Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year!

Happy August!  We have completed our second full week of school and we are off to a great start!  We have a few changes for this year.  I am working with third, fourth, and fifth grade this year and Mrs. Bagby will work with Kindergarten, first, and second grade.

My fourth grade counselor lessons have really been fun.  We are focusing on getting to know you activities and how we can be 'AWESOME' this year.

As you probably know, Kid President's videos are powerful, fun, and meaningful.  I began my lesson by showing Kid President's Pep Talk.

He begins by telling us that we all need a pep talk and proceeds to tell us how to be 'AWESOME!'  After this short video, we did an activity that I adapted from Stephen Wolfe on Teachers Pay Teachers.  You can access it here.  

While the students were working on answering these questions, I asked them to complete my parking lot. 

I love their answers!  Of course, some of their suggestions, like 'Have longer lunch,' 'Give us money,' and 'Serve us cake,' were silly.  Most of their responses, however, were serious.  Students asked us to listen to them, help them with math, help them with their problems, teach more reading and writing, and add an extra library so that they can have more books.  I hung these signs in the staff lounge so that our staff members can see the wonderful ideas that our students have.  I also feel that most of their answers affirm what we already know...Kids needs us and they love learning.  Have a great week!

I'll see you in August!

Field Trip to Nelson-Atkins Musem

I had SO MUCH FUN during the field trip with fifth grade to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.

Thank you to our hosts for our tours, individual classes, and opportunities to learn more about art.

We all Make Mistakes! And it's OK!

As the school year continues and the students continue getting to know each other, it's important to remember that NOBODY IS PERFECT!  We all make mistakes, we all goof up, and IT'S OK!

I began my last lesson by showing the students a video from Kid President (The kids LOVE Kid President!).  He talks about wanting to be an inventor and failing during his attempts.  One of his best lines is:  "It's ok to make mistakes, but it's not ok to stop trying."

I then give them the following paper and ask them to 'fix my mistake.'

As you can see, the kids were very clever with their creations.

Have a great week!  And remember...Nobody is perfect and we have NO right to point out flaws and mistakes when we see them in others.

Your friend,
Mrs. Muller

Happy 2015!

Happy 2015!  Well...technically, I'm a month late with that greeting; however, 2015 is off to a wonderful start at Gracemor Elementary!  Even though it's already February, we are still working on our goal setting/New Year's resolutions during our counselor lessons.

I found a wonderful resource by Zanah McCauley on Teachers Pay Teachers (click here).  This fabulous freebie is a twelve page booklet of activities to use with students.  I chose six pages to use as a booklet for my lessons.

Of course, the favorite part of this activity for the students was the coloring.

The students were first asked to take a look back at 2014 and reflect on a few important things...their favorite moment, their favorite book, a new friend made, and the best lesson learned.

The next page consisted of their telling all about themselves in 2015.  They enjoyed this part of the activity SO MUCH!

Finally, we focused on goals and resolutions for the New Year.  This student said that she's going to work on: changing her attitude, improving her reading level, making new friends, and becoming good at fractions.

They also completed this page where they were asked to identify two new skills to learn, 'zero in' on one thing they'd like to change, state one wish, and list five things to be thankful for.

Finally, they put it all together and do a short writing piece on their resolutions.  I told them that goal setting is important both at school and at home.

Our fourth and fifth grade students worked so hard on this packet and I am very proud of their work!   I love this resource and I'm so glad that Zanah has it as a freebie on Teachers pay Teachers!
Have a great week!

Mrs. Muller

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

I discovered another wonderful new book this year, Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and lay the foundation for the loving story.  

This book tells the story of Lucy and Ralph.  Lucy is a unique little girl who likes different foods, like toast smeared with ketchup and spaghetti in a hot dog bun.  As a result, Ralph singles her out and teases her.  Lucy's Papa Gino reminds her that everyone has a heart with feelings, but Lucy isn't so sure.  The bullying continues until Ralph has trouble at recess one day.  Will Lucy help him?  Grab this beautifully illustrated book to find out!

The author, Maria Dismondy, has a wonderful Website that has numerous activities which can be used for lessons and enrichment. 

I used two of her activities during my counselor lessons.

For this activity, students are asked to write about a time that they showed courage.  Since writing is an academic focus, it is important for students to practice this skill whenever possible.  

