Friendship Small Group Lesson: Strategies to Solve Conflicts with Friendship Fortune Tellers!

Conflicts are an inevitable part of daily life, even for children. However, it is crucial to help children understand that conflicts can be resolved with ease. In my Friendship Small Group, I focus on equipping children with the necessary tools to solve friendship problems effectively. 

Sharing Personal Experiences:

To begin our Friendship Small Group sessions, I encourage children to share their own experiences of having conflicts with friends and SUCCESSFULLY resolving them. By doing so, children reflect on their problem-solving abilities and develop self-awareness that this can be done! This sharing session creates a safe environment where children can also learn from one another.

Exploring Strategies:

In our lessons, I introduce a variety of conflict-resolution strategies to the group. Utilizing a Smart Board, I display these strategies, ensuring the students are familiar with them. While some strategies may be known to the students already, we focus on explaining the "Chance" strategy. This approach emphasizes fairness, ensuring that each person involved has an equal opportunity. To bring this concept to life, I allow the students to play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors or Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum in a Dish, allowing them to experience firsthand how these Chance solutions can be applied to resolve disagreements in various situations. We then engage in a discussion about the specific scenarios where these strategies can be effectively utilized.

Applying Strategies:

After familiarizing the children with different strategies, I encourage them to apply these approaches to real-life situations. In a group setting, students take turns presenting social scenarios and selecting a problem-solving strategy to address the issue at hand. I emphasize that there is no one "right" way to solve a problem. I also use this opportunity to introduce using "I" messages, which promote assertive and respectful communication.

Creating Problem Solvers:

To make the learning experience more engaging and hands-on, I allow the students to create their own Friendship Problem Solvers. These problem solvers are reminiscent of the ones many adults may remember from their own childhood. I like to pre-cut the Friendship Problem Solvers to save time and ensure clean edges. The children then personalize and decorate their problem solvers, which in turn, fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their creations.

Teaching kids about friendship and conflict resolution is beneficial to all. By equipping them with problem-solving strategies, we empower them to handle their conflicts, build lasting friendships, and a harmonious school community.

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Mr. Potato Head Dresses for Success

It is Career month at my school.  We typically focus on Careers through Classroom Guidance and conclude the focus with a Career Week where we have a Dress-up Day, Vehicle Day for the younger students, and Career Speaker Day for the older students.  This year I made an interactive bulletin board to get the kids thinking about career exploration.

I'm not sure how many Potato Heads I have around my house, but I got to thinking...I love how Mr. Potato Head has increased his wardrobe over the years.  I think of the many different hair pieces and accessories we have such as Pirate Potato Head or Spider Spud.  We just may have more Potato outfits than Barbie outfits!












As I pondered about playing with Mr. Potato Head, I came up with an interactive, dress Mr. Potato Head in a Career Outfit Bulletin Board!

I started by cutting out a basic Mr. Potato Head figure out of brown construction paper.  I just drew these free hand. Then I cut out the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, mustache and hands and attached them all to the Potato body.  Next I cut out three different pairs of boots - brown, black, and white; as well as, one pair of flippers.  I decided to dress Mr. Potato Head with different career hats.  Each career also has one tool that they use.  For instance you could dress Mr. Potato Head as a Magician by giving him a top hat and a magic wand.

I made three suitcases and labeled them: Work Hats, Work Tools, and Work Boots.  After having all the pieces laminated, I attached velcro dots to the back of the individual pieces and stored them in their appropriate suitcase.  Now Mr. Potato Head has interchangeable career outfits! I came up with the following Career Hats and Career Tools/Hand-held objects:

1. Astronaut - Space Helmet with microphone and a Walkie Talkie
2. Chef - Chef Hat and a Pie
3. Scuba Diver - Scuba Mask and Snorkle
4. Detective - Shirlock Holmes Hat and a Magnifying Glass
5. Magician - Top Hat and a Wand
6. Construction Worker - Hard Hat and a Hammer
7. Police Officer - Police Cap and Handcuffs
8. Doctor - Medical Headlight and a Medical Bag
9. Mail Man - Mail Man Hat and a Letter to Mrs. Potato Head
10. Plumber - Plumber Cap and Plunger
11. Fireman - Fireman Helmet and a Hose

As soon as the kids saw my new bulletin board, they swarmed it like a hive of bees!

