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

Stick and Stone

I recently added Stick And Stone to my collection of books and am really liking it for my kindergarten-2nd grade students. It is a very simple story with few words on each page but the message is still there.  From the author's website:  Stick and Stone are all alone.  But when Pinecone makes fun of Stone and hurts his feelings, Stick steps in and defends Stone.  "That's just what sticks do.  Friends do it too," says Stick.  Now Stick and Stone are inseparable best friends.  When Stick gets stuck, it's Stone to the rescue.  That's just what stones do.  Best friendship rocks too," says Stone.  I also love that an activity kit is easily downloadable!  Purchase the book HERE.

Connections:

Stick and Stone Activity Kit from the Author's website:  Download HERE

Stick and Stone - Friendship Freebie by Khrys Greco (Free on TPT)

Stick and Stone Reader Response Freebie by Nicole Oconnor (Free on TPT)

Stick and Stone: Interactive Read-Aloud Lesson Plans and Activities ($3.50 on TPT)

Bullying Unit ($2.00 on TPT)

The Jelly Donut Difference (compassion and empathy)

I ordered The Jelly Donut Difference a few months back and keep forgetting to write a post about it. The Jelly Donut Difference is written by one of my favorite authors, Maria Dismondy.  I originally purchased The Jelly Donut Difference to read with my first graders during their unit on compassion and empathy.  After reading the book I decided to use it with a group of kindergarten students who are having a hard time getting along with their classmates.

The Jelly Donut Difference is about a brother and sister who don't always get along (argue, push each other out of the way, etc...)  They notice that an elderly neighbor is lonely and work together to show empathy and compassion.  The author has a free Reader's Guide available.  Many of the pages are more beneficial to a classroom teacher, however, I did use the comprehension questions as well as the pages that are focused on making a difference.  I also downloaded a free lesson on TPT (link below) and found this to be the most useful in teaching the idea of kindness to kindergarten students.  Finally, I gave each student a kindness goal and rewarded them with jelly donut holes from dunkin donuts if they met their goal.  I also love the idea of doing a jelly cake in a crockpot for a classroom lesson and have included a link to that blog as well.

Connections:

You can purchase The Jelly Donut Difference HERE.

teachinginstripes.blogspot.com -jelly cake in a crockpot

Free Reader's Guide

Teacher's Pay Teacher's FREE lesson by An Apple A Day in First Grade

Cute Ideas HERE by www.teachingwithcrayonsandcurls.com

Another lesson and downloadable writing template HERE by www.primarily-speaking.com

Pouting

The Pout-Pout Fish 

I have some k-1st grade students who are getting very good at pouting!  We have been using The Pout-Pout Fish as a way of discouraging this behavior.  Pout-Pout fish swims around the ocean with a permanent pout stuck on his face.  As he swims around the ocean he spreads the "dreary wearies".  I love that this book leads to a discussion about our own behaviors having an impact on those around us. I'm sure you can find this book somewhere in your school district as it is a very popular story.  If not, you can purchase it HERE.

I have used many different FREE items that I have found on TPT with this book.  My favorite is this one:  The Pout-Pout Fish. {making bad moods better} by Kristin-Young.  It gets students thinking about their own actions.

Whitney Palyu Bright Ideas  came up with some great discussion questions:  The Pout-Pout Fish - Language Extension Activities.

Pout Pout Fish by First and Kinder Blue SKies (I used the fish template from this lesson)

The Pout-Pout Fish Reading Comprehension Activities by The Lesson Plan Diva (I used the final writing piece in this lesson:  Write and draw about a time that you felt sad)

The Pout-Pout Fish" Printables by Miss Lee's Little Learners (I used the problem/solutions page)

Pout Pout Fish Goes to School Response K-2 by Kindergarten-Keepsakes

The pout pout fish worksheet by Worksheetjunkie (goes with The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark

Rudolph (Bullying, Diversity)

I found a lesson from WWW.PACER.ORG using Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer and decided to use the lesson with one of my 3rd grade classes today.  I started out showing the students the YouTube clip of Rudolph being teased for being different from his peers.  We then used the discussion questions from the teaching guide and talked about differences and shining bright.  I also showed students the YouTube clip of the misfit toys and we talked about their feelings as well.  If you don't remember the misfit toys, they are the toys who were banished to a cold island because they were unique and didn't look like the other toys.  We then used the star template included in the Activity Guide and completed the sentence, My star shines bright because________________________.

Connections:

YouTube Link: Rudolph Gets Teased by the other reindeer

YouTube Link: The Island of the Misfit Toys

Discussion and Activity Guide

Being Wendy (Careers)

I recently ordered the book Being Wendy and have been using it to plan career lessons for my 1st grade classrooms.  Last year I used Career Critters but I felt like it would have been more suitable for my kindergarten students.  Being Wendy is great because you can tie in some lessons on self-acceptance and diversity as well.  

