tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17965440658061683322024-03-04T22:32:33.657-08:00A Fellow School CounselorHigh School Counseling from this dude's point of view!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-91897647243033837822015-11-16T18:41:00.000-08:002015-11-16T18:44:25.076-08:00A hen in the hand...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I had the ABSOLUTE pleasure of attending ISCA Annual Conference last week. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>{ISCA= Indiana School Counselor Association}</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was AMAZING! Not only did I attend, and partake in some pretty great sessions- I also presented on Technology! I used a prezi.com that you can find here:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://prezi.com/bbpwudgojq_z/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share">http://prezi.com/bbpwudgojq_z/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share</a></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has some pretty good techy things that have made my life easier. </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition, I met the fantastic Sarah Altman (ISCA President) and Kelly Johnson, Communications Chair for ISCA ... (and you can find her at <a href="http://kellycounselor.com/">kellycounselor.com</a>). I was asked to be on the Communications Team and I am SUPER excited!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a last note- isn't it funny how no matter the AMAZING work we do, something, someone, some situation always brings it down?!?! No matter being all caught up, nominated for School Counselor of the Year, have my schedules as caught up as can be, presenting at a State Conference- there's always someone who is unhappy. So friends- HANG IN THERE! I want you to know I appreciate EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Short and to the point! I love you all!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay classy Counselors ;)</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">JW</span></b></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-55766662236873904532015-01-22T19:07:00.000-08:002015-01-22T19:09:15.776-08:00Back and Better Than Ever!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow it feels SOOO good to be back :) I am not sure what caused my 5 month hiatus... but the weirdest thing kept happening- I kept getting notifications from Pinterest, Facebook, and Blogger that I had new page views, new followers, and new likes! I would like to say THANK YOU to all who came aboard and stayed aboard even while I was napping on the bridge... ship's bridge... not an actual "over water" bridge...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyways...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So obviously a lot has happened in the past few months including I started my new position as a HIGH SCHOOL counselor. Now some of you may have started following because I was an <i>Elementary</i> School Counselor. Well, I was. Sorry... But I am the SAME counselor, just in a different role. I still have great ideas- I just implement them with teenagers :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also the blog got a fresh new look. I thought something a little more current would help get me back into it! I still have my Mr. Potato Heads, don't worry... they just help in a different role!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the next few months I will get you caught up to what's been going on, including Senior interviews, Freshman orientation, testing (boo), Middle School & 8th grade transitions, scheduling, and more. But, this post is just to get me back in the swing and reassure everyone I am back for good lol. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do want to take a moment and complete something I started in July and that is a tour of my office. You may remember a post I did in July that showed some before pictures (you can find it <a href="http://afellowschoolcounselor.blogspot.com/2014/07/exciting-week.html" target="_blank">here</a>) but I'll refresh your memory...