I'm hoping it doesn't get torn up or I might just have to quote Mrs. Potato Head,

 "Don't make me get out my angry eyes!" 

Effective Anger Management Strategies for Children: A Guide to Regulating Emotions

Hey there! As an elementary school counselor, I've had my fair share of experiences helping children navigate their emotions. Today, I want to chat with you about a common emotion that often challenges our little ones: anger. It’s such a natural thing that happens to all of us and it is important to help our kids understand anger and learn strategies to manage it. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and let's dive in!

What's the deal with anger?

You know what’s coming when you see a child’s face turn red, their fists clench, and they start stomping around...yup, that's anger! Anger shows up when kids feel frustrated, threatened, or treated unfairly. It's a natural response, but it can sometimes get overwhelming. Our job is to help them understand and express anger in healthier ways.

How can we help children manage anger?

• Encourage Emotional Expression: We need to create a safe space where kids can freely express their anger without judgment. Teach them different ways to communicate their feelings, like using words or even getting creative with drawing or writing.
• Self-awareness: Help children identify what triggers their anger and recognize the signs that show they're getting upset. Once they know the warning signs, they can take steps to manage their emotions before things get out of control.
• Teach Relaxation Strategies: Introduce calming techniques like deep breathing exercises, visualization, or even the grounding strategy. These strategies give kids the power to regain control and find their inner calm when anger strikes.
• Encourage Problem-solving: Let's teach kids problem-solving skills! Encourage them to think of alternative solutions to their anger-inducing situations, consider other people's perspectives, and find compromises that lead to positive outcomes.

Why teach anger management skills?

Now, you might be wondering why all this effort is worth it. Well, let me tell you about the amazing benefits:

• Improved self-regulation: When kids learn to manage anger, they gain better control over their emotions. That means fewer meltdowns and more stable emotional well-being.
• Supercharged social skills: Anger management skills promote empathy, understanding, and effective communication. Kids become pros at resolving conflicts peacefully, leading to healthier relationships.
• Academic success: With a calmer mind, kids can focus better in class, leading to improved concentration and academic performance.
• Long-term well-being: Equipping kids with anger management skills early on sets them up for a lifetime of positive mental health. They'll have healthier ways to cope with stress and navigate life's challenges.

The Smart Fish

In one of my favorite lessons on anger management, I like to share a metaphorical story called "The Story of the Smart Fish." Although I didn't write this story myself, I discovered it to be a powerful tool for teaching anger management to my group.

The story goes like this: There's a fisherman who fishes in the same spot every day. The fish in that area eventually realize that the bait isn't actually a tasty dinner but rather brings danger. So, they decide to become "Smart Fish" and resist taking the bait, day after day, no matter how much bait the fisherman uses. Eventually, the fisherman grows tired of not catching anything and moves on to a new fishing hole.

I find that students really connect with this metaphor because they can relate it to situations where others are "fishing" for a reaction from them. We go through the story together and compare it to what others may do to provoke anger in them. The "bait" in this case refers to mean words. Even if you ignore those mean words the first time, people may come back and add more "bait." It may take several times of ignoring the "bait" before the people move on to a new fishing hole.

To illustrate this lesson, I use a Smart Board to visually depict The Story of the Smart Fish and ways to ignore the bait and avoid the danger of getting angry. Here are three strategies we discuss:

• Become a brick wall: Imagine yourself as a solid brick wall. Even if someone tries to push you, if you remain firm and do not budge, they won't get what they want. By showing that their words or actions don't affect you, you take away their power.
• Remember that it takes two to play: When someone tries to provoke you, remember that it takes your participation for them to succeed. If you choose not to engage or react, they will eventually move on to someone else who will.
• Remember the truth: In moments of anger, it's essential to remind yourself of the truth. Negative words or actions from others don't define you or change your worth. Holding onto positive self-beliefs and good feelings will protect you from the bait that others may throw your way.

To culminate the lesson, we engage in a hands-on activity where we create "Smart Fish" using old computer CDs. I was fortunate enough to receive a stack of CDs from our computer teacher, who no longer needed them for an older program. We upcycle them for projects like this. I print out the strategies to ignore the bait on CD labels and glue them onto the CDs. Then, students get creative, decorating their Smart Fish with fins, sequins, and markers.

This activity serves as a tangible reminder of the strategies we discussed and helps students internalize the concept of not taking the bait. Plus, it's a fun and interactive way to wrap up the lesson, leaving the students with a visual representation of their newfound anger management skills.