Book Description:  Wendy lives in an odd town where everyone has to wear a box. These boxes are labeled with what each person does. The teacher wears a TEACHER box. The baker wears a BAKER box. Even the doctor wears a DOCTOR box! These boxes are worn for life and Wendy has to choose hers soon. How will she ever decide on just one box? She's interested in so many things! Wendy's moxie makes her break out of her box . . . And she sets the whole town on end when she does!

Connections:
Ms. Sepp's Counselor Corner posted some great discussion questions as well as a craftivity to go along with the story.

The Corner On Character also shared some great ideas about "thinking outside the box".

If you want a lesson for older students (3-4) you could use this lesson: schoolcounseling.weebly

http://www.sparksinslp.com/blog/thinking-outside-the-box

Being Wendy Prezi

Snowflake Bentley (Perseverance)

Snowflake Bentley is a biography about the life of Wilson Bentley, a self-taught scientist who photographed thousands of snowflakes and studied their uniqueness.  While other children built forts and pelted snowballs at roosting crows, Willie used an old microscope to look at flowers, raindrops, blades of grass, and snow.  Willie's parents bought him a camera that made it possible for him to photograph the snowflakes.  His first pictures were failures but mistake by mistake, snowflake by snowflake, Willie worked through every storm.  Even though Willie didn't give up, that winter ended and he still wasn't able to accomplish his goal.  He finally accomplished his goal the second winter, but he still faced obstacles.  Sometimes the snowflakes were broken and he had to wait hours before finding one that was just right.  If the shed was warm, the snow would melt.  If he twitched a muscle, the snowflake would break.  If he didn't work carefully and quickly the snowflakes would evaporate.  Willie's work was greatly respected near the end of his life.  He came to be known as the world's expert on snow and other scientists raised money to help him publish his book.   I have used this book to teach two different lessons.  The first lesson is on Diversity and the second is on Perseverance.  You can purchase the book HERE.

Connections:

I love this folded flap book by Buzzying with Ms. B. for teaching perseverance:

Never Give Up! Snowflake Bentley lesson by the NED Show

Snowflake Diversity on TPT by Morgan Warwick (includes a lesson and worksheet)

Video Slideshow of Bentley's Snowflake Photographs

Unique Snowflakes Lesson by counseling corner blogspot

Diversity, Tolerance, and Snowflakes by Riverbliss

Steps To Success: Goals are as different as snowflakes

TPT Freebie: Snowflake Diversity (links to activities by subject)

Slideshow for Snowflake Bentley

No Two Are Alike-Classroom Sign

We Are as Unique as Snowflakes by Miss Novellano's First Grade (lesson and bulletin board)

Related Posts:

Winter Themed Freebies

How Santa Got His Job

School Counseling with ClassDojo Big Ideas (Mindset, Perseverance, Empathy)

I've been using ClassDojo for about 9 months now and I think it is one of the best FREE resources that I have found.  You just create an account and you have access to some great teaching tools.  I had been using ClassDojo to teach students about Mindset and then they came out with the Perseverance series and most recently the Empathy series.  I use these short video clips ALL THE TIME and students LOVE them.  You can check it out HERE.

Growth Mindset (5 videos in the series plus 2 activities)

Perseverance Series (3 videos in the series plus a follow up activity)

Empathy Series (3 videos in the series plus a follow up activity)

Be sure to check out the resources page for posters, coloring pages, etc....  This may be more useful for classroom teachers but there are a few things that I have printed off:)

School Counseling with ClassDojo Big Ideas (Mindset, Perseverance, Empathy)

I've been using ClassDojo for about 9 months now and I think it is one of the best FREE resources that I have found.  You just create an account and you have access to some great teaching tools.  I had been using ClassDojo to teach students about Mindset and then they came out with the Perseverance series and most recently the Empathy series.  I use these short video clips ALL THE TIME and students LOVE them.  You can check it out HERE.

Growth Mindset (5 videos in the series plus 2 activities)

Perseverance Series (3 videos in the series plus a follow up activity)

Empathy Series (3 videos in the series plus a follow up activity)

Be sure to check out the resources page for posters, coloring pages, etc....  This may be more useful for classroom teachers but there are a few things that I have printed off:)

Trustworthiness: Sarah's Little Ghosts

One story that I use to teach lessons about lying is Sarah's Little Ghosts.  

Description from Amazon:  When Sarah breaks her mother's favorite necklace,  she lies to cover it up.  but the lie isn't the only thing that comes out of her mouth.  A little ghost pops out, too!  and for every new lie Sarah tells, another ghost appears.  There seems to be only one way to get rid of them, but which is scarier:  living in your own haunted house, or telling the truth?