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a before shot looking into my office</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SP6qguw_7YY3MKQxxtuN_h2iGadh-G_FyI7JGvLtbII2UYeZvQ_fSmKq4uLgc13uwxHLGF8S3VRt82PHsq6-dvm9AzhZVTf3WNZNcH8gdz4PBwr6jpIuph_EVES7PWSplMnSdYzTi7U/s1600/Office+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SP6qguw_7YY3MKQxxtuN_h2iGadh-G_FyI7JGvLtbII2UYeZvQ_fSmKq4uLgc13uwxHLGF8S3VRt82PHsq6-dvm9AzhZVTf3WNZNcH8gdz4PBwr6jpIuph_EVES7PWSplMnSdYzTi7U/s1600/Office+1.jpg" height="296" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was very bare-bones and cold... not very inviting</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7-942sFiapXmhL7gUDsyLwoheS1JIjUyrbJACXAoBf5MKvwzGk88kQ7LWealV1wum52EMiyXEUw51BRxDTHNQ3aAFd-es2ck71i8JkhxE2vNdgjyuSn6ktDWvnrGiVZkUlR4A0uQ-0M/s1600/Office+1a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7-942sFiapXmhL7gUDsyLwoheS1JIjUyrbJACXAoBf5MKvwzGk88kQ7LWealV1wum52EMiyXEUw51BRxDTHNQ3aAFd-es2ck71i8JkhxE2vNdgjyuSn6ktDWvnrGiVZkUlR4A0uQ-0M/s1600/Office+1a.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's looking in now :) over Christmas Break the Head of Maintenance was kind enough to patch the plaster and paint it a tan-ish color (better than the stark white!)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> You may notice some of the stuff and I want to show you it does not cost an arm and a leg to make your space apealing. The rug came from Menards and was like $29.00. An amazing buy on a public education salary. Also the chevron pictures came from Ikea and were about $5.00 for the set. The side table was one from one of my previous offices and was actually a dumpster find from Stein Mart about ten years ago!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOoBbP9TTkxz2gtnxmmnTPmUrFqWWsTd-tb9T5GUwRYSP_CAHijiEwwYov0oEBrnlyPa_MwOT7T-Ygh3_sBygdqJ5AhyphenhyphengMKiLMmPdDxmRSocHHNW0kCtI13osyp7DjbdAbZEeY8pleVs/s1600/Office+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOoBbP9TTkxz2gtnxmmnTPmUrFqWWsTd-tb9T5GUwRYSP_CAHijiEwwYov0oEBrnlyPa_MwOT7T-Ygh3_sBygdqJ5AhyphenhyphengMKiLMmPdDxmRSocHHNW0kCtI13osyp7DjbdAbZEeY8pleVs/s1600/Office+2.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the corner by the door- where people sit. The problem was people kept standing up and hitting their head on that bottom shelf :(</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxn8gkA5_EhyRAlmf15b1aI4f6j9QIqCGtRg2rMV3btePO0i-PSaqN8FQFx3XunE6euQ93CK6b-FYeJhktqRzTqGHU3N9IF4kfnrafRmeRe3xtiz_319VLwICSJ-OEk2WTQ45ZOfXW_o/s1600/Office+2a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxn8gkA5_EhyRAlmf15b1aI4f6j9QIqCGtRg2rMV3btePO0i-PSaqN8FQFx3XunE6euQ93CK6b-FYeJhktqRzTqGHU3N9IF4kfnrafRmeRe3xtiz_319VLwICSJ-OEk2WTQ45ZOfXW_o/s1600/Office+2a.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">SO, I took a couple of the shelves off and added- yep! my Mr. Potato Heads! And it's hilarious how many of my HIGH SCHOOL students and staff members love them :) </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The blue table came from my mom. Her typewritter sat on that table since I was a kid. I remember sitting at it in Elementary School typing reports! The lamp on the table my great grandpa lathed and the shade is half a globe one of my Elementary students and I made last year. The chairs kinda suck but they came with the office and don't look <i>too</i> horrible. And plus I don't have to sit in them!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxT4Ti_nF2DwANpALCREiSBfayMaP3hk86bI3tHafoiDB1S1IJxleHywZXd1Wkcs9TeLtwZwF5Z9wBV_vmUpIAYdvu1VQmQJYzSNrzA3N4W132gNq27vwbsQnh0kza8t_XMxY8jpR3D0/s1600/Office+3a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxT4Ti_nF2DwANpALCREiSBfayMaP3hk86bI3tHafoiDB1S1IJxleHywZXd1Wkcs9TeLtwZwF5Z9wBV_vmUpIAYdvu1VQmQJYzSNrzA3N4W132gNq27vwbsQnh0kza8t_XMxY8jpR3D0/s1600/Office+3a.