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Topic: Recognizing and Maintaining Healthy Friendships Grade Level: 7th & 8th grade Rationale and clear purpose for the unit or lesson: The characteristics of one’s friends influence so many aspects of who one becomes. A student’s friends often predict what that student gets involved with, how he or she thinks of himself or herself, and who else a student spends time and energy with. Middle school is a pivotal time for students in both their development of friendships and their susceptibility to the pitfalls of peer pressure and other negative consequences related to the pursuit of identity. For these reasons, the guidance lesson will cause students to consider aspects of a healthy friendship and then learn to identify those characteristics or their lack in real life scenarios they may face. Applicable standard(s), objective(s), competency(ies):   Students will develop a knowledge of the factors and characteristics involved in friendship that is strengthening and beneficial. T...

Students will spend a majority of their life in school, they will learn how to be social with peers, expand their minds, challenge themselves like never before and be independent for the first time from their parents. As school turns into a second home it is extremely important to cherish those minds so they may flourish. Creating a safe school climate allows students to reach higher and ultimately push the boundaries. Not only should this climate be productive for students, teachers, administration and parents need security and nourishment to flourish. A successful school climate looks like an environment where students, administration, teachers and parents can cohesively work and support one another in a safe, nurturing and respectful environment. School climate can be represented by the attitude of staff, physical aesthetics of the building and culture of a building. It is the character of a school including norms, values, morals, relationships, interpersonal relationships, teaching...

According to ASCA, school climate is the “quality and character of a school”. In a warm school climate, the school's “norms, values and expectations support all students feeling socially, emotionally and physically safe” (ASCA, 2015). Climate improvement must be inclusive of the entire school community, from staff members to parents to students. In regards to staff, this can be as simple as developing a social committee that celebrates special events in staff member’s lives (baby showers, birthdays, etc). For parents, educational workshops such as Love and Logic or phone calls home to celebrate success can help parents to feel supported. For students, the celebration of achievements and school spirit can vastly improve how students view their school. Efforts to improve school climate must look beyond students to include those that support them within the larger school community. Key Elements of Warm School Climate Targeted behavior and academic interventions Bullying prevention Sup...

Rationale: This lesson plan focuses on the awareness and impact words have on people.  All students have trigger words or experiences that can be hurtful to them, and this lesson aims to show students that everyone has been bullied or hurt by something someone else has said to them.  Hurtful words can be intentionally or unintentionally said, and a goal of this lesson is to show kids it is important to think before you speak.  This lesson is meant to teach students to be in tune with their own emotions of when they have been bullied or hurt by someone else.  In being aware of their own emotions, they can use that feeling to be empathetic towards others.  In doing so, they will know not to bully, stand up against bullies, stand up for others they see getting bullied, and promote and spread kindness.  This lesson will highlight that individually we all have differences - good and bad - that make us unique.  Even though we are all different, we are all pa...

Support Systems An important factor in being an effective school counselor is having a strong mutual support system between the community, the school district, colleagues, parents and most importantly a support for all students.  A school counselor must be able to understand and be aware of the of a student’s need both inside and outside of school in order to facilitate a supportive environment.  Two key support systems that positively impact a school counselor’s role while also addressing student needs is to providing support colleagues in the building and a student’s parents/guardians. Support to Colleagues School counselors not only have an obligation to the students they serve in their school, but also to the colleagues in their building and district.  School counselors have a large and impactful role in a school that can at times be overwhelming. School counselors are faced with many ethical dilemmas that may not have a clear-cut answer. During these times, it’s impo...

Rationale:  This guidance lesson will help students form connections and a better understanding of how their brain is functioning and regulating their emotions. Students will have an opportunity to visually see emotions and connect those feelings to what parts of the brain are triggered. These exercises will provide students with physical movement; a visual display and sensory triggers that will help remind them when they are in a “feelings” state and how they can deescalate themselves while having an understanding of what is happening in their brain. Objective:  Counselor will give students a written form or assessment that tests their knowledge from the guidance lesson. On the assessment students will try to connect facial recognition with upstairs brain or downstairs brain. In addition students will have a physical exercise that may help remind them what “learning ready” or “flip your lid” looks like. Grade : 2nd Grade Materials: Brain Poster Pictures of People (Magazines w...