Students were also given the attached bookmark to color.  Since counselor lesson is right after library check-out, these bookmarks can be immediately used.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Muller

Play 60!

Look who came to Gracemor yesterday!  That's right...KC Wolf, mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs!!

Mr. Hummel worked so hard arranging for our school to be a 'Play 60' school.  Remember...try to play for SIXTY minutes every day, and I don't mean video games!  You should aim for at least sixty minutes of physical activity everyday!  More information can be found on the NFL Play 60 Website.

Have a great week!  Happy 2015!

Mrs. Muller

Safe Touch

During the next two weeks, I will be discussing a very serious topic with our students:  Good Touch/Bad Touch.  Without being too specific, I teach the students that our private parts are any areas that are covered by a swim suit.  

Our school district purchased 'Healthy Touch, Good Boundaries, Safe Kids,' for every school.  This video discusses the concept of private areas, as well as solutions in case students are ever touched inappropriately.

The basic 'gist' of the lesson is that students should:

   

SAY NO!

THEN GO!

AND TELL!

I encourage students to identify an adult who they trust that they can share sensitive information with.      After our discussion, I share certain pages of the VIP Coloring Book to further our discussion.

While this may be a sensitive subject to discuss, we all have a duty to make sure that our students are safe.  My students know that I take their safety VERY seriously and I strive to be a trusted adult in their lives, hopefully someone with whom they feel comfortable sharing good (and bad) news with.

Have a great week!
Mrs. Muller

My Mouth is a Volcano!

Younger elementary students often have trouble with interrupting and 'keeping their words in.'  Let's face it, adults can also have this same problem at times...wink, wink...

I recently read My Mouth is a Volcano by Julia Cook with my second grade students.  Ms. Cook is a former elementary school counselor who became a well-known and talented children's book author.  More information about her can be found HERE!

I begin my lesson by reading My Mouth is a Volcano and throughout we discuss different times that Louis has trouble has trouble with self-control.

After we read, we discuss several 'solutions,' or things that the students can do, to 'keep their words in.'  I found a page from TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS that focuses on this lesson.

This student suggested holding it in, waiting your turn, and rolling up your tongue.

This student said that it's a good idea to hold her breath, count to 30, or put her hand over her mouth.

I personally struggle with not interrupting at times, and I might try some of the students' ideas myself.  

Have a great week!

Mrs. Muller

Bad Case of Stripes!

If you've read my earlier posts, you know that I'm a HUGE fan of A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon.  This books talks about the importance of 'being who you are,' despite what others may think of you.  Camilla Cream LOVES lima beans, but she is afraid that she will be made fun of by her peers.  She develops A BAD CASE OF STRIPES that is only cured by eating lima beans.  While admitting that she likes lima beans doesn't appear to be that important, many of our students are afraid to share their hopes, dreams, and fears.

I begin the lesson by showing the students a video of this book on Storyline Online.  Sean Astin does a wonderful reading of the story.  After class discussion, the students made a class book about their own BAD CASE OF STRIPES.  The templates for this lesson can be found for free on Teachers pay Teachers

I am very impressed with their artwork.  It is obvious that they love this book as much as I do.

Have a great week!
Mrs. Muller

Happy Veteran's Day!

The Hy Vee at North Oak and Englewood contacted our school, asking us to help them with their Veteran's Day celebration.  They offer free breakfast to all veterans on this special day and we were invited to make a banner and cards to share.

Mrs. Bier and Mrs. Koester created our banner and Ms. Johnson had students and staff sign it.

I am very proud of our Gracemor family as we support our veterans!

The Boy Who Grew Flowers

Oh my goodness!  I discovered the best book, The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jen Wojtowicz!

This lovely book tells the story of Rink, a boy who grows flowers on his body during every full moon.  He is ostracized by his peers and he often feels lonely.  A young lady named Angelina arrives at school and she also has a 'handicap.'  One of her legs is shorter than the other.  This 'flaw' makes her self-conscious and she does not want to go to the upcoming school dance.  Rink and Angelina form an unlikely friendship with greatly impacts each of them.  The simple message of the book is that we all have flaws and that we need to accept each other, NO MATTER WHAT!

