"Shoot for the Moon" bulletin board

Shoot for the Moon

I've posted this new bulletin board at New Haven Intermediate this week! I've received many positive remarks about the cuteness! Thank you Krissy from Venspired Blog (http://venspired.com/?p=1225)! On her blog you can find the "Shoot for the Moon" saying and print it off! It's great to find free items! My lovely ART teacher Missy Czaja made my rocket ship!!! I'm grateful to have artistic people in my life to help assist me! I find lots of cute bulletin boards on Pinterest, but my drawing capabilities are limited. 

My plan is to use this saying in my lesson in January *New Year*! 

I want to empower kids to not give up on their dreams!

Conversation Starters

Just a little conversation...

There are times when working with kids I feel like I ask the same questions over and over. I found these wonderful conversation starters from The Stylish School Counselor at TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers)! They're 4 topics: Friendship, Bullying, Self-Esteem, and Ice Breakers! I use them during small groups, but they can also be used during classroom lessons.

I put all 4 into their own mason jar! I cut out and laminated all the conversation strips and label.

Bulletin Boards

Character Counts Bulletin Boards

At New Haven Intermediate, we follow the Character Counts curriculum. We celebrate all 6 pillars throughout the school year by lessons and awards. I've come up with a schedule that fits the school year and the different special events (Red Ribbon Week, Valentine's Day, and Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday). I have one bulletin board that is for Character Counts and I keep it updated throughout the school year. I have many students who talk about the bulletin board during my Character lessons. It's nice to know that student's are paying attention in the hallways. I've posted Trustworthiness and Responsibility boards from this year. I'm excited that other counselors post their creative works on Pinterest and blogs...it gives my brain a direction to go in. I'll be back later in the year with more pictures!

Trustworthiness- August & September

Responsibility- October & November 

Respect- January

Caring- February

Fairness- March

Citizenship- April

All Pillars- May

 Trustworthiness!

 Responsibility!

Respect!

Caring!

Character Counts!

Character DOES Count!

These lovely pillars were already displayed when I came to work at New Haven Intermediate. I was very excited to dress them up and make them my own. These pillars are colorful and catch the kid's eyes when they are walking to class in the morning. I love them because they brighten up the hallway!  Each pillar has a Character Count and examples of them. For example: Trustworthiness- honest, reliable, loyal, and having a good reputation. All of these pillars are discussed in lessons throughout the year!

     

Organizing

Organization is KEY!!! 

Over my 3 years as a counselor, I have purchased many books (my husband doesn't support my trips to Barnes and Noble). I was finding it difficult to find specific books, so I decided to organize them. I've categorized all my books! Examples of those categories: bullying, Character Counts, military, social skills, friendship, counseling, anxiety, acceptance, anger, and stranger danger. I went to Do It Best and asked for paint sticks. The staff was very friendly and gave me them for free.  I am now more organized and a little less stressed searching for my books!

Books

BOOKS, BOOKS, & BOOKS!
 

I recently found these treasures!
 I was so excited when they finally came in paperback! Weird, Dare, and Tough are written by Erin Frankel and illustrated by Paula Heaphy. The series is about a bullying situation. The book "Weird" is the target's point of view, the book "Dare" is the bystander's point of view, and the book "Tough" is the bully's view. This series is a great way to teach children all three points of view! I've been looking for a book to help students understand what a bystander is and I found it!
All three stories have an illustration theme that makes them fun! I'm almost finished with reading "Weird" to all the classes. Students can't wait for me to come back and read the next book in the series. I'm happy to see them excited about my stories and my message!
 

Bulletin Boards

 

The Anti-Bullying Machine!!!

Turn Your Cruelty Into Kindness

 

 

I love creating bulletin boards! I found this idea on Pinterest :) Thanks to Danielle Schultz at The School Counselor Blog. Each month I go around to all the classrooms and teach an anti-bullying lesson. We discuss the definitions (bully, bystander, target), types of bullying, and sign an anti-bullying pledge. Most times, I always have a fabulous book about bullying. We are reading "Weird" by Erin Frankel. October and November we will continue with Frankel's series ("Dare" and "Tough"). If you don't have these books in your collection, I suggest you get them! They are FABULOUS! 

 

The students are always full of insights to experiences they've had in the past.

The lessons are never a dull moment!