Talking Goldfish App for Lessons

My kids have always seemed to be mesmerized with the IPad. 

One great App I found this year was a talking animals app.  They have lots of animals to choose from - puppy, pig, monkey, frog, chick...but the one I chose was the talking goldfish! 

I have used this application in my Pre-K and Kindergarten lessons - usually to introduce the topic.  All of those little eyes stare at the IPad screen in anticipation of what "Silver" the goldfish will say. 

It is so easy to use - just download the app, then hit the red button to record, and then presto - whatever you said, the goldfish will now say in his squeaky voice!

The video below is about sharing!

The next video is Silver the Goldfish talking about manners!  These videos are just lots of fun...

Valentine's Day Staff Appreication Gifts

Holidays are a great time to remind the school staff that you appreciate them! 

 

I was only able to do this particular gift for our administration because of the cost of the M&M's.  I used our school colors for the M&M's, and the Valentine's note read, "Do what you love, love what you do."  The M&M's came from "It's Sugar," but some local candy shops also sell colored M&M's.  I printed the tags off myself. 

 



School Counseling Office Decor

A school counselor's office makes a big first impression.  When a child or parent walks in, they decide:  Is this a safe place for me to talk about my life or my child's problems?  Or do I feel like I am in the Principal's Office?

I spend a lot of time in my office - so I want it to represent me and who I am as a counselor - fun, exciting, creative, safe, and caring!

On my office door, I include a simple, easy-to-understand, mission statement that I feel addresses the social-emotional, academic, and career components of the ASCA model.

"My mission is to help students with problems, support their strengths and talents, and guide them towards future success."

I have a Counselor word collage posted to help students and parents understand my role. 

My personal mission statement is also posted on my door.  It communicates to others what motivates me to be a school counselor, and is a great reminder for myself everyday when I walk in!  My personal mission statement is:

"I want to inspire people.  I want someone to look at

me and say, 'Because of you, I didn't give up.'"

 

Below is a photo of my office door, with a colorful, fun border.  You can buy the border from Stones Education Superstore:

Character Education Bolder Border®, T-85062

 
Once students enter my office, I have a comfortable, fun area filled with books, toys, stuffed animals, and interesting gadgets.  For seating, I have bean bags (which the kids love), a soft pillow, a chair, and a rug.  I bought my bean bags at Garden Ridge - they have a large assortment.  My soft pillow came from Dollar General and my rug came from Wal-Mart. 

Of course, every school counselor needs a sandbox!  I also have a dry erase board.  I sometimes use this to teach lessons.  I also use a projector to project relevant YouTube video clips onto the white board for small groups.

 

 

 

More décor tips to come in another blog post...