Therapy Dough/Putty

I just went into a first grade classroom to consult with a teacher and she had therapy dough sitting on her desk.  I have never heard of it so I asked her a million questions!  She swears by this stuff and says it was worth the money so I just put in an order.  She had the beach scent and it smelled so good and kind of looked like sand.  I bought the beach scent for my mother-in-law and then I bought spice and ocean for my counseling room. 

Pinch Me Therapy Dough

There are also some kids versions:

scented putty

Regulation Putty for Expressing Emotions

Mindset Monday: A Perfectly Messed-Up Story (Perseverance, Mindset, Perfectionism)

A Perfectly Messed Up Story is about a boy named Louie whose story keeps getting ruined.  Louie feels like giving up but by the end of the story he is hopeful again.  I haven't used this book yet but plan to use it to teach students the impact of self-talk, both positive and negative.  I also think it will be good for discussions on attitude affecting behavior.  I'm thinking this book is best for early elementary students.  I always love when books come with a free educator's guide so I've linked that down below!

Description from Amazon:  Little Louie's story keeps getting messed up, and he's not happy about it!  What's the point of telling his tale if he can't tell it perfectly?  But when he stop and takes a deep breath, he realizes that everything is actually just fine, and his story is a good one--imperfections and all.

You can purchase A Perfectly Messed Up Story HERE.

Lesson Plan by The Ned Show

Educator's Guide

I Can Handle it! (emotions/problem solving)

I Can Handle It! by laurie Wright is a book that I plan to use for elementary students (pre-k-2nd grade).  I am going to use this book with my first grade students as a supplement to our second step lessons.  The book lists strong emotions, the problem that caused the emotion, and a list of ways to solve the problem.  Some of the solutions are "nonsense" solutions but there are many good solutions as well.  For example, one of the feelings is frustrated.  The situation that causes frustration is adults not listening.  Solutions listed include; I can say, "excuse me", I can write a letter, I can tell someone else.  I think this is a great introduction to problem solving and this book will encourage students to think of ways that they can handle situations that may cause strong emotions.  Also, this book uses a mantra (automatic thought) that can be used to think clearly about the situation and come up with strategies to solve it.  I have not introduced mantras to students in the past but after reading more about how they can be used to help students I plan to try it out.  The mantra used in this story is "I can handle it!".

You can purchase I Can Handle It! HERE.

Connections:

If you don't use Second Step this would be a good lesson to use with this book: https://classroom.kidshealth.org/prekto2/personal/growing/feelings.pdf

I Can Handle It by Laurie Wright (FREE)

I Can Handle it! Song! ($0.95)

How I Handled My Emotions Chart

Mindset Monday-Bubble Gum Brain

I recently ordered Bubble Gum Brain, by Julia Cook, and absolutely love this book!  My students are loving it as well (it may help that I let them chew gum while we read it).  You can also purchase an activity guide to go along with this book.  I did not purchase the activity guide so I can't say much about it.  Unfortunately, I don't think it was available when I purchased the book and I am out of funds for the school year (major bummer).  

Book Description:  Meet Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain:  two kids with two VERY different mindsets.  Bubble Gum Brain likes to have fun adventures, learn new things, and doesn't worry about making great mistakes.  Brick Brain is convinced that things are just fine the way they are and there's not much he can do to change them, so why try?  When Bubble Gum Brain shows Brick Brain how to peel off his wrapper, Brick Brain begins to realize just how much more fun school...and life..can be!  

You can purchase Bubble Gum Brain HERE.

You can purchase the activity guide HERE.

Connections:

This is a newer book so there are not a ton of resources to link to.  I imagine that as more people purchase this book we will see more lesson ideas out there.  For now I am going to post connections I have found on TPT:

Book Buddy for Bubble Gum Brain by Technology Tidbits (FREE)

Growth Mindset Bubble Gum Brain Lesson Plans and Activities by KG Firsties ($4.50)

***I purchased this one and would highly recommend

Growth Mindset Flipbook/Craft for the book Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook by Sports and Second

***I purchased this one and love it! ($3.00)

Julia Cook's BUBBLE GUM BRAIN: School Counseling Growth Mindset Lesson by Whole Hearted Counseling $3.00.  (I have not purchased YET...I plan to get this one though).

