A few weeks ago I was preparing professional development for first and second year teachers in my school district. New teachers not only need the basics of classroom management, routines, procedures and relationships....but this year they also need training on how to effectively be a remote educator. The first year of teaching is difficult under normal circumstances, but this is no normal year. I feel for these first year teachers as so much extra is being added to their already overflowing plate. To acknowledge the amount of stress each new teacher is facing, I started with a What's On Your Plate? activity. This is a great activity to use with any age (youth all the way to adults)! The purpose of the activity is for participants to honor all of the issues and tasks they have on their mind. We have all heard the analogy, "My plate is really full." Which is a code phrase for, "My brain is so full, I literally can't fit any more in it!" We have all been there. We all know how stressful a full or overflowing plate can be. Whats On Your Plate? gives participants a chance to get all of those thoughts swimming around in their brains out on paper. This activity acknowledges how many responsibilities and commitments everyone has, and then allows them to set those thoughts aside and be fully present for the meeting, class period, activity, etc. See below for materials, instructions and plate example.
This colorful grow a rainbow experiment will amaze your kids! Learn how to grow a rainbow within minutes by using paper towels, markers, and two cups of water.
Learn how to integrate art into your plant science activities by having students make chlorophyll paintings. Similar to leaf rubbings, this simple science based art project is a fun and creative extension for teaching kids about photosynthesis.
The Lemon Volcano Science Experiment is a simple and fun way to get kids excited about science and engaged and learning while at home.
This is an anger volcano pack with visuals and worksheets to help pupils with their anger. Anger is a secondary emotion.
If you are wondering how to help your child overcome fear, here is a 4 step process to help them manage and overcome feelings of worry and fear.
By Barbara Gruener Okay, I’ll admit it: When I was growing up, I had no idea how to deal with my anger well. Not one little bit. During my formative years, I was sent to my room to get over my bad …
20 school-wide kindness initiatives for elementary school counseling. Get students engaged in kindness activities with these fun ideas!
The Colour Your Feelings A5 Notepad is about monitoring feelings and colouring them on the body shape. Where do you feel different feelings?
Use this craft and activity to teach coping strategies for anxiety, anger, stress, and other strong emotions. Kids and young adults will complete a lesson to learn about coping strategies and then create an ice pop craft with their individualized strategies chosen. This craft includes over 30 unique coping strategies for kids and young adults to choose from. This would be the perfect spring or summer activity while still focusing on learning critical skills! Why Teach Coping Strategies Coping strategies are any activity that can help calm emotions and stress. Kids and young adults may often experience difficult emotions but do not have appropriate coping strategies for dealing with those feelings. Just some of the coping strategies discussed and practiced within this resource include: listening to music, taking a walk, coloring, deep breathing, focusing on an object, using positive self-talk, practicing yoga, counting to ten, talking to a friend, and much more. How to Use Students will complete a worksheet that discusses and reviews the concept of coping strategies. To complete the craft, kids will select 2 or more coping strategies, cut out all the pieces, and glue them together. Note that step-by-step directions with photos are included to make it easy! Kids can add as many coping strategies to their ice pop to make it taller! The top of the ice pop says "I can...", encouraging kids to internalize using those strategies to help them manage emotions. After completing their craft, kids are encouraged to practice those strategies, as it is essential for kids to practice those strategies when they are calm. This will allow kids to learn how to use those same strategies when they are angry, sad, frustrated, or any other strong emotion. Alternatively, a blank version is available for kids to write in their own completely individualized strategies. Some of the strategies include: • Use positive self-talk • Write in a journal • Take a walk • Practice yoga • Think of a happy place • Slowly count to ten • Listen to music • Color or draw • Talk to someone • Read • Make a list of choices • Take 5 deep breaths • And many more! Need MORE Coping Strategies? { Mindfulness and Coping Strategies MEGA Bundle } This is a HUGE bundle with over 500 pages focused on teaching mindfulness and coping strategies to encourage self-control, happiness, positivity, and many more positive outcomes. It contains a variety of lessons, workbooks, posters, task cards, foldable crafts, and much more! Tips for Customers: Click here to follow my store for new resources and freebies. If you have questions, please contact me through Q & A and I'll get back to you as soon as I can! Please consider leaving feedback on this resource to receive TpT credits! I always strive for 5 stars and love hearing your feedback. Terms of Use: © Pathway 2 Success. One license is for the classroom/personal use for one educator and their students. Materials may not be shared with other educators without the purchase of extra licenses. Materials may not be posted on the Internet where they can be publicly accessed. Personal and classroom use only. Please see full terms of use for more information. Disclaimer: These resources are for supplementary support/education purposes and are not a replacement for education or other necessary supports. Educators, parents, and others who utilize these materials are encouraged to seek out additional support, as needed.
