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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Transforming a Tiny School Counseling Office Space: Creative Makeover Ideas and Clever Storage Solutions

My Marvelous Journey into a Tiny Office Space

I'm absolutely thrilled to share my experience from this year! It's been quite a journey, as I was offered the chance to embrace a cozy little office space. Initially, I must admit, I wasn't too thrilled about leaving behind my spacious, sunlit classroom for a compact 10' x 12' office with zero windows. It felt like a significant downgrade, considering I was accustomed to much larger spaces. Instead of dwelling on downsizing, I decided to embrace the concept of working in a smaller area.

From Spacious to Snug

Even though I no longer had a table with chairs or a walk-in closet to store all my supplies, I was determined to create a productive environment for small group sessions. The office came equipped with only six cabinets, but I viewed it as an opportunity to channel my inner enthusiasm for the Tiny Living Movement. I thought to myself, "Why not seize this chance to go tiny?" And without hesitation, I did just that!

 If you are interested in seeing the big classroom that I moved from, click HERE!

A Visual Vortex

Let me share with you the amazing transformation that took place in my office! My main goal was to turn this sterile, plain room into a space that students would absolutely love visiting. To kick things off, I embarked on a mission to make it visually inviting and full of character.

Hand-Drawn Posters and Chalkboard Charms

My first stroke of genius was picking up some chalk-paper contact paper from Walmart. Armed with this magical material, I covered the doors of my cabinets, instantly giving them a fresh and vibrant look. But that was just the beginning! I took it upon myself to hand-draw all the posters using fabulous chalk markers. It was like being an artist in my own little creative sanctuary.

With each stroke of the chalk marker, the room came alive with colors, doodles, and educational illustrations. It was a labor of love, as I poured my heart and soul into each poster, making sure they were engaging and captivating for my students. The transformation was nothing short of remarkable!

Now, when students step into my office, they're greeted by a world of imagination and learning. The chalk-paper-covered cabinets serve as a canvas of inspiration, and the hand-drawn posters add a touch of whimsy and personalization. I couldn't be happier with the results, and I can confidently say that my office has become a true haven for creativity and exploration.

                                          

A Relic Reborn

You won't believe the adventure I had with an old, rusty file cabinet that came my way! It was a relic, older than my firstborn, with dents and rust spots. But you know what? I saw it as a fantastic opportunity for a creative project. With a little bit of ingenuity and a whole lot of excitement, I decided to give it a fabulous makeover.

First things first, I grabbed that trusty chalkboard contact paper, the very same one I used for the cabinet doors. With patience and determination, I covered every inch of that file cabinet, turning it into a magnificent canvas just waiting to be transformed. And boy, did I take it to the next level!

To add an extra touch of pizzazz, I headed straight to the Dollar Tree, where I stumbled upon a treasure trove of 8 x 10 frames. A quick trip to the hardware store for some spray paint and those frames were transformed into little bursts of color and personality. I placed them strategically on the file cabinet, giving it a polished and cohesive look.

But the real magic happened when I decided to label each of the drawers with uplifting reminders. Picture this: as you open the drawer, you're greeted with charming labels that read "Smile," "Laugh," "Inspire," and "Relax." It's a little touch of whimsy that brings a daily dose of joy and positivity into my workspace.

Creating Captivating Memories

For my bulletin board, I plan on adding pictures that I take throughout the year to my board.

Overhead Lighting with Garden Glows

Finally, the overhead fluorescent lighting was just too much. So I added garden lighting to soften the look.

Solutions for Storage and Seating

Oh, let me share with you the clever solutions I found to tackle my storage and seating needs for small group challenges! I wanted to make sure I had everything in place to accommodate my students comfortably and efficiently. So, I went on a shopping spree to find the perfect dual-use items.

First, let's talk about these incredible stools I discovered. Not only are they stylish and functional, but they also have a hidden surprise. Guess what? The lids come off! It's like a magic trick unfolding before your eyes. Underneath, I stashed all the essential supplies needed for small group activities. It's the perfect blend of practicality and space-saving brilliance.

But I didn't stop there! To maximize the storage potential of my bookshelves, I invested in some decorative cloth boxes. These boxes not only add a touch of charm to the shelves, but also provide additional space to store more supplies. It's like a treasure trove of educational goodies neatly organized and easily accessible.

And the best part? With these innovative storage solutions, I've been able to comfortably accommodate groups as large as six! Isn't that amazing? I couldn't be happier with how everything has come together. It's a testament to the power of creativity and resourcefulness.

Now, as I look around my transformed office, I feel a sense of accomplishment and excitement. I'm fully prepared to take on any small group challenges that come my way. My students will have a cozy and organized space where they can learn, collaborate, and grow together.

With the dual-use stools, hidden supplies, and decorative cloth boxes, my office is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. It's a haven of productivity and creativity, where the possibilities are endless. I can't wait to see the smiles on my students' faces as they discover the magical surprises hidden within the stools! 

All in all, I'm confident that my tiny office is ready to conquer any challenges that come my way. It's a testament to the power of thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions to transform limitations into opportunities.

In the end, it's the little details that make all the difference. And in my tiny, transformed office, every corner is infused with a contagious spirit of enthusiasm and inspiration!

Here's a previous Office Redo you may like to check out!