March: I wanted to take a moment to share some insights from our Personal Safety Lessons in March. The students from K through 4 demonstrated a high degree of self control, sensitivity, and maturity while discussing such difficult topics. This may be a great time to dive deeper into what websites, games and apps your students are utilizing. Continuing these discussions between home and school will help to ensure our students are continuing to keep our school environment a safe and caring space for all.
April: April’s guidance lessons centered around our 5th Social and Emotional Competency of Responsible Decision Making. Responsible decision making is the ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. It also includes the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and a consideration of the well-being of oneself and others. Take a look below to see how each grade level discussed responsible decision making.
- Kindergarten explored responsible decision making by utilizing the Second Step problem solving steps (Say the problem, Think of solutions, Explore consequences, and Pick the best solution) and fair ways to play (sharing, trading, and taking turns).
- 1st Grade reviewed our February lesson of the Problem Solving Steps (Say the problem, Think of solutions, Explore consequences, and Pick the best solution). We then used these steps to practice assertiveness in making responsible decisions in regards to some common recess dilemmas.
- 2nd Grade learned more about decision making by focusing on being a “super student" through practicing staying on task. We explored different student habits to determine if they are positive student habits, distinguished between various school activities to decide if they are a wise use of time or considered a waste of time, and reflected on which habits we should work to increase or decrease.
- 3rd Grade discussed responsible decision making by exploring the process of decision making. We discussed the cause and effect relationship in decision making, consequences of our decisions, and how our emotions can impact our decision making.
- 4th Grade explored responsible decision making through discussions on ethical decision making. We learned more about what ethics are as well as discussed responsibility and how these concepts will be needed as students move onto fifth grade at a new school.
This last month of school, students are focusing on exploring their personal interests, possible future careers, and goal planning. Each grade level will be exploring these skills in the following ways:
- Kindergarten and 1st grade will explore interests which will help us figure out what careers we might like to have when we are older.
- 2nd grade will be taking career interest surveys and looking at different career options based on the interests revealed by their survey results. Finally, they’ll set a goal for next year.
- 3rd grade will take a look at a multiple intelligences survey and complete a graph. They will then get to match what type of “smart” they are with different career options.
- 4th grade will take an interest survey to see what potential careers match their interests. These interest surveys may also help students decide what clubs or activities they choose to join next year as part of their transition to fifth grade.
This month, as part of our transition to Troy School next year, we will be hosting some Troy students and counselors at each of our elementary schools. We will also take a field trip to Troy School. Both of these events are fun ways to get our fourth graders ready for the step up to fifth grade.
As we wrap up another wonderful school year, I’d like to thank all of our families for their continued support for the counseling curriculum and my services. It is truly a joy to work with so many grade levels, students, and families. I wish you all a very resting and relaxing summer!
Mrs. Tina Edwards
tina.edwards@alcsoh.org
School Counselor
Eastview/Westview Elementary
