Classroom Guidance Lessons

 

Frequent visits to kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms for conversation and social/emotional lessons give me a chance to interact with every student.  Lessons typically last 30 minutes, and cover topics such as understanding feelings of self and others, problem solving  and friendship skills, careers, and more.

 

In the primary grades we utilize the Zones of Regulation curriculum. Zones is a systematic, cognitive behavior approach that teaches self-regulation by categorizing the different ways we feel and states of alertness we experience into four concrete zones.  The Zones curriculum provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of, and independent in, controlling their emotions and impulses, managing their sensory needs, and improving their ability to problem solve conflicts. The Zones of Regulation also incorporates Social Thinking® concepts and numerous visuals to teach students to identify their feelings/level of alertness, understand how their behavior impacts those around them, and learn what tools they can use to manage their feelings and states.  Kids discuss these feelings/emotions and when they may feel this way. As the program continues students learn how to cope with these feelings. 

 

Green Zone- Happy, Content, Ready to Learn 
Blue Zone- Sad, Depressed, Sick 
Yellow Zone- frustration, anxiety, nervous, silly 
Red Zone- Angry, Aggressive

 

Small Group Counseling

 

A variety of small groups are offered to students who may benefit from spending some extra time developing academic, social, or emotional skills along with their peers, and to students who are coping with similar life situations.  Groups can have anywhere from 3-5 members and usually meet once a week during lunch for several weeks.

 

Individual Counseling

 

Some students can benefit from one-on-one counseling regarding academic, social, or emotional challenges. I also work closely with outside therapeutic clinicians for students in need of more support. 
This year our faculty has been exploring topics around Restorative Justice practices which emphasize the importance of positive relationships and restoring these relationships when harm has occurred. Restorative practices have been shown to decrease behavior issues, discipline referrals and bullying, and improvement in overall school climate and culture.