Assertive Communication

I recently began using The Mouse, the Monster and Me to teach assertiveness.  The story uses an aggressive monster and passive mouse to show students the difference in communication styles.  You can purchase the book HERE.

Counseling Connections:

Lesson Plan-The Mouse, the Monster and Me

Assertive Communication Teaching Guide (page 14 starts lesson on The Mouse, The Monster and Me)

Lesson Plan-The Mouse, the Monster and Me

Cute Lesson and conflict flip book by Ms. Sepp's Counselor Corner

Friday Freebies (Recipes for Friendship)

Friendship Pizza Lesson

How to Make a Friendship Salad: Lesson Plan for Elementary School

Friendship Soup Recipe (YouTube lesson) Lesson Plan HERE.

Friendship Recipe: A writing activity for Valentine's Day by Angelica Alves

Back to School Friendship Salad by Explore Create Discover

Friendship Salad by Learning is something to treasure

Friendship Recipe by V-Squared

Valentine's Day Ingredients for Friendship by Lovely Literacy and More

Friendship Pie Recipe Cards (Free) by Jessica Millar

How to Make a Friendship Snack (Free) by My Pink Clipboard

Friendship Pizza by Laura Lawson

Friendship Treats by Especially Education

Counseling with Penguins

I am planning next weeks lessons and decided that it would be a good week to incorporate penguins in our lessons (it is freezing here in Illinois).  I've planned lessons covering the topics of self-esteem, empathy, problem solving, diversity and anger management.  These are three books that I will be using:

Pierre the Penguin 

 Purchase Pierre the Penguin HERE.

Pink!  

Purchase Pink! HERE.

Tacky the Penguin    

Purchase Tacky the Penguin HERE.

Connections:

Tacky The Penguin Connections:

I Like Tacky Because... (Free)

Create your own Tacky Shirt (Free) by Kinder Myles

Tacky the Penguin (Free) by Kinder Kids Kafe

Tacky the Penguin (Free) by Miz Riz Elementary Resources

Tacky the Penguin (Free)

Purchase Tacky the Penguin HERE.

Pink! Connections:

My Pink Penguin (Free) by Sarah Cooley

It's O.K. To Be Different ($4.50)

Purchase Pink! HERE

Helping Pierre the Penguin Connections:

Pierre the Penguin questions (Free) by Brooke Romp

Helping Pierre the Penguin (Free) by Creative Counselor

Purchase Pierre the Penguin HERE.

More Penguin Connections:

Penguin Problems - TAKING OWNERSHIP OF MINOR ISSUES in School for Everyone ($3.99) by portable gifted and talented.

Tear Penguin (Free) by Traci Clausen  (I used this as a coping skill (tearing paper).

If I were a penguin craftivity and writing (Free) by Tools to Grow

Book for dealing with Divorce:  The Pink Penguin

Penelope the Pink Penguin (confidence, self-esteem)

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)