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since I took a couple shelves down, I needed a bookshelf. This red beauty came from Ikea and was $25.00... and I LOVE it. Plus it helps since our School Colors are Red, White, and Blue!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzGV_hh1yPnIqVR2wr019KH7Po1ucaXb3NtTF5fSdSb0sct4s75bGsTIGdpwv8eoSfV4RY_2f3golKl8O8JUOoNjwHHT8moobANj2AT-cElcVTdeTQp_K4kL3QlmcK002CtskBDcF4U0/s1600/Office+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzGV_hh1yPnIqVR2wr019KH7Po1ucaXb3NtTF5fSdSb0sct4s75bGsTIGdpwv8eoSfV4RY_2f3golKl8O8JUOoNjwHHT8moobANj2AT-cElcVTdeTQp_K4kL3QlmcK002CtskBDcF4U0/s1600/Office+4.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is above my desk. The middle painting came from my dad's barn, the "A" is a wine cork holder from home that we were getting rid of, and the "Keep Calm" sign I found in an empty office at school LOL My wife got me the Integrity sign (Always do the RIGHT THING even when no one is watching) to remind me of my Elementary days)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that's it... my home away from home. And decorated and put together for fairly inexpensive. I think it is really important to create a space that is inviting, relaxing, and not <i>too</i> "officey". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you have any questions, as always you can email me/ Facebook me/ Tweet me/ etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more great things coming at AFellowSchoolCounselor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-87189955313871582692014-07-24T19:25:00.000-07:002014-07-24T19:25:45.731-07:00Exciting Week!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week has been mind-blowing! So here's a recap:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last Thursday: our family drove to Iowa to celebrate my sister's 40th Birthday :) She had an 80's theme party and it was fantastic! And what 80's party wouldn't be complete without a sweet 'stache...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH_Wgfts4-LHBsMuTtDL_fkVh18qjDKvHb2efHGYttfvJaQLs0gr-fJ3uJJRbSsjaupBRbmmovoFx4E1QybnwrnFM4dOEc7Hyz4U63w5XtEF7gsiOhn5UHYNL8n-MlJSoNPIOsvNLlOY/s1600/oh+my.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixH_Wgfts4-LHBsMuTtDL_fkVh18qjDKvHb2efHGYttfvJaQLs0gr-fJ3uJJRbSsjaupBRbmmovoFx4E1QybnwrnFM4dOEc7Hyz4U63w5XtEF7gsiOhn5UHYNL8n-MlJSoNPIOsvNLlOY/s1600/oh+my.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was hard shaving my goatee after having it for 11+ years... I (along with my wife) am now eagerly awaiting for it to GROW BACK</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We drove back from Iowa on Sunday night and stopped in our hometown and stayed with my parents (our future home if we didn't find something before our move!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Monday my wife had an interview and we stopped by my new school (my Alma Mater) to get my keys and some papers. Here are some pics of MY NEW OFFICE!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRLRMLs2YnOvHp0DhgFy0M4KZPFyW-_dLcNYH6irvjSqM_D6kHhxjtEkmNzdXt7rP0UCS5kID1a72ul7mY7vMccqj1dZAeqapda2INvKtJNbG83JcDM0A8coMeTG7XeAUK6XzvVtfXlM/s1600/Office+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRLRMLs2YnOvHp0DhgFy0M4KZPFyW-_dLcNYH6irvjSqM_D6kHhxjtEkmNzdXt7rP0UCS5kID1a72ul7mY7vMccqj1dZAeqapda2INvKtJNbG83JcDM0A8coMeTG7XeAUK6XzvVtfXlM/s1600/Office+1.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My desk and a bunch of junk lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMXIlztLhvdn-KFf3e4kFr4P5-xRJrzly6Jn4m_4iwnpob7gts8k8ZbsYhAEoqvpNecge0egiqWqZvwwMD2ozdJcM_U4NzMDqhJK6nU9Pe3XxhygrlwihjYv6ISdvzGKr1QKUhAurn_k/s1600/Office+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMXIlztLhvdn-KFf3e4kFr4P5-xRJrzly6Jn4m_4iwnpob7gts8k8ZbsYhAEoqvpNecge0egiqWqZvwwMD2ozdJcM_U4NzMDqhJK6nU9Pe3XxhygrlwihjYv6ISdvzGKr1QKUhAurn_k/s1600/Office+2.