After a great class discussion about The Boy Who Grew Flowers, students were reminded that they can find joy in helping others, much like Rink finds in helping Angelina.  They were asked to do self-portraits of themselves with their own flowers.  I love their artwork!!

This book was a wonderful addition to my lesson library and I definitely plan to use it again.  
Have a great week!
Mrs. Muller

I Like Myself!!

I continued guidance lessons with second grade this week and we have had a wonderful time together.  Our focus for this week has been self-esteem and the students' 'uniqueness.'  I began the lesson by reading I Like Myself, which is written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by David Catrow (Ms. R's favorite illustrator!).  This rhyming book engages students and helps them realize that we are ALL wonderful, even if we have flaws.  They are encouraged to 'like' themselves too.  After reading, students were given a template of a flower and asked to identify FIVE traits about themselves that they like.  

I showed them my example and asked them to create their own.  This student likes his family, reading, baseball, jumping on trampolines, and dancing.

This student told us that he likes reading, writing, and art; kittens; I Spy and Sea Life books; and soccer.

After labeling, coloring, and cutting, each student was given a 'stem' cut from dark green construction paper.  I borrowed this lesson from Professional School Counseling.  I loved this activity and I plan to use it with first grade when I see them.

Have a great week!

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!

Hello, Gracemor Families!

We hope you and your family had a happy and safe summer and are now in the swing of things with school.  This year, Gracemor Elementary will again have two counselors.  Kirsten Muller is one of our Elementary Counselors.  She also serves as an e-Campus instructor. She has grades 2, 4, and 5. Jennifer Bagby is the other counselor at Gracemor and she has grades K, 1, and 3.

As the Gracemor Counselors, we will structure our day within the frameworks of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program.  The program provides four basic program components:  Guidance Curriculum (K-5 – weekly classroom counseling lessons), Individual Student Planning (assessment, academic assistance, behavior plans, etc.), Responsive Services (small groups, individual counseling, crisis counseling, etc.), and System Support (in-services, program management, program evaluation, parent, faculty and building support).

The curriculum is divided into three content areas: Personal and Social Development, Academic Development and Career Development.  The Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program, the district curriculum, and other materials will be used for classroom and small group presentations with students.   Some of the topics discussed during groups will be: Self Awareness, Decision Making, Feelings, Social Skills, Careers, Study Skills and more.  The Gracemor Counseling Program will also support the school-wide Positive Behavior Support Program.

We are looking forward to having a great year and hope to meet many of you in the near future.  If we can be of assistance to you, please contact my counseling office at 816-413-6484.

Keep Your Friends!

For the primary grades, our focus has shifted to personal and social skills and interactions with friends.  Younger children can have so much difficulty getting along with their peers.  To help them better understand the skills necessary to make and keep friends, I read a wonderful book by Nancy Carlson, How to Lose All Your Friends.

This book's author uses humor to let kids know the way that they should be treating others.  Bullies, tattletales, and grouches are going to have a hard time making and keeping friends in the future.

After reading the book, the kids were asked to complete graphic organizers, identifying ways to make and keep a friend.

This student said being kind, loving, and nice are ways to maintain friendships.  She also said that kids shouldn't bully, call names, or say, "I hate you."

This student suggested being nice, kind, and honest.  She also states that kids shouldn't be grouchy or mean.  They also shouldn't whine or keep all of the cookies to themselves.

Careers, Careers, Careers!

Our counselor activities have continued to focus on careers through the month of February. During my last lesson, I read How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky with first and second grade classes.

This book tells the story of how Santa (Yes, that's his real first name!) became the jolly man that we know today.  He had to try many different jobs before he found the one that was perfect for him.  He was a chimney sweep, mailman, waiter, zoo keeper, and circus worker before he was hired by the elves to deliver the toys that they make.  This wonderful story illustrates how, as adults, we often have to try many, many different jobs until we find the perfect fit (if we're lucky!).

Next, students were asked to identify what job they would like to have when they're adults.  I borrowed  an activity from a fellow counselor (Thank you, KR!) and asked the children to complete the statement and illustrate what they want to do when they're adults.

This student wants to be a truck driver.

This student wants to be a doctor.

I also encouraged the students to talk to their parents about the different jobs that they've had in their lives.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Muller