100 Days of School Activities

The 100th Day of School is fast approaching in many school districts.  Since we started school in August, we will have our 100th day on February 4!

Check out some awesome resources on the web:

From A to Z Teacher Stuff 

Hacks from Tip Junkie:
75 Great Ideas for the 100th Day of School

Really Good Stuff
When you want to purchase instead!

Apples for the Teacher
Lots of good resources, activity sheets and more for grades K-8.


Create Your Own Special T-Shirt

I have created some of my own T-shirts using designs made on word or publisher.  It is really easy!  Follow the steps here:

1)  Create your own design or find a picture in the free domain or purchase one on Pinterest.  There is probably a lot of free clip art right on your computer!

2) Use a lot of bright color and make it big.  Kids like bright colors and big designs, plus they will stand out better on a t-shirt.

3) Purchase a t-shirt at the fabric store.  I have found yellow t-shirts at bargain prices during Christmas time when everyone wants green, red, and white.  In fact, I was able to purchase 8 yellow t-shirts for 25 cents each in adult sizes.  Many times new t-shirts can be found at 3 or 4 for a $1.00.  Be sure to wash your shirt before you apply your design.

4) Purchase Fabric Transfers.  I use Avery 8.5" x 11" Light Fabric Transfers.  You get six sheets in a package.

5) After you have created or downloaded your design, print it out on regular paper in color to see if it is the correct size and color(s) you want.

6) If all is OK, print your design on the fabric transfer sheet.  Follow the directions - it's easy.  Instead of paper, simply print on the fabric sheet which you load right into your own printer!

7) Follow the instructions on the fabric sheet package.  Get your iron hot and ready and GO!

8)  You have now created a great t-shirt.  Wear it with a smile!

Happy National School Counselor Week

February 1 - 5, 2016

 Check out National School Counselor Week activities and ideas on Pinterest!  Click here. 

Here is a special offer for you from Counselor Games!

Check out the Play Therapy Workshop Special.  Learn play therapy techniques using everyday games to teach anger control, stress management, decision making, relationship building, making friends, communication skills and much more.  It is hand-on curriculum at your fingertips!

Visual, Auditory, Hands-On
Ages 3 - 93
Everyone Loves Games

Free Giant Pick-Up Sticks with your Play Pack order for National School Counselor Week. 

Offer expires February 8, 2016. 

Contact us at info @counselorgames.com 

Coming out soon:  Free eBook

Quotes for Student Success

This is a collaborative project from educators around the country who have shared their favorite quotes for success that they use with students. 

Look for it on March 1, 2016.

 

How to Make a Great First Impression

8 Ways to Make a Great First Impression at Your Open House

1.   Smile.   A smile fills you with warmth and confidence.  People like to be around other people who are happy and enthusiastic.   People like to look at your eyes to get a sense of who you are.  Body language studies show that if you raise your eyebrows in conversation you convey that you are positive and authentic.  Look people in the eyes, but do not glare or stare. 

2   2.  Greet people at the door when they enter your room.  Remain standing throughout your presentation.  Do not sit down to talk to a group of parents or visitors to your room or office.  Standing shows energy and with-it-ness. 

 

   3.     Shake hands and greet people with a firm handshake, but not one to squish their fingers.  

   4.      Treat everyone like they have the power to change your destiny.  Everyone should be treated with respect and importance when they meet with you. 

   5.       The little details matter.  Wear professional dress and suit it up.  Stand up straight with your shoulders back.  Have a fresh cut or style to your hair.  Have a breath mint or spray on hand.  Sometimes when you get nervous your mouth gets dry and this could make you feel like your tongue is sticking to your teeth.  Do not use a piece of gum.  No one wants to see you chew away while you are talking or worse yet, see the piece of gum in your mouth!

   6.      Prepare your two minute elevator speech.  This is what you want to say about your classroom or practice or what you do.  Include the main details.  At the end include something personal about yourself, for example you might want to end with something like, “On a personal note, I have two children and a wonderful husband of eight years.”  Or “I love to travel and I will be helping to chaperone the school trip to Spain this summer.” People like to know people and what they do.  They are naturally curious.  Be willing to share one item of personal interest like a hobby, pet, or something interesting about your family.  Teachers and counselors are in positions of authority and parents like knowing you are human.  Some of them may even be intimidated by you.  Do not be too personal.  One item is enough. 

 

    7.      Have some material for everyone to take with them when they leave.  Everyone should walk away with something in their hand.  This could be as simple as a business card with your email and/or website.  You might have a flyer with school information and  special hours when you can be contacted easily.  

    8.      Open house and Parent Informational Nights are not the time for personal consultations or counseling sessions. They will have questions and concerns.   Let them know gently, but firmly, you will be happy to talk with them later, but not at this event.   The contact information is on the card or in the flyer.  “I will look forward to your call.”

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Don't Stress - Click here for a stress workbook
                            This workbook is reproducible for your students, parents, or faculty.  It includes self-assessments and costs less than $3.

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Grace Wilhelm is a National Board Certified Counselor with over sixteen years  experience.  She enthusiastically presents to counselors, teachers, youth workers, and parents on anger, stress, crises intervention, communication, data, counseling programs, play sessions, and more.

Mrs. Wilhelm has been awarded ASCA National School Counselor of the Year Semifinalist, RAMP, and FLDOE Parent Involvement Award.  She has written student workbooks on anger control and stress management. She has completed two DVDs on Games and Play to Enhance Counseling and Teaching Strategies: Creative Ways to Engage Students in Small Groups, Classrooms or Individual Counseling Sessions.

Speaking engagements have taken Grace as far away as Papua New Guinea. She currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Mark and three children.  She enjoys traveling, genealogy and playing the violin.

Symptoms of Stress

This is a simple list to use with students.  Many students suffer from the effects of stress.  Understanding that stress is causing these symptoms can help you attack the problems and find effective ways to deal with the stress at hand.  

Symptoms of Stress

          Look at the following list of physical symptoms.  Rate each symptom using the following scale: 

                       

                          5 – Always   4 – Most of the time   3 – Sometimes  

                                    2 – Not Much of the Time      1 - Never

                                                   

Headaches                           

Stomach aches                   

Diarrhea                            

Constipation                        

Nausea                             

Heartburn                         

Urinating often                         

High blood pressure             

Heart pounding                  

Pain in lower neck            

Back pain                        

Jaw pain                            

Muscle tics/jerks                 

No appetite                        

Feeling full without eating          

Unable to fall asleep           

Waking in middle of night         

Waking up too early             

Fainting                             

Feeling tired                       

Short of breath                  

Dry throat or mouth            

Teeth grinding                    

Unable to sit still                  

Extra energy                      

Stuttering                          

Uncontrollable crying          

Not able to cry                   

Smoking                            

Use of alcohol                        

Use of drugs                      

Use of aspirin                     

Nervous feelings                           

Tenseness                         

Dizziness                             

Weakness                         

Irritable                             

Depressed                          

Easy to get angry                        

Count the number of symptoms of stress you marked with a 5 or 4.  How many did you have? _______

        If you have 7 or more, you may want to consider talking about your stressors with your parents or your counselor.    If you make an appointment with your counselor what do you think you would talk about? 

_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

Check out games to help students learn about stressors, symptoms, making friends,  study skills, anger control and more at our website:  

http://counselorgames.com/

http://www.counselorgames.com

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