Remember, as we equip children with the tools to manage their anger, we empower them to navigate challenging situations with resilience and emotional intelligence.

Tips for managing anger in the classroom:

As a counselor, I love sharing tips with teachers to create a peaceful classroom environment. Here are a few suggestions:

• Emotional check-ins: Start the day with a quick emotional check-in, where kids can share how they're feeling. It builds a sense of community connection and encourages open communication.
• Setting clear expectations: Establish classroom rules that promote respect and empathy. Consistent expectations help kids understand how to handle anger appropriately. And remember, fair consequences are key!
• Teach coping strategies: Incorporate anger management activities into your lessons. Discuss how characters in stories handle their anger or people from history. Try mindfulness exercises, role-playing conflict resolution, or even journaling writing prompts. The crucial thing is to ensure that your students feel supported when they experience these intense emotions. By providing a safe space and implementing these strategies, we can help kids regulate their emotions and acquire valuable skills not only in the counselor's office but also in the classroom.
• Seek support: Don't hesitate to collaborate with school counselors or mental health professionals. They can organize workshops or bring in guest speakers who can offer additional guidance on anger management.

As educators, we have a crucial role in helping our children understand and handle their anger. By providing support, understanding, and teaching them effective anger management skills, we empower them to navigate their emotions with confidence. So, let's embrace these strategies and guide our kids toward a happier and more balanced emotional journey. Remember, we're in this together!

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"Paws" for Career Awareness & Exploration Research Booklet

                                       

Unleashing Excitement: 

Get those tails wagging with excitement because this month, our lesson is all about careers, just like fetching sticks or chasing squirrels! We want our younger students to sniff out the countless opportunities that lie ahead. So, instead of just giving them a boring career lesson, they are getting a "pawsome" opportunity to research in the computer lab, where they can explore their interests and some howlingly cool careers. Our amazing computer teachers are the top dogs and have handpicked safe websites for our little explorers. We've got quite a collection, but for today's adventure, we'll be digging into the "Paws in Jobland" site!

Sniffing Out Opportunities: 

Kids will have their ears perked as they do the "Job Finder" online survey. The best part is that all the questions and careers are read out loud to them, making it super easy for everyone to follow along! Once they've finished the survey, they'll be taken to a cartoon community where they'll discover the highlighted career clusters. 

A "Pawsome" Adventure: 

They get to "sniff" out specific careers in their chosen clusters! Just by clicking on the cluster, a list of awesome careers will appear. They can watch a fun slideshow video that explains the ins and outs of each career. And they can "fetch" information for two exciting careers to fill their mini career research booklets!

Bone-a-fide Ways to Encourage Career Awareness:

Expanding Paw-sibilities: Introduce your primary students to many different jobs and careers, so they can discover new possibilities and explore their interests.

Early Sniff-out: Help young learners understand what adults do for work, showing them the different jobs people have in the world.

Tail-wagging Exploration: Encourage students to explore their interests and hobbies, and show them how these can relate to future careers.

Goal-fetching: Teach students the importance of setting goals for their education and future careers, and motivate them to work towards achieving their dreams.

Motivation with Bark-worthy Relevance: Connect what students learn in the classroom to real-life situations and careers, making their education more meaningful and exciting.

Pawsome Aspirations: Inspire students to dream big and believe in their own potential by introducing them to a variety of careers.

Canine Confidence: Boost students' confidence by helping them recognize their strengths and talents, and showing them that they have something valuable to contribute to the world.

Fetching Life Skills: Develop important life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork through career exploration activities.

Family Pack Engagement: Involve families in career discussions and activities to provide additional support and guidance for students.

Wag-tastic Planning: Teach students the importance of planning for their future, helping them make informed decisions and set goals for their education and career paths.

Craft Your Own Career Research Booklet:

So, get ready to embark on a bone-a-fide journey of career discovery like no other! Your tails will be wagging with excitement as you download this FREE Career Research Booklet! To make these awesome career research booklets, just print and fold them in half twice to make quarter-sized booklets. 

You can get this Paw-some Freebie here:

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Recognizing Anger In Our Bodies & Controlling Emotions

Hey there! Today I wanted to share about one of my favorite small group Anger Management activities. Our bodies give us clues that we are getting angry and if we can tap into those clues ahead of time, we can be proactive in handling those emotions. 

