8 Super Charged Resources for School Counselor Week

Happy National School Counselor Week

February 1 - 5, 2016

 

 

There are tons of activities and things to do to get the word out about your comprehensive school counseling program this week.  The internet and social media keep making it easier to find great ideas and tweak them to fit your school or population.  Look for ideas on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and at the ASCA website.  Check out and click the links below.  

 

#1

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

Click here. 

#2

Activities from ASCA.  Click here.

 

 

#3

At my school we are using the morning announcements that ASCA has already written!  How easy is that!  We tweaked it for our own purposes and our principal is reading them out loud after the Pledge of Allegiance.  The announcements reflect the theme of "Recipe for Success" for the week.  

Click here to get the ASCA announcements for your School Counseling Week. 

#4

Create Your Own Special T-Shirt 

 

Some counselors are creating their own t-shirts for National School Counselor Week 

and the 100th Day of School.  

Here are some simple steps to help you create your very own t-shirt with your computer. 

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!

#5

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 hands-on curriculum at your fingertips!

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

 

#6

Find ideas on facebook at Counselor Games.

LIKE Counselor Games on Facebook

#7

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

Offer expires February 8, 2016. 

The Play Pack has everything you need to get started using and implementing play therapy.  

It includes demonstrations and the games.  

 

 

 

#8

Awesome ideas for the 100th Day of School.  Our Day 100 is February 4th. 

100+ Activities for the 100th Day of School

Counselor Games Blog

 Some of these ideas are great to let others know about your counseling program. 

 

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

Contact us at info @counselorgames.com 

Use this one tip to help your students get organized

Use this one game to teach students 

the importance of being organized.  

 

So many of our students struggle to get organized.  Some of them get organized with their supplies, pencils, papers, and then find they have to get organized all over again in about a week.  Why is this?  One reason is because getting organized is often thought of as a waste of time.  Why should I spend an hour organizing my stuff, book bag, locker, papers, etc when it will get all messy again.  I could be doing the work that really matters like writing that essay or completing my project due next Tuesday. 

The key is to teach students that getting organized and keeping things organized will actually same time!  We can get them to see that they will not only save time but they could even have time left over to do other things!  

Everyone loves games because they are visual, auditory, and hands-on.

This concept can easily be taught with a game - Perfection! by Hasbro.  I use this in small groups and in individual counseling.  You will see a BIG AHAA moment on the faces of your students.  This happens over and over when you use the technique described in the video clip below. 

The game has a timer and depending on the version of the game, there are 9, 16 or 25 pieces to fit in slots of the same size and shape within a short period of time.  

I have used all the different versions of this game with students.  

Teach students the importance of organization with a game. 

In this video, an eighth grade student is playing the 9 piece game for the first time.  I reduced the time by half because I want to bring home the point - that you will save time by being organized.  If you organize yourself and supplies before a project or homework you will actually spend less time on the actual project or homework and get it done in less time.  You will see in this video clip that when the timer goes off, this student jumps out of her skin and scares me half to death!  We left this in the video because it was a genuine and spontaneous response.  This is exactly how my students feel and react when they play the game to learn the concept of organization.  

Get the Ah-haa moment with your students.

Play this game to teach this concept to your students. 

It is creative, engaging and fun!

I have used this techniques with all ages including adults!  Help your parents to see that getting organized is not a waste of time.  When you help your parents, you help your students. 

 

Creative Play Therapy for School

Use play therapy techniques to teach counseling strategies: anger control, stress management, study and organizational skills, making friends, deflating bullies, making decisions and more.  Use everyday, familiar games.  No worksheets to reproduce.  It is auditory, visual, and hands-on!

counselorgames.com

Think, think, think...they are starting to get it!

Help!  I was not organized this morning and now I am late for the bus!

Everyone loves games.

Use this one tip to get kids organized

Use this one game to teach students 

the importance of being organized.  

 

So many of our students struggle to get organized.  Some of them get organized with their supplies, pencils, papers, and then find they have to get organized all over again in about a week.  Why is this?  One reason is because getting organized is often thought of as a waste of time.  Why should I spend an hour organizing my stuff, book bag, locker, papers, etc when it will get all messy again.  I could be doing the work that really matters like writing that essay or completing my project due next Tuesday. 

The key is to teach students that getting organized and keeping things organized will actually same time!  We can get them to see that they will not only save time but they could even have time left over to do other things!  

Everyone loves games because they are visual, auditory, and hands-on.

This concept can easily be taught with a game - Perfection! by Hasbro.  I use this in small groups and in individual counseling.  You will see a BIG AHAA moment on the faces of your students.  This happens over and over when you use the technique described in the video clip below. 

