Looking for an introductory First Grade Self Control Activity? Your students will love this fun story and craft for practice!
Ladies and Gentleman... we officially have the first week down in the books!! And what an AMAZING week it was!! #BestFirstWeekEver!! My kiddos are just awesome. We learned a lot and laughed a lot! My own children also had a great week (aside from a quick bout of a stomach bug that kept one home for a day!). My oldest, Drew, started 1st grade. My middle, Quinn, started Kindergarten. And my toddler twins, Addy and Chase, began two-mornings-a-week preschool. Additionally, Mr. Musings from the Middle School (my husband Dennis), started a new school year, too! Phew!! My head is spinning! Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great weekend and recovering from this busy time of year. This post is mainly a pictorial of some of the goings on in my classroom this week. As we settle into our routine, I'll be back with more "meaty" posts (and hopefully some new videos, too!). One of my favorite activities from the week was this Growth Mindset lesson that I adapted from here. Basically, the kids had to create the image on top using just a piece of paper and scissors. It was NOT easy... but that's exactly the point! As the kids worked, I wrote down some of the comments I heard. Things like, "this is impossible," and "I give up!" After I let them struggle for a while, I brought them back together and discussed the activity with them. It was eye-opening to see their words. They all agreed that their attitude was too negative so of course they would never have been successful. Then we read the Growth Mindset posters hanging in our room and discussed what each one meant. I closed with this video from Khan Academy. It was a fun and powerful lesson. One of the BEST purchases I made from TpT for this school year is the Icebreakers that Rock bundle from Cult of Pedagogy. This product contains three PowerPoint activities that allow students to talk to each other in an easy, comfortable way. What is great about these is that you can use them as one, big activity, or you can break them up, showing just a few slides here and there, as "brain breaks" through out the day. That is how I used them. So, on the first day, I did a big "Find Someone Who" activity with them. This allowed all the kids to learn each other's names. Next, I assigned them all their lockers and we practiced opening the combination locks (super-stressful for these first time locker users)! After that, we did a few slides from Icebreakers that Rock. Then, we went over the syllabus. Next, a few more Icebreakers that Rock slides. After that, I handed out and went over all the paperwork that had to go home and be signed (oh, the paperwork!!!). Then, a few more slides right before lunch. And then a few more right after lunch. Next up, a tour of the building. Then a few more slides before trying our lockers again. Finally, another slide right before dismissal. It was the perfect break/filler/attention-getter/distraction to use throughout the day... actually, I used the slides throughout the whole week! Run to TpT and pick this product up today! Totally worth every penny. (Some of the slides can be done silently. I LOVED these slides!!) Of course, we had to number our notebooks to get ready for ELA next week. I always tell kids that this is the easiest, most difficult task that we do all year :) I really the love smell of a Mr. Sketch anchor poster in the morning! This year, I'm starting with Reading Nonfiction: Notice and Note Stances, Signposts, and Strategies. My thinking is that it will really help with getting started with Article of the Week. Here is one of several of the posters I'll be using to teach these strategies. I'm jumping on the #ObserveMe bandwagon! Read more about it here. I'll keep you updated on how this goes throughout the year! Okay... that is enough for now! The beach is calling my name... nothing beats September here at the Jersey Shore! Hope the back-to-school season is treating you well! I'd love to hear how your school year is going so far. Happy Teaching!!
Body sensations Interoception Activity for helping pupils to identify the sensations they get in their bodies when they are feeling different emotions
One of my biggest strengths (and weaknesses) is that I’m outspoken. There’s not much in the realm of school counseling that I don’t have a strong opinion about. That means there’s some things that are commonplace among other counselors that I don’t do – because they just aren’t in the best interest of my students. […]
Running a self control group counseling program? Your students will love these 10 games to teach kids self control skills!
Games, songs, and more!
Are you a School Counselor, Psychologist, or Speech Pathologist who has a “LUNCH BUNCH” or...