School Counseling Crafts: 5 ways to use lunch bags in school counseling for divorce, anger management, mindfulness, giving, and grief from Mental Fills.
Tonight I'm enjoying the sound of wind chimes through the window as the winds shift and winter blows back in. It's cold outside, so I'm staying bundled up inside and checking in just long enough to share a bulletin board I made today, to complement a lesson I'll be starting tomorrow on friendship. And, before I unplug again, some reflections on friendship: Making and keeping friends is an important skill for children to learn. Not only are friends fun to have around, but healthy attachments are an important part of a child's experience in school. Children that can form friendships tend to adjust to the school experience better because they're more likely to develop self-esteem and build important social skills, like getting along, cooperating and problem-solving. Since students don't come to school with these skills neatly tucked away in their backpack, we must be modeling, teaching, and practicing them in our day-to-day interactions right alongside of and, dare I say it, woven into academic content. How do you help your children find friends that fit? Here are some goals that friends can work on as new relationship opportunities present themselves: *Cooperate and be kind to others. *Be willing to play fairly, take turns, and share. *Listen to others' ideas. *Apologize and forgive one another. *Express feelings appropriately. Use "I" statements to share how you're feeling and what you need from your friends. *Practice empathy to respond to friends' feelings in an understanding, helpful way. *Be honest and loyal to your friends. *Keep a positive attitude and hang out with friends who uplift you. *Show respect. Be the kind of friend that you would want to have. *Express gratitude and appreciation. Encourage your children to choose one of these goals at a time to work on as they learn how each one looks, sounds, and feels in their world at their age. Remember that how these goals play out will change slightly through the ages and stages. Talk with your child(ren) about the qualities that they look for in a friend. Ask questions like these: *How did you decide on those qualities? *What do you usually do to make a new friend? *What advice would you give a classmate who is having a hard time making friends? *Would you want to be your friend? Why or why not? *What qualities do you have to offer to someone that might make you a good-fit friend? To enrich the discussion, have students trace their hands onto a paper, left on one side, right on the other. On the right hand, have them write five strengths that they bring to a friendship. On the other hand, have them write five areas for growth, things that they could do better in their friendships. If you don't have access to paper-pen supplies, partners can put their hands together as if they're giving a high-five and take the Five Finger Friendship Challenge aloud. Finally, check out these resources for additional friendship tips: 1. Do Kids Need Friends? 2. The Art of Boosting Your Child's Friendship Skills 3. Fostering Friendships
Self-advocacy does not mean “doing it all yourself” without the help of others. Characteristics of Self-Advocacy Students with disabilities require self-advocacy characteristics and skills for a su…
A Blog from a 1st Grade Class.
A seriously silly and fun activity my students did at the end of the year-- I am also going to add it to my drawing activity binder for this...
These ideas are on point.
Activity pack of "Helping Kids Identify Emotions" includes engaging worksheets to explore BIG feelings in a fun, visual & interactive way!
Monday I felt absolutely terrible. There was no real reason, no real trigger. I just felt blue, out of the blue (ha! sorry, (...) Read More