The game has a timer and depending on the version of the game, there are 9, 16 or 25 pieces to fit in slots of the same size and shape within a short period of time.  

I have used all the different versions of this game with students.  

Teach students the importance of organization with a game. 

In this video, an eighth grade student is playing the 9 piece game for the first time.  I reduced the time by half because I want to bring home the point - that you will save time by being organized.  If you organize yourself and supplies before a project or homework you will actually spend less time on the actual project or homework and get it done in less time.  You will see in this video clip that when the timer goes off, this student jumps out of her skin and scares me half to death!  We left this in the video because it was a genuine and spontaneous response.  This is exactly how my students feel and react when they play the game to learn the concept of organization.  

Get the Ah-haa moment with your students.

Play this game to teach this concept to your students. 

It is creative, engaging and fun!

I have used this techniques with all ages including adults!  Help your parents to see that getting organized is not a waste of time.  When you help your parents, you help your students. 

 

Creative Play Therapy for School

Use play therapy techniques to teach counseling strategies: anger control, stress management, study and organizational skills, making friends, deflating bullies, making decisions and more.  Use everyday, familiar games.  No worksheets to reproduce.  It is auditory, visual, and hands-on!

counselorgames.com

Think, think, think...they are starting to get it!

Help!  I was not organized this morning and now I am late for the bus!

Everyone loves games.

Play Therapy for Schools

Counselor Games is Play Therapy for Schools

Learn how to use everyday games to teach kids anger control, stress management, study skills, making friends, decision making and more.  Learn how to integrate the counseling strategies into the games.  Use everyday familiar games such as Don't Break the Ice, Topple, Jumpin' Monkeys, playing cards, Jenga, and pick-up sticks and more.  Add the strategies.  It is hands-on, visual and auditory!  It is engaging, creative and FUN!  

Get your at home professional development

At Counselor Games

The demonstrations in the DVDs show you how.  Easy  and clear demonstrations for you to view by game.  

Your students will love the games.  They will interact and engage with the lesson.  They will be able to think through and apply the lesson ideas and return to your next session eager and ready for more! Content and lesson development comes naturally.  

On sale now-ASCA Special

Teen Resistance to Group Engagement

Teen Group Engagement

http://www.addictionpro.com/article/tackle-teens-resistance-group-engagement

Tackle teens' resistance to group engagement

 

June 4, 2015 by Amanda Gregory

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Teenagers are one of the toughest crowds in therapy. I have led adolescent therapy groups for years, and have grown accustomed to hearing phrases such as, “I don’t need to be here,” “This is stupid,” and “Let’s get this over with.”
Few teens attend therapy voluntarily, as most are required to attend by parents/guardians, school/juvenile officials, and state agencies. Some teens believe they are being forced to attend therapy. One of my teen clients, whom I will call “Cliff,” arrived to his first group with headphones in his ears and a smartphone glued to his hand. He said, “They can force me to come, but they can’t force me to participate.” He was right.

Most of your teenage clients do not wish to contribute. Yet clients who are engaged are more likely to benefit from group therapy. It is your challenge to establish and maintain engagement among your clients. You cannot force them to participate, but you can entice them. I promote engagement by utilizing creative interventions specifically designed to cater to the needs of teenagers.

Playing games
Boredom is the nemesis of teenagers. They are easily bored and have difficulty managing boredom. Therefore, you should avoid using interventions that breed boredom. Worksheets, workbooks, lengthy discussions and videos, when used alone, lead to napping and daydreaming. Teens want to have fun, and your groups can accommodate them.
I lead a weekly substance use educational group for teens. The purpose of this group is to educate teens about the negative impacts of substance use. My agency provided me with a stack of papers with all the information I needed. Some clinicians may have given the teens a few papers per group and led them in a discussion about the material. I would not have stayed awake long enough to lead this group. So I took the information and created quiz games.
The teens worked in groups to answer questions regarding the legal, health and psychological impacts of substance use. Each game covered one substance, such as marijuana or alcohol, and each group consisted of one game. I discovered that these teens loved the competition. They didn’t need prizes or rewards, as they simply wanted to win. Even Cliff, the teen who would not be forced to participate, began yelling out answers (“False, it’s gotta be false!”) Cliff was participating. I realized that not only were my clients having fun, but they were also absorbing the information.
Not all of the games need to be created by you. Some games can be bought and used to meet your needs. “I mix counseling strategies with everyday, familiar games,” says Grace Wilhelm, creator of Counselor Games. “For example, use pick-up sticks to teach relationships, and use Don't Break the Ice to teach stress management.” The teens in your groups who are having fun are more likely to be engaged. You may also find yourself becoming more engaged as you play these games.

