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.