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a window!... that overlooks a hallway... and a door lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwheQIA-3h7jfwtu2DGoikHwe-_Nl3cI4-dPThAXRjp_6noEsDjuvsEua_3yokwM0mQIgu698LnqJVIkCm0U76leiVEvyKW0dNQSIGxJdgy-jJSqJmBrBYAVdTOzWl27m4mHilMqesbI0/s1600/Office+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwheQIA-3h7jfwtu2DGoikHwe-_Nl3cI4-dPThAXRjp_6noEsDjuvsEua_3yokwM0mQIgu698LnqJVIkCm0U76leiVEvyKW0dNQSIGxJdgy-jJSqJmBrBYAVdTOzWl27m4mHilMqesbI0/s1600/Office+3.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new office!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's quite a bit smaller... but designed for a different reason. I don't have to have a small-group table (we have a conference room). I don't have to have board games (well, they're highschoolers). I don't have to have Mr. Potato Heads (pssh forget that OF COURSE I DO!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Tuesday we hung out with my mother-in-law who, in our desperate house search, decided to be old school and bring a newspaper Classifieds... like, who reads THOSE anymore?! Well, turns out our future house was in it! After talking to the woman and having my dad go look at it (we had already left to come back home) we filled out the Application and got approved on Wednesday! So we have a house!!! (yea, we've never actually been inside of it and only seen a half dozen pics... but it's our new home!!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QixrcOg6r-2sOSKTAPj7FETzLJUlfPBwairE15N9UzpdxSSph13ZNkDqVHieXPlwB-oaV9DWVrVS__QPWSuQCL5JH9nbH4mBaOUrc_z6br9ix_0rU87t3aZySH4N7FvoAJ0msJZsNRs/s1600/home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QixrcOg6r-2sOSKTAPj7FETzLJUlfPBwairE15N9UzpdxSSph13ZNkDqVHieXPlwB-oaV9DWVrVS__QPWSuQCL5JH9nbH4mBaOUrc_z6br9ix_0rU87t3aZySH4N7FvoAJ0msJZsNRs/s1600/home.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tonight I went out and celebrated with my former Elementary Counseling Team. Two of them left after the 2012-2013 year, leaving me and the Social Worker and two new kids on the block. But we've stayed in touch and I couldn't ask for a better Elementary team! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IP3TDVHO0dIpU-RBlOfZeNT0XJqvkuskn58HNkHFV-_EwcOiK8u3KC4i8Sbs1g_xtGYBfD7C_6m-2eesJhjCLwSHaabbh66XFtTbDupMPrZ7YoY9gifaNIJKvm-AvxK-kkt9ieoezow/s1600/Team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IP3TDVHO0dIpU-RBlOfZeNT0XJqvkuskn58HNkHFV-_EwcOiK8u3KC4i8Sbs1g_xtGYBfD7C_6m-2eesJhjCLwSHaabbh66XFtTbDupMPrZ7YoY9gifaNIJKvm-AvxK-kkt9ieoezow/s1600/Team.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look familiar? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If that pic looks familiar, check out this picture from my post last July titled <a href="http://afellowschoolcounselor.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-lone-ranger.html" target="_blank">The Lone Ranger</a> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFvJ37dkNPZvkWKIp6YXT1Ptry0X7uR_7OkR9SloVy8z7BjxLQG7_pSrMzMUD1TmqLvK6exGr1xyxZefPRz-h7DM4xC0M-QuetrCl7et1IX0BXhyphenhyphenqXQ9Wq7MNk8UUpposz02Z9JU95Zo/s1600/team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFvJ37dkNPZvkWKIp6YXT1Ptry0X7uR_7OkR9SloVy8z7BjxLQG7_pSrMzMUD1TmqLvK6exGr1xyxZefPRz-h7DM4xC0M-QuetrCl7et1IX0BXhyphenhyphenqXQ9Wq7MNk8UUpposz02Z9JU95Zo/s1600/team.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha not much changed :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So today is Thursday. Next Tuesday and Wednesday we are moving and the following Monday (the 4th) is my first day!!! The HS Counselors work 5 days before school starts, to give us time for registration, class changes, etc. So I will be blogging pics of my office (once it's done) and to talk about how my first day went :) Plus I'll be changing my blog around a little to fit the new level so Stay tuned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-1733791279002959072014-07-09T20:59:00.001-07:002014-07-09T20:59:48.574-07:00A BIG change is comin!