continue reading

How to Help Kids Identify Angry Behavior

It is important to teach students that their behavior is noticed when they get angry.   When the external world and their internal world meet, or collide, will they be able to to manage their anger or will their anger manage them?  Use this article to help students:   How We Behave When We Get Angry       When the external world and the internal world of our feelings interact, the result is our behavior.  How we behave when we get angry determines whether the anger will fade or whether it will get worse.  There are two negative responses to anger.  The first negative response is withdrawal or avoidance.  The second negative response is hostility or aggression.       The first negative response is withdrawal or avoidance.  This is when a person does not actively deal with conflict and “goes away mad.”  The problem is not solved and the person may continue to think about it, get angry, and then eventually become depressed. Depression and the inability to deal with one’s problems results in low sense of personal worth, a sensitivity to unpleasant events, high self-criticism and a dealing of helplessness.  These are called the passive behaviors.       The second negative response to anger is hostility and aggression.  When we react too quickly and too intensely to feeling of anger, we become antagonistic.  This leads to more hostility which leads to more aggression.  Aggressive acts are often acts of impulse or desperation.  They may also be an attempt to overpower the other person.  These acts are called aggressive behaviors.      Did you know that there are also positive responses to anger?  When you manage your anger, you can make some good things happen because of the anger.  This is called anger management. Anger management is the utilization of assertive skills.  It is the result of self-awareness, self-confidence, and good communication skills.   First of all, you must learn to understand your own feelings.  This takes some thinking and self-instruction.  Feelings are linked to situations.  One way to understand what feelings are linked to certain situations is to keep a diary of things that happen to you and the feeling you have at that time.  Feelings are also linked to thoughts.  When you keep your journal or diary try to link the feelings you have to the thoughts you have.  Learn to view and think of the anger-producing incidents in an objective manner.  Try not to think of what is going on, or why, with a lot of opinions.  You must try to be objective.      You may find that sometimes your anger is unnecessary.  Unnecessary anger is often due to fatigue, pressure, conflict, and insecurity.             Second, you must try to understand the feelings of others.  Learn to understand things from the other person’s perspective to keep anger from becoming too intense.  Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes.  Look at the situation from a different point of view.         Third, you must constantly instruct yourself to get composed and help deal with the situation.  This is self-instruction.  Learn to know what your body is telling you.     When you are tense because of a situation, you might get a headache or feel your muscles tighten.  You might feel your heart pound real hard or fast in your chest.  You may get sweaty hands or just sweat all over.  Your forehead may wrinkle and your eyebrows may become cross looking.  Some people start to breathe faster or heavier.  When these things happen, your body is releasing adrenalin.  These are signals of agitation and tension.  Your anger starts to build and so does the level of hostility you feel.  However, the anger will lessen as you start to solve the conflict.           Anger management also involves several ways you can learn to control yourself and take control of the situation before the situation takes control of you.  One way is to learn to relax.  Use relaxation techniques.  Anger is linked with tension.  You cannot be angry and relaxed at the same time.                    Another way to manage anger is to use humor.  Don’t take things to personally when they happen.  You can learn to see humor in things.             Anger is also managed by keeping it at a moderate level.  Use the arousal to be assertive rather than aggressive.  Communicate your angry feelings instead of acting on them.  When you feel anger, just say so and let the other person know what has made you angry.  If a person is doing something that stirs up the angry feelings in you, let him know how you are feeling with the right tone of voice and attitude.  Learn to communicate your anger in an appropriate way.  For example, it never will help in a situation if you scream or yell out your commands and demands.  You will only arouse anger in the other person you are dealing with.  You must learn to communicate your angry feelings in an effective and non-hostile way.           Communicating effectively is the most important skill in managing anger.  Good communication helps control the build-up of anger.  It prevents an aggressive over-reaction.  It also provides the opportunity to change the situation that has caused the anger.  An effective way to communicate is to use a power statement.   (see activity on power statements) Anger and Me is a workbook for students.  It includes articles about identifying anger and situations students and/or their friends may be a part of.  It is great for individual use or small groups.  It is reproducible, so make as many copies as you need.  It can be found on Amazon. 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. Find out more about Play Therapy for Schools at Counselor Games. Grace will be presenting at the ASCA Conference in Phoenix June 29 and 30.  The session title on Monday is: Play Therapy and Stress Management for Students.  Tuesday she will be contributing in the Data presentation.  Her part will be Parent Involvement.   Like Counselor Games on Facebook Subscribe to the Counselor Tribe.

  

Best Teacher Appreciation Gift

Teachers love new and fresh ideas!  Make sure your teacher has the best and freshest ideas to help students learn.  Get the Play Pack.  

