Exploring Career interests and Finding a Just Right Job: An Elementary Career Exploration Lesson

November is National Career Development Month, making it the perfect time to teach little ones about exploring their career interests. And what better way to do that than by using the book "How Santa Got His Job"! This delightful story not only entertains but also teaches children valuable lessons about finding their passion and the journey to discovering the perfect career path.

To start the lesson, I transitioned by discussing the concept of jobs and careers with the students. We talked about how jobs are a special kind of work that helps others or keeps the world running smoothly. I asked the students to share some examples of the jobs that grownups at our school do to support our learning environment, such as teachers, principals, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and school counselors. This discussion helped set the stage for exploring the process of choosing careers.

Next, we dove into the story "How Santa Got His Job" by Stephen Krensky. As I read the book, I encouraged the students to identify the different jobs that Santa tried before finding his "just right" job as Santa Claus. We had a lively discussion about why Santa picked each job and what interests he discovered in each one.

To further engage the students, I created a PowerPoint presentation. Each slide represented one of Santa's interests, and the students had to select the corresponding picture. When they clicked on it, the PowerPoint revealed how Santa incorporated that interest into his "just right" job. For example, Santa loved wearing his red circus costume, so now he wears his iconic red Santa suit! This activity allowed the students to see how Santa matched his interests, personality, and abilities to find a job he truly enjoyed.

In line with the ASCA standards, this lesson helped students understand the relationships between personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work. By exploring Santa's career journey, the students could make connections between their own interests and potential careers.

The next part of the lesson focused on the importance of selecting a job that aligns with personal preferences. Using the "career s-ELF-lie" challenge, I introduced Santa's elves who wanted to pursue different careers beyond toy-making. I presented descriptions of various careers and asked the students to guess which elf matched each career. This activity promoted collaborative problem-solving and effective communication skills while encouraging the students to think about their own interests and potential career paths.

To wrap up the lesson, I introduced the "Elf  Yourself" activity. I encouraged the students to think about what they liked to do and what careers they might be interested in. They were then asked to draw their own "Career s-ELF-ie" to represent their aspirations.

Teaching about careers can be a fun and engaging way to empower young minds. By incorporating interactive activities and discussions, we can help children explore their interests, set goals, and develop the confidence to pursue their dreams. Let's continue inspiring the next generation to think about their future and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead!

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Teaching Conflict Resolution with A Bug and A Wish: Empowering Students to Overcome and Squash Challenges

Buzzing Adventure:

In a recent classroom activity, I had a blast teaching my first-grade students about using Bug and Wish statements to tackle pesky problems that “bug” them. We started by reading a charming book, A Bug and A Wish by Karen Scheuer, where Tyler learns the power of "I" statements. Join me on this blog post to discover our engaging lesson that helps students buzz through conflicts and conquer challenges!

Engaging Classroom Buzz:

We kicked off the excitement by practicing Bug and Wish statements as a class, buzzing with ideas on which statement would zap away different buggy situations. To add to the fun, brave students had a chance to share their Bug and Wish statements for specific scenarios, turning our classroom into a hive of creativity and self-expression!!!

Collaborative Hive Activity:

Next, I formed groups of three, each sporting bug body part cards. The challenge? Hunt down their matching bug buddies and proudly raise their bug antennas (pointer fingers) in triumph! I then presented each group with a picture to analyze, encouraging them to identify the buggy feelings the child might be experiencing. The groups worked together to create Bug and Wish statements for the child in the picture. When it was time to share, a surprise bug body part on the board revealed the group with the matching statement. Our hive buzzed with excitement as each group unveiled their situation and magical Bug and Wish solution. Together, we built a magnificent butterfly of ideas!

Memorable Take Away:

To reinforce the lesson, students were thrilled to color a bookmark that would serve as a reminder of how to use Bug and Wish statements whenever something or someone is bothering them. This practical tool empowers them to address conflicts confidently and find resolutions.

Conclusion:

By teaching our students this buzzworthy technique of how to use Bug and Wish statements, we equip them with the tools to squash conflicts like true bug champions! This fun and interactive approach empowers students to express themselves, collaborate with peers, and find positive solutions to the little things that bug them. Start fostering a more harmonious classroom environment by exploring the world of Bug and Wish statements today!

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Engage Children to Be Mon"STAR" Students with Active Listening & Following Directions

Monstrous Listening Skills Unleashed: Engaging Firsties in a Memorable Lesson

Last week, I had an absolute blast teaching my first graders about the incredible power of using their entire bodies to listen. With so many distractions in their lives, it's no easy feat for these little monsters to stay focused. We kicked off our lesson with a discussion on the telltale signs of active listening. "How can the speaker/teacher tell you are listening?", but it turned into a funny moment when one student thought I was referring to a microphone speaker instead of a speaker!