The ghosts in this story represent Sarah's conscience.  The ghosts say the words that Sarah should be saying instead of the lies that she tells-"I broke your necklace"!  The ghosts are a great representation of the guilt that a child feels when lying.

Connections:

Social Story about telling the truth

Conscience Powerpoint

Positive Post-it Day

My 5th grade students just finished celebrating Positive Post-it Day.  If you haven't heard of Positive Post-it Day you can read about the student who created it HERE.  You can also watch the YouTube video HERE.  I plan to have a school-wide postive post-it day next year but started with the fifth graders this year.  

Positive Post-it Day can be done with any grade level.  The Kindergarten Smorgasboard shared here lesson HERE.

My Lesson:

1.  Give each student a class roster (or write each student's name on the board).

2. Give each student a pack of post-it notes.

3.  Have students write a positive message on each note.  I asked students to write messages that would be meaningful to each specific student so we did include names in the messages.

4.  Allow students to place post it notes on lockers.

5.  Give students time to return to their own locker to read the messages their classmates wrote to them.

6.  Students leave their post-it notes on their lockers until the end of the school day when they can remove them and take them home with them.

I had a lot of positive feedback after this lesson.  Some of the students were really surprised by their classmates comments:)

The Energy Bus for Kids-A Story About Staying Positive And Overcoming Challenges

We are coming back from a 4 day weekend and I'm hearing a lot of grumbling today!  I thought it was the perfect opportunity to introduce The Energy Bus for Kids to some of my students!  The Energy Bus for Kids is a great story for changing a negative attitude.  A great perk of using this book is that there are plenty of free resources that go along with it.  I have downloaded the posters, journal and teaching guide and am so impressed with free materials (links below).  

The Energy Bus for Kids:  The book teaches students how to overcome negativity, bullies and everyday challenges.  The story is about a boy, George, who is having a bad day until his bus driver, Joy, helps him to understand that he has the power to choose his attitude.  George learns to fuel his ride with positive energy and finds that he has the strength to overcome challenges that come  his way.  He also learns that he can pass this positive energy on to others.  I love this story but I will warn you that it is a bit lengthy for little ones.  The message is great for any age but I would definitely break it down into several lessons.  The bullying section of the book is a lesson in itself!  

Some of my favorite themes from this book are:

"If you have a vision, then you also have the power to make it happen."

"If you fuel up with positive energy, you will have the power to overcome challenges and achieve your goals."

"Make sure you keep filling your tank with positive energy."

"When you show kindness to others you attract kindness like a magnet."

Connections:

Go to the book's website, http://www.energybuskids.com/, to download free posters, a free teaching guide and an Energy Bus Journal!

Free Teaching Guide-Lesson Plans and Activities

Energy Bus Journal

Guidance Curriculum:  Ideas for 9 lessons using this book! (shared by Leslie Avery and Leslie Johnson)

Energy Bus-One Word

Energy Bus Discussion Guide-This is for the adult version of the book but I thought it was worth sharing as some of the questions would be great for Junior High/High School students. (The adult version of The Energy Bus can be purchased HERE)

Interactive Bulletin Board Idea shared by Whats "App"ening Wesleyan?

Door Decorating Idea shared by Happy School Counselor

Purchase The Energy Bus for Kids HERE.

Impulse control

As the school year comes to an end I find that students become more impulsive so I included this book in my recent Amazon order.  I am always looking to enhance my counseling library and this looks like a great addition.  

What Were You Thinking?: A Story About Learning to Control Your Impulses

Description from Amazon:  This hilarious book for grades k-6 teaches children about learning to control their impulses.  Third-grader Braden loves to be the center of attention.  His comic genius, as he sees it, causes his friends to look at him in awe.  But some poor decision-making, like ill-timed jokes in class and an impulsive reaction during gym that left a classmate teary-eyed and crumpled on the floor, force the adults in Braden's life to teach him about impulse control.  There are 4 downloadable activities that you can purchase for $5.00 that go along with this book but I have not purchased them yet so I can't give any feedback.  You can download them HERE.  You can purchase the book HERE.

Impulse Control Connections (These are resources that are currently FREE on TPT)

FREEBIE Impulse Control Activity

Impulse Control Game

Under Control Activity - Stop and Think (impulse control game)

Related Posts
It's Hard to be a VERB!
Executive Functioning

Follow Counseling Connections on FACEBOOK!

Executive Functioning (new books and freebies)

I just placed an order for some new books and I am very excited about them!  Julia Cook is one of my favorite authors and I was very happy to see that her newest books are about executive functioning.   I also love that the characters are the same in both books.  I currently use the R.J. series and my students love hearing multiple stories about the same character.  This time around we meet some new characters:  Cletus and Bocephus-cousins who are will teach us a thing or two about organizing, planning ahead and prioritizing.   It sounds like Julia may be adding more books to this series as well:)  I have also provided connections to executive functioning freebies on TPT.

