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.

Growth Mindset

Today I am connecting you with some resources that I have found to be useful in teaching growth mindset.  There are so many great products out there!  This is my first year focusing on "mindset" and I am very excited to be adding something new to my counseling curriculum!

These are good resources if you are unfamiliar with growth mindset:

Mindsets in the Classroom

A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the Traits of Joyful, Independent Growth

You can find a PowerPoint Presentation for students HERE.

I am going to start with Bulletin Boards.  I love this Bulletin Board set on TPT and it is only $1.50. This packet is 18 pages and totally worth $1.50!

Mindset Bulletin Board

The next two bulletin boards were found on Pinterest.  I'm not sure who to give credit to but they look a lot like the materials provided in the link above.

Change Your Words, Change Your Mindset Bulletin Board

The next bulletin board was found at http://www.schcounselor.com

Next, i'm connecting to FREE resources that I have found on TPT.  

Growth Mindset

Mindset

Growth and Fixed Mindset Back to School Letter Size Posters

Growth Mindset Brain Unit

Growth Mindset Posters

Change Your Mindset!

HOW TO USE GROWTH MINDSET

Growth vs Fixed Mindset Video

Growth Mindset Cards

These books would be great resources as well:

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

Making A Splash - Growth Mindset for Kids

Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle

Beautiful Oops!

The Dot

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

The Most Magnificent Thing

Follow Counseling Connections on Facebook!

Friday Freebies (Positive Thinking)

Health Lesson FREE: Improving Self-Esteem Through Positive Self-Talk

Self Esteem: Positive Thinking Worksheets

Social Skills: Changing Negative Self Talk to Positive Self Talk

Anxiety Skills Practice Graphic Organizer: Practising Self-Talk

Taming Test Anxiety: Positive Self-Talk

Character Education: Self-Talk Activities ages 14-15

Positive Affirmation Posters

Positive Affirmation Cards for Children

When You Enter This Classroom...

Positive Thinking for Testing

Positive Affirmations

You Are Enough...An Affirmation Poster Set

Kids Affirmation Cards

Positive Affirmations Tear Away Chart

The Grouchies-Positive Thinking

This is a great book for all ages.  I have used it with kindergarten students and I have used it with fifth graders.  The message is simple:  Negative thoughts can get in the way of having a good day.

Descriptions of book from the cover:  What can you do when the grouchies take hold?  How can you keep a bad mood at bay?  With funny rhymes and a silly chant, The Grouchies shows kids simple and fun ways to turn around grouchy moods.  But most of all, kids will understand how their mood and negativity can affect their family and frineds, and really get in the way of having a good day.

An extensive Note to Parents further explains the child’s expreience and provides parents with easy-to-apply tips and tools for helping their kids when a grumpy day comes along.

Discussion: 

What happened that made the boy feel grouchy?

What did he keep repeating in his head?

Is this an example of negative thinking or positive thinking?

Did this thought make him feel better or worse?  How can you tell?

How did his friends and family feel?

How can you keep the grouchies away?

Activity:  Use black construction paper to cut out a cloud.  I used a marker to write the grouchie’s saying on the back.  Hand out several yellow smiley faces to each student.  Prompt students to write a positive thought on each smiley face and to then use those smiley faces to cover up (beat) the grouchies.   

I have students write a few of their own positive thoughts and then we write a positive thought to replace each negative thought from story: 

Examples:

"I hate oatmeal" is replaced by "my mom must care about me since she is making me breakfast"           

"My sister is having a party without me" is replaced by "maybe my sister will let me play with her"           

"My sister took my bear without asking" is replaced with "I have more toys that I can play with"               

"This puzzle is impossible" can be replaced with "I can do this if I really try"

"I don’t want to dry the dishes" can be replaced with "I get to spend time with my dad while we do the dishes"