To hook the kids from the start, we watched a Sesame Street video called "The Biscotti Kid," featuring none other than the Cookie Monster. We giggled and learned as we explored how the Cookie Monster earned his prestigious cookie belt, which naturally led us to discuss each body part's role in helping us stay attentive. To make it even more memorable, I created a delightful monster-themed slideshow, complete with adorable illustrations.

    

A Howling Delight: The Kids' Love for Interactive Learning

As we discussed each body part, we reinforced our learning with engaging hand movements that added a touch of fun and helped cement the concepts in their minds. We had goggle eyes for keen observation, a finger in front of our mouths for quiet listening, hands cupping our open ears to enhance focus, hands calmly resting by our sides, bodies facing forward, feet firmly planted on the floor, a gentle pat on our brains to remind us to think, and finally, we even made a heart shape with our hands to symbolize empathy. We repeated our hand movements each time adding a different body part to our chant!

Building our Mon"star" Listener: Rhyming Riddles for Understanding

To assess their understanding, I posed a series of rhyming riddles that gradually revealed the components of our Mon"star" listener. Here are a few examples that had their imaginations running wild:

"I keep this part facing front, it's not time to do a stunt. Nor do I practice my karate, I stay calm with my ________."

Answer: BODY.

"I keep these on the person in sight, when listening, I know this is right. It shows that I am very wise to always listen with my ________."

Answer: EYES.

Unleashing Creativity: Drawing Your Own Mon"star" Student

To conclude our monstrous journey, I invited the students to unleash their creativity by drawing their very own Mon"star" student. This allowed them to showcase their understanding of active listening while tapping into their artistic talents!

By bringing together the magic of monsters and the power of active body engagement, we transformed the act of listening into an exciting and memorable experience. Stay tuned to discover more monstrously engaging adventures in our learning journey!

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A Pirate-Themed Adventure: Exploring the Role of a School Counselor in a Meet the Counselor Introduction Lesson!

Ahoy, me hearties! Gather 'round and listen closely as I spin ye a tale of me quest to present meself as a school counselor in the most swashbucklin' way possible. This year, I set me sights on a pirate theme, for it be a theme close to me heart. If ye've been followin' me other posts on this Blog, ye know well that me love for pirates runs deep. So, I hatched a grand plan—a Virtual Treasure Hunt fit for the most adventurous of young souls!

To set the stage for me role, I conjured up riddles that would lead the young scallywags on a journey through the treacherous seas of knowledge learnin’ about the role of the school counselor. With each riddle I read, the students would carefully choose a picture on me interactive map, guidin' them to their next clue. Aye, the excitement grew with every step, as they drew closer to unveilin' the greatest treasure of all—discoverin' that their school counselor be the true gem in their lives!

Once the final clue be unraveled and the treasure revealed, we gathered together like a crew of pirates, eager to delve deeper into the mysteries of the high seas. I unfurled a grand pirate diagram, complete with labels that marked every piece of a pirate's gear and attire. We discussed each part in detail, and as we did, I cleverly wove in examples of how I, too, don me metaphorical pirate hat to help the students navigate the sometimes choppy waters of school and life. They listened with wide-eyed wonder, their imaginations takin' flight as they saw me in a whole new light.

But our adventure was far from over, me hearties! I had one more trick up me sleeve—a game to test their mettle and camaraderie. 'Twas called Cannon Ball Catch, a test of skill and wit. I stood before me young crew, holdin' a small, weighted ball in me hand, a symbol of the mighty cannonballs that pirates be accustomed to. With a mighty heave, I tossed the ball to the first eager matey, who swiftly caught it with a gleam in their eye. "Tell me somethin' special about ye," I challenged, and the young scallywag did not disappoint. With a grin, they shared a tidbit about themselves afore passin' the ball to the next eager soul. And so it went, the ball makin' its way from one brave matey to another, each one sharin' a unique piece of their story.

Now, with me seasoned fifth graders, I decided to raise the stakes. I challenged them to think harder, to come up with somethin' I didn't already know about 'em. 'Twas no easy task, for I had been by their side for a good three years, witnessin' their growth and adventures. Yet still, they surprised me time and time again, as they dug deep to unearth hidden gems within their own hearts and minds.

So, me hearties, let us raise our mugs of grog in a toast to the power of imagination, to the spirit of discovery, and to the everlasting bond between a school counselor and their crew of eager learners. Sail on, me mateys, and may ye always find the treasures that lie within ye!

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