We start with a fun word puzzle activity called "I Can Feel Anger in my Body Word Puzzle" and then make Anger Journal Books. These activities help students identify their own body’s reactions and understand their response to anger.  

 

Let’s look into the benefits of these activities and how they can help kids manage their anger better.

Recognizing Body Clues:

So, the first thing we did was this awesome word puzzle. We unscrambled words to figure out different body parts and how they react when someone is getting angry. The kids came up with all sorts of cool stuff! They said their heart beats fast, they feel butterflies in their stomach, their hair stands up, their fists get all tight, their face gets hot, their ears stop working, and their breathing gets heavy. It was amazing to see them share their experiences, and I drew it all on the Smart Board to make it more fun!

Benefits of Recognizing Body Clues:

Recognizing the clues from our bodies when we're angry has some pretty neat benefits for kids. First off, it helps them become more self-aware. By knowing what their bodies are telling them, they can understand their emotions better. It also helps them stop anger from getting out of control. When they recognize those signs early on, they can take a step back and use some calming strategies to deal with their anger in a healthier way.

Creating Anger Journal Books:

Now that we know what clues our bodies give us and the way we react, we make these awesome Anger Journal Books using paper bags. We cut the edges of three paper bags and fold them in half to make pockets. It was super simple! On the front cover, we glued on the statements we talked about in our group.

Inside the journal, the kids got to decorate the pages with drawings of the body parts that give them clues when they're getting angry. We put a small picture of a body part in each pocket, and on the back, they completed a statement about when they felt angry. They wrote things like, "Today I felt angry. I knew I was angry because my body gave me clues. I could feel ______________. I handled my angry feelings this way ___________." It was like having their own secret diary!

Benefits of Anger Journal Books:

These Anger Journals are really something special. They give the kids a way to track their anger and how they handle it over time. By writing and drawing about their anger, they can understand it better and learn from their experiences. It's like having a little window into their emotions. Plus, it helps them become more self-aware and emotionally intelligent, which is super important!

Here are some additional activities that could be done... 

Mindful Breathing: Teach students a simple breathing exercise to help them calm down when they feel angry. Encourage them to take slow, deep breaths, counting to four as they inhale and exhale. They can practice this technique whenever they start feeling the physical clues of anger.

Role-playing Scenarios: Create hypothetical situations that might trigger anger in students and have them act out different ways of responding. This activity allows them to practice using their anger management strategies in a safe and controlled environment.

Emotion Charades: Write down various emotions, including anger, on small pieces of paper. Have students take turns picking a paper and acting out the emotion without using any words. The rest of the group can guess which emotion is being portrayed. This activity helps students recognize and understand different emotions, including anger, both in themselves and others.

Emotion Collage: Provide magazines, scissors, glue sticks, and large sheets of paper. Ask students to cut out images or words that represent different emotions, including anger. Then, they can create collages by arranging and gluing these images onto the paper. This activity helps students explore and express their emotions visually.

Worry Dolls: Have students make their own worry dolls using pipe cleaners, yarn, and small fabric scraps. As they create these dolls, explain that they can share their worries and angry feelings with the dolls before going to sleep. This craft encourages students to externalize their emotions and feel a sense of relief.

Calming Sensory Bottles: Provide empty plastic bottles, water, glitter, and small objects like beads or sequins. Students can fill the bottles with water, add glitter and small objects, and seal them tightly. These sensory bottles can serve as calming tools, as students watch the objects swirl and settle, helping them relax and refocus their thoughts when feeling angry.

Anger Thermometer: Create a large thermometer template on a poster board or chart paper. Have students decorate and label it with different anger levels, such as "cool," "warm," "hot," and "exploding." Encourage them to draw or write about specific strategies or activities they can use to bring their anger levels down. This visual representation helps students monitor and regulate their anger intensity.

Feelings Masks: Provide paper plates, craft supplies like markers, paints, and yarn, and elastic bands. Students can decorate the masks to represent different emotions, including anger. They can then use these masks in role-playing activities to express and manage their emotions effectively.

Teaching elementary students about anger management is such a valuable skill! By recognizing the clues their bodies give them and creating Anger Journal Books, kids can learn to handle their anger in a healthier way. It's all about understanding themselves better and finding effective strategies to manage their emotions. These activities are a great step toward helping them become more self-aware, regulate their emotions, and handle challenging situations like pros!

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