 What's included in the Play Pack?
* Topple
 * Tumble
 * Jumpin' Monkeys
 * Games and Play DVD Volume I
 * Games and Play DVD Volume II
 * FREE Giant Pick-Up Sticks

DVD include demonstrations on how to use everyday games with play therapy techniques.

It's EASY!  

We show you how to integrate play therapy into your lessons.  Use games to teach students how to make friends, study and organizational skills, how to control anger, reduce bullying, get better grades and more!

Creative, Engaging and FUN!

You know how frustrating it is to pick a game or activity from a catalog?   Oh, no, the game arrives  and it has so many pieces and rules that it is difficult to learn how to play the game.

What's better?  We show you how to use games you already have, simple everyday games like playing cards, Barrel of Monkeys, and pick-up sticks.

It's right here. 
Purchase the Play Pack at counselorgames.com

Purchase for Teacher Appreciation or End of the Year Gift and receive Giant Pick-Up Sticks FREE!

This offer is good until May 31, 2015. 

order now at counselorgames.com

Giant Pick-up Sticks will automatically come with Play Pack orders in  May.  

"These games are very tangible and visual for students.  They are easy to understand. They help the students to really SEE!"
Johanna Lawson
Special Education Teacher


"I have observed Grace as she worked with middle school students with the games. What I noticed was their genuine engagement in the process and the "aha’s" when they were able to understand a concept that related to a life skill! What better way to effectively learn how to manage emotions, get along with others, and the importance of choices than through having fun!!"
Barbara Pepper, PhD, LMHC
National Board Certified Counselor

Questions? Contact info@counselorgames.com

Like Counselor Games on Facebook

More Great Ideas for Teacher Appreciation Week

facebook.com/counselorgames

15 Stress Relief Tips for Kids

Too many students today suffer from anxiety and stress related problems.  Teach your student simple ways to reduce stress and its effects.  Remember to do at least two everyday.

15 Stress Relief Tips for Kids

   

        1.  Read a book
        2.  Learn a new craft: paint, crochet, knit, beading, model, create with clay
        3.  Join a discussion group or club at school
        4.  Visit a museum
        5.  Learn to do something new: bake a cake and decorate, build a model plane, new card game
        6.  Play basketball
        7.  Forgive someone
        8.  Have a cup of tea
        9.  Establish a support system
       10.  Make a list of positive things about yourself
       11.  Make a schedule
       12.  Take a bubble bath
       13.  Talk to your parents
       14.  Do something to have fun
       15.  Go bike riding
              Add 5 ideas here
       16.
       17.
       18.
       19.
       20.

How to be engaging, creative and FUN!
Play Therapy for Schools

 
Check out our demonstrations in the DVDs that show you how easy it is to integrate counseling strategies into everyday games that kids love.  Teach stress management with Don't Break the Ice, make friends with Barrel of Monkeys, build relationships with pick-up-sticks, get organized with Perfection! and much more.


During the month of December, you will receive Topple FREE with the purchase of Games and Play Volumes I and II.  This is an $84 value for $57.  Only in December 2015.  

 This offer cannot be combined with any other offers.    

Buy Now

http://counselorgames.com/

Games and Play is one of the most effective and easiest programs to implement.  We show you how to integrate counseling strategies into the games.  

Use simple play therapy techniques with everyday games.  

"I have used Games and Play with students in Elementary, Middle and High School.  I love it because of the simplicity of using common games that families have at home. How practical to use these games in so many different ways!   The students love it because these are games that they are familiar with and it makes it easy for them to share their feelings, while playing a game!  The games can be used for developing so many different  lessons on social skills, assertiveness, conflict resolutions and character traits!  The possibilities are endless! I would recommend Mrs. Wilhelm's, Games and Play lessons to all counselors who would like to add some fun into the day!"
Ms. Patricia Yon
Florida School Counselor


The Play Pack

The Play Pack includes everything you need to get started:  

 Two DVDs, Volumes I and II: Games and Play to Enhance Counseling and Teaching Strategies. 

Jumpin' Monkeys, Tumble, Topple

Booklets are included with the DVDs.

Be Creative, Engaging and FUN!

 http://counselorgames.com

      

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

      Grace's past achievements and awards include ASCA National School Counselor of the Year Semifinalist, RAMP, and FLDOE Parent Involvement Award and Teacher of the Year.  

contact Grace at grace@counselorgames.com

Do you need more resources for stress management for your students?  Get Stress Busting stress management self-assessment workbook for your students.  Ask us to send it to you. Contact Grace at

                                                grace@counselorgames.com