight into others and learned more about themselves. I could see confidence beginning to grow in all of the students.

At the end of the lesson, I asked the most challenging question. "What barriers did you overcome in this task"? After a little Q&A, students were allowed to finish their treats.