Alert: New Tech Tool!

Are you looking for a creative, visual way to share information with staff, parents, or students? 

 

Try Haiku Deck. 

 

1. Go to www.haikudeck.com.
2. Sign up for free.  
3. Create your own presentation in 10 minutes! 

TIP: You can search for graphics on Haiku Deck.  You don't have to upload your own.

Below is a Haiku Deck you can share with staff

at your school to kick off the year!

Back to School - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires

Teaching Children Deep Breathing and Mindfulness

Below are 3 great videos to help your kids learn the art of deep breathing and mindfulness.

This 2-minute video explains the 3 steps to meditation, including sitting posture, feeling your breath, and dealing with distractions.  Great video for students or staff!




The video below (a little over 1 minute) explains the brain regions impacted by mindfulness/deep breathing. It introduces three words - prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Great for elementary school-aged students!




The 3.5 minute video below helps students better understand the mind-body connection. It uses relatable students to teach the concept of deep breathing.

 

Use PowToon.com to Reach Stakeholders Using Technology

PowToon's motto is, "Brings Awesomeness to Your Presentations!"  PowToons is a FREE way to engage others in a visual way using technology.

As a school counselor, you can use PowToon to:

• Share data with stakeholders
• Announce upcoming events with parents, staff, and the community
• Motivate staff
• Teach a simple concept to students

The link below shows the short 3 minute PowToon video I created and shared with stakeholders, including our superintendent, assistant superintendent, and student services director.

 

Overcoming Obstacles Lesson

Small Group

I am currently running two small groups for upper grades students with low academic motivation. Some of these kids openly admit that they do not like school - and the underlying reason is often that school is difficult for them.  More difficult than it was for me and you.

Unconditional Positive Regard

Throughout this group, I have found it important to create a group environment that allows for honesty and discussion.  This group is not about students giving me the "right answers."  When I facilitate this small group, I remember one of the tenets of Carl Rogers' person-centered theory - unconditional positive regard.  This means that I accept the students as they are and without judgment.  The goal is not to tell them that they should like school.  The goal is to help uncover what is holding them back and inspire them to change.

I hope for light bulb moments - moments when they realize how their thought patterns hold them back or moments when they catch a piece of inspiration that can push them to do better.  I remember a session when one of the students shared damaging words from a relative about their potential for success.  Challenging these false beliefs and making connections for success is what this group is all about!

Videos

One thing I love to use with this group is videos.  Videos are visual, attention-grabbing, sometimes funny, and sometimes emotional.  When showing some of the videos, several of the boys have jokingly (or maybe it was truth in jest) said, "I'm going to cry!" 

When something triggers the emotional part of our brain, we tend to remember it better.

Below are several of the motivational videos I use as part of my work with these students.

Video #1



Discussion Questions:

• What was his dream?
• What stood in the way?
• What kept him going?

And the key is to always relate the content of the video back to their personal situation!

Video #2



Discussion Questions:

• What was his obstacle?
• How did he overcome it?
• How can our attitude influence our situation?

Video #3

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...