Quick, fun, no-prep SEL lesson activities that are perfect for before and after breaks or any time you need an extra fun guidance lesson
Behavior : Good or Bad choices (right or wrong) This worksheet activity for the students in your group as well as students who have a hard time making good choices. (Decision Making right, wrong, good or bad worksheet,activity, social skill kids) Which students behave as good students and which ones aren’t? The students can color the smiley face for Yes or the sad face for No. Enjoy and If you like the this worksheet Please follow my store Thank you so much. (Educa Studio by AJP)
Help your students refocus on their goals and identify the strengths they have that will help them persevere and finish the school year strong with this fun perseverance activity!
Back to School Survey for Middle and High School Students - FREE and FUN way to meet your students.
Coaching parents and educators on disarming communication and social-emotional regulation to support the brain and growing children.
If you're looking for interoception activities for kids to improve internal body awareness and self-regulation, these ideas will inspire you!
Have you ever had a class with so many difficult, disruptive students that you felt that you could barely even teach? What can you do to get past it? In this post, I am going to address this problem with my best advice, and some advice from others as well.
Tried and true strategies to re-engage students and keep them engaged in their education for the rest of the school year.
Here’s a little comic I made to explain consent to children (and their grown-ups). Some kids like hugs and kisses; others don’t, and it’s perfectly fine. Teachers and parents, feel free to print it for personal or school use (no commercial use, please). […]
Let’s talk about creating and using tactile schedules in the classroom. If you have a Teacher of the Visually Impaired that works with you, they may provide you with a kit or schedule pieces from the library of the blind. Here is a link to my local library. Check with your state and see if you […]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) worksheets for anxiety provide individuals with an effective way to address and manage their anxious thoughts and behaviors. These worksheets offer a structured approach to help individuals identify their specific worries, understand the underlying causes of their anxiety, and develop practical strategies to cope with it. Perfect for those seeking self-help options or for therapists looking to supplement their sessions, CBT worksheets on anxiety offer a valuable resource for anyone struggling with excessive worry and fear.
Too many classroom icebreakers require students to take big social risks with people they barely know. Or they don't really help students get to know each other. Or they are just plain cheesy.
Can you relate?
For too many art teachers, assessment remains a difficult concept. It’s tough to know what’s going to work, how it can be implemented, and how it can be incorporated to actually help improve teaching. In this episode, Tim takes on some of these concerns and shares his ideas on making assessment valuable. Heather Crocket, the […]
Every teacher needs a few fun, fast, easy, tricks up his/her sleeve. Here are a few easy classroom management tricks I've picked up over the years. Need a Second to Get Ready for the Next
“My irritability physically hurts."
Looking for ways to keep your kids active at home? Show them how fun exercising can be with my 20 AWESOME exercises for kids!
These are great examples of therapist website examples featuring private practices, child therapists, group practices and physical therapist websites!
A lot of teachers have had their fair share of disrespectful learners in the profession. At some point in your carrier you have met a learner who...
Have you ever thought about using wordless videos in your speech therapy lessons? It increases engagement! Start with these videos...
Free printable Feelings Charts with an explanation and tools on how to use them. Many charts available. No registration required.
When a student elopes, it’s one of those behaviors we generally cannot ignore. Here are 3 ways to support students when this happens.
Resilience is one of my favorite topics to teach. Here are 6 tools that will help bring classroom lessons and small groups to life.
It's hard to talk to students without making it a lecture. Empower students while you teach them about respect using hands on activities
This Smilies Follow Directions Worksheet is a great way for students to improve their direction reading skills. By reading and following the directions, students can draw faces on the templates. This is a fun and effective way for students to learn and practice this important skill. Smilies Follow Directions Worksheet
Ensuring students know the value and power of their courage is crucial for upper elementary students’ social-emotional learning and growth. Get easy-to-implement ideas, courage activities, suggested titles for books on bravery, and courage lesson plans to help you create a classroom community where
