Counseling referral forms

I have been searching for a counseling referral form that I can use with my students.  I found
Vanessa's post on her blog (which is now added to my favorites!) about hers including the freebie.  I decided to add my own personal twist to it (the mint chevron background) and send it in to printpps.com to create notepads so each teacher can have one.  

Here is my design...

I will describe the different types of rocks (Small, medium, and large) to the students during my video intro at the beginning of the year.  I am excited that things are coming together.  I will post photos of the actual notepads when I get them in.

School Counseling Introductions: 5th & 6th grade

My last post on introductions is for 5th and 6th grade.  I will change 6th grade's lesson next year, but this year they will be the same.  I am so excited to have my whole first week of lessons planned out.  I love the idea of doing something different for every grade level and love the flexibility of adding and taking things away each year to make it better.

After searching ASCA Scene, I saw someone said they created a quiz for the students to answer questions about the counselor.  I thought it was a great idea and made a little powerpoint to go along with the questions (& assigned point values to different answer choices).  I think it will be fun to hear their answers and then discuss what a school counselor does.  The lesson plan and quiz are attached.


I hope these lessons have helped you get ideas for your introduction guidance lessons.  :)

Other introduction lessons I'm using:
Kindergarten
1st & 2nd
3rd
4th

School Counselor Introductions: 4th

Very similar to the 3rd grade lesson, the 4th grade is School Counselors are like Hairstylists.

Here is the file...



and the Powerpoint...


Other introduction lessons I'm using:
Kindergarten
1st & 2nd
3rd
5th & 6th

School Counselor Classroom Introductions 3rd

Part 3 of my classroom introductions!!  I am so excited to be knocking these out.  Part of my plan this year is to see how these work and the students' reactions to them so I can modify them for the next year.     The 3rd and 4th grade lessons are very similar.  I got the ideas from a message board on ASCA scene and made my own powerpoint.  These would be great for a Promethean or Smart board, but I don't have either, so I will just use a PowerPoint.  I attached the lesson plan AND power point for each one.

Third Grade....Counselors are like Beach Bums (which is fitting, because I am a beach/pool bum in the summer)

and the third grade powerpoint...


Other Introduction lessons I'm using:
Kindergarten
1st & 2nd
4th
5th & 6th

School Counselor Classroom Introductions: 1st and 2nd

In my previous post, I discussed the importance of creating lessons to introduce myself as the school counselor at my school.  Since it is my first year and first time doing this, my first and second grade lessons will be very similar (the only difference is that I will read 2 different storybird books).  However, next year, I will change the second grade lesson up a bit so that the first graders will not know what to expect.

Marissa has several into lessons listed on her page.  I was intrigued by Storybird, so I did some research and I love it!  I cannot wait to start creating my own books. This year, I am using the books she suggested.  They are listed below.

For my first grade lesson, I will use What is an Elementary School Counselor by Thiggins.


For my second grade lesson, I will use The School Counselor by Michelle Rollins on Storybird.


What 1st and 2nd grade introduction lessons are you using with your students this year?

Other Introduction lessons I am using:
Kindergarten
3rd
4th
5th & 6th

School Counselor Classroom Introductions: Kindergarten

I believe it is important early on to establish a presence in your school, as well as explain to teachers and students the purpose of a school counselor and when/how to meet with her.

I have scoured websites, Pinterest, and blogs and have included my classroom introduction ideas.  I want each grade level to be different and have their own powerpoint and activity.  My school has 2 teachers per grade level (K-6).  I will spend the first couple of days walking around the hallway, cafeteria, and classrooms introducing myself.  I am planning on meeting with each class during the first week to present the following lessons.  Like I mentioned in my previous post, I plan on making a video like Marissa that I will include with every presentation.

The next 7 posts will be my lessons for each grade level.  Today I will start with Kindergarten. (I found this adorable lesson on ASCA scene, which is a part of the ASCA website for members.  It is a great resource for collaborating with other school counseling professionals.)

Mr. Potato Head Lesson (attached)

I am so excited to try this lesson out.  I would love to hear from you.  What will you do for your kindergarten introductions?  Do you do the Mr. Potato Head lesson?  What modifications have you made?

Other Introduction Lessons I am using:
1st & 2nd
3rd
4th
5th & 6th

Beginning Organization & sneak peak of my room

UPDATE: Here is my new and improved room. So excited to have it (mostly) finished.

I have so much work a head of me.  I am blessed with a counseling office (photos to come later) and a big, beautiful classroom. The classroom, however, needs a lot of work to make it a functional and fun counseling room (and add my personality to it).  The counselor before used it for sessions and peer mediation, but did not really do anything to change the look of it. I have been inspired by a lot of blogs.  My absolute favorite space is THIS.  She has my dream room.  I love all of her organization materials and the way everything is set up.  I also love the video that Marissa made and plan on making my own to introduce the new room.  She also has some great organization stuff that I have been eyeing.

It is such a big space, but I am excited with the challenge of it.  Right now it is a bit drab.  My husband describes it as a "doctor's office," so I definitely want to change that.  We are waiting on confirmation on whether or not I can paint over the mural.  If I can...YAY! If I can't, then we will just cover it with fabric.  As you can see, my school was built in the 60s and still has chalkboards and cork boards.  It used to be the math & science room...so there are a ton of math and science stuff that are going to be removed.

You can see my science man in the back corner.  I am getting a screen and projector so I can use video clips and technology during my guidance lessons.  I am also getting rid of the tables and adding rectangular ones around the guidance space (which I will get a carpet for).

Just drab.

Love that I have 2 sinks and an eye wash.  Just what I always wanted. ;) haha

Lots of science materials to be removed.

I added labels to my file cabinets to organize my guidance lessons by grade level

Top: Before...all of my materials that were left.  There was just SO MUCH, I was overwhelmed.  

Bottom: After... I organized all the books and materials by subject and got rid of more than half of the materials.  I still have more to get rid of, but I will see what I use and don't this year. I wanted to have more than enough than regret getting rid of stuff.

So that is my first step in organizing my room.  I will be using the bottom shelves for counseling materials.  The bottom cabinets have a lot of games (most are from the 70s).  I need to invest in some more up to date counseling games. 

I love the amount of space I have, but I am ready to make it more colorful and exciting.  I will post more photos as I make progress.  

Update: I uploaded some more pictures of my classroom here.