The first book on executive functioning is I Can't Find My Whatchamacalit!!.  

I Can't Find My Whatchamacallit!!

Description from Amazon:  Cletus and Bocephus are cousins, yet they are nothing alike.  Extremely creative Cletus, can't find anything in his room.  He is constantly losing things and is very disorganized and messy.  Bocephus, on the other hand, is the most organized, uptight person on the planet.  If Bocephus ever misplaces anything...he totally freaks out!  After Cletus's mom refuses to let him play with Bocephus until his room is cleaned, Bocephus steps in to help out his disorganized cousin.  "Cletus..Ther's a home for everything.  Every watchamacallit has its spot.  Lets sort through your stuff and put it where it goes.  I'm organized...Cletus you're not!"  This story book is the first in the Executive funcioning book series.  It highlights the importance of being organized in a creative, applicable way.  It also spotlights unique differences and strengths that live in all of us.  This book will teach children to understand, develop, and apply organization and vital executive functioning skills.  

The second book in the series is Planning Isn't My Priority...And Making Priorities Isn't In My Plans!

Planning Isn't My Priority (Functioning Executive)

Description from Amazon:  Cletus and Bocephus are Back!  While working on their science fair project on meal worms, they learn to appreciate and understand each other's strengths and weaknesses.  Creativity needs structure and structure needs creativity...and Cletus and Bosephus BOTH need to know hot to plan and prioritize!  "You learn from mistakes and use what you learn, so you don't make those mistakes again.  Every time you play a video game, you plan and prioritize to WIN!"  Planning and prioritizing are two of the most difficult executive functioning skills for people to master.  Planning effectively is the thinking skills that helps an individual develop strategies to accomplish goals.  It allows a person to think about completing a task before it is started.  Life is all about making choices.  Prioritizing effectively helps a person make the best choices possible.  This book will help teach children to determine the necessary steps, in order, towards fulfilling a goal which is a vital executive functioning skill.  Children who possess effective prioritizing skills can learn to manage not only daily responsibilities, but also how to prepare for future success.

Executive Functioning Connections:

These connections are all free materials that I have found on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Executive Functioning Organizational Level Chart (FREE)

Executive Functioning FREEBIE

Executive Function Web - Target = Activity

Executive Functioning Student Task Analysis

Executive Functioning: Assignment Planner (Google Slides)

Helping Students that Struggle with Executive Functioning

What's In My Backpack?

End of the Day Checklist - Free

  

Second Step Connections

I use the Second Step Curriculum in all of my k-2 classroom lessons.  I really love Second Step and it requires little planning.  I do like to use other resources to supplement my second step lesson though and today I am going to connect you to some of my favorite resources.  I found some really great worksheets on the TPT store Behavior Savers.  

I love this Freebie from the Kindergarten pack:

Freebie...Second Step Kindergarten Belly Breath Worksheet

Here is a freebie from the 2nd grade pack:

Problem Solving-Making Responsible Choices-2nd Grade Second Step Lesson

The other worksheets must be purchased but at $5.00 a packet they are very reasonably priced and include some great material!

SECOND STEP KINDERGARTEN-24 Lesson Worksheets

SECOND STEP 1st Grade-21 Lesson Worksheets

SECOND STEP 2nd GRADE-21 Lesson Worksheets

Paiges of Learning is another TPT store that sells supplemental Second Step Materials.  These packets are $3.00 each and she has a packet for 1st grade as well as one for 3rd grade.

Second Step Printable Pack {First Grade}

2nd Step Song Lyrics

Book Connections (Skills for Learning)

My Mouth Is a Volcano!

This Morning Sam Went to Mars: A book about paying attention

It's Hard To Be a Verb!

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen

The Worst Day of My Life Ever!

Lacey Walker, Nonstop Talker

Book Connections (Feelings)

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings

The Feelings Book

Feelings Flash Cards

Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day

When I Feel Angry (Way I Feel Books)

When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry

Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns It's OK to Back Away: A Story About Managing Anger

Book Connections (Empathy):

Just Because: Where Seeing Another Point of View Makes a Better You 

Chocolate Milk, Por Favor: Celebrating Diversity with Empathy

Hey, Little Ant

How Do I Stand in Your Shoes?

Book Connections:  Problem -Solving

Talk and Work It Out

Peace Week in Miss Fox's Class

We Can Get Along: A Child’s Book of Choices

Peg + Cat: The Pizza Problem

Happy Birthday, Cupcake!

Book Connections (Playing Fair):

Share and Take Turns

Play Fair, Have Fun

Llama Llama Time to Share

Sharing: How Kindness Grows