Bubble Gum Brain Literature Activities by Kristen's Kaboodle ($4.00)

Bubble Gum Brain Resources- Growth Mindset by Structured Play ($3.00)

Growth Mindset Writing Activity by Primary Scouts ($3.00)

Friday Freebies (Winter)

Friday Freebies:

*Note:  I did not create these freebies.  Please be sure to leave feedback and visit seller stores on TPT.

Compliment-Presents by Michael Friermood

Snowflake stages of grief by Little Miss Counselor

Snowman-Conversations by Speech Paths

Christmas-Tree-with-Snowman-Emotion-Matching by Positive Counseling

Positive Reinforcement Reward Charts by Counselor Chelsea

Social-Skills-Christmas-Expected-and-Unexpected-Behaviors by Speech Paths

Gingerbread Game Board and Emotion Situation Cards by Becky Cothern

Christmas gifts on a counselor's budget (under $10.00)

Last Christmas I shared an idea for a Christmas gift that was cheap, easy to put together and cute!  You can see that post HERE.  I wanted to do something similar this year since I have so many people to buy for.  My oldest child switches classes already as a fourth grader so we have several teachers to buy for as well as the school secretary, principal, gymnastic's teachers and dance teachers. This year I decided to do "manicures in a jar".  This would also be a great gift for coworkers or family members.  Here is what you need: 

Mason Jars:  Pack of 12 HERE.

Cotton Balls (to put at the bottom of the jar):  bag of 500 HERE.

Nail Polish (I like the Essie brand best):Essie Nail Polish pack of 4 ($12.99)

Nail file:  Here is a pack of 5 for under $5.00  with a Christmas Theme:  Nail Files

or you can do a pack of 12 mini ones for under $6.00 HERE

Hand lotion:  You can get a 4 pack of Udderly Smooth for under $9.00

or this pack of 12 for about $35.00

Cutical pusher:  You can get this set of 4 for under $4.00

You can do 12 "manicures in a jar" for under $10.00!  If you want to do a smaller amount you may need to find a 4 pack of mason jars and you wouldn't need as many cotton balls.  You could also do a pedicure in a jar as you see on this blog:  herecomesthesunblog.net.  She has printable tags that would be a cute addition:

Mindset Monday-The OK Book

the OK book is another good book for teaching Mindset.   the OK book  teaches students that it is ok to try new things and that you don't have to be great at everything you do.  It is okay to be just ok.  In facct, exploring can lead you to finding out what your talents and strengths are. You can purchase the OK Book HERE.

Connections:  

Class book free download:  schoolisahappyplace.blogspot.com

Activities on the Author's Website:  http://www.tomlichtenheld.com

The O.K. Book by The Wisest Owl (Free)

the OK book by Hip Debster ($1.20)

Its-OK-to-just-be-OK-celebrate-your-own-skills-and-talents

by Chuda's Counseling and Character Corner

Friday Freebies: Perseverance

Perseverance by Growing Firsties

Lesson-on-Perseverance-Mindset-and-Goal-Setting by Paws-itive-School-Counselor

Perseverance Kite Project by Tamara Gumm (goes along with THIS BOOK)

Captain-Perseverance-to-the-Rescue by Nola-Russell

Perseverance-Bingo by The-School-Counselors-Corner

Character-Education-Skit-PERSEVERANCE by The-Charismatic-Counselor

 

Sammie-Sled-Dog-Learns-to-Persevere by Nicolas-Morgan-Born

Perseverance-Activity-Classroom-Guidance-Lesson by Counselor-Keri

Perseverance Lesson Plans:  

1.  Perseverance.pdf

2.  Bury Negative Thoughts

Related Post:  perseverance with Ormie the Pig