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I've heard about certain roads being paved with good intentions... But honestly these last few months have been CRAZY! There's a lot that's gone on that frankly I won't get into- but all I will say is God gives us these opportunities of growth for a reason.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two years ago we left our hometown of 25+ years for a new town, new church, and new friends 120 miles away (basically from the W coast of Indiana to the E coast of Indiana). I had just graduated Grad School and accepted the Elementary position. It took a lot to leave our family but we knew things were happening for a reason. This has been a fantastic two years with the kiddos and I am so glad to have gotten to influence so many lives. Moving to this town strengthened our marriage, our Faith, and our independence. We had to depend on each other because honestly we didn't have anyone else. It's been hard... But it was SOOO worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, like with all things, God kept working and yesterday I was offered a position BACK IN OUR HOMETOWN!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And it's a High School counseling position! YIKES! But I am so excited for this opportunity to be closer to family and to rebuild some friendships that got put aside when we moved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So what does that mean for this Blog? Not a lot. I want to keep blogging. I am still me. I'll still make fun signs and use Google Docs and have crazy-kid stories (only now the crazy kids will be older)! I am excited to see kids reaching their goals with graduation and I know it will be a rewarding transition. I'll probably change some pics and the tag line but I still like the networking that blogging gives! I'm still A Fellow School Counselor!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here's my question for you... What should I know? What should I read/ learn first? Transitioning to HS is big and I want your input! I plan on blogging throughout the whole transition and I hope you come along on the ride with me :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So hold on to your butts! Here we go!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-77019900435840863152014-04-16T18:58:00.000-07:002014-04-16T18:59:58.654-07:00It's the little things that count!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So today was my first day back after taking some time off for my daughters birth. And after taking some days to get some rest and relaxation... Rest and relaxation... Wait, what?? Oh yea, I forgot, I have a 5 day old daughter- so rest and relaxation are OUTTA HERE. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyways, while I was off I scrolled a lot through Pinterest and realized there was quite a bit I had pinned over the past two years and had never actually had time to implement. So today with my caffeine-induced energy, I did them! Simple little touches that my students were ALREADY intrigued with. And they cost NOTHING.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first thing was a quote area. I've seen pictures of offices that have walls covered in quotes and I have some but I wanted them to be visible to ALL the students- not just those in my office. So today I borrowed one of the small dry erase boards I use for my small groups and attached it to the wall next to my door in the hall. Made a sign for above and am going to write an inspirational quote on it everyday.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgAOmWc4XBn_eev0NRsx4K3TVNwmQr9ynGtKYtXOdNMVwXrIFpB4Rymtiu1eYmYrKjqj1qumxwcjQM9grtjRx7UjaE3sj75-dX6rJCX8HXFjrHpw6wZBsX_diI1sY1vp4CyTUhlKEZZ8/s640/blogger-image-841803862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgAOmWc4XBn_eev0NRsx4K3TVNwmQr9ynGtKYtXOdNMVwXrIFpB4Rymtiu1eYmYrKjqj1qumxwcjQM9grtjRx7UjaE3sj75-dX6rJCX8HXFjrHpw6wZBsX_diI1sY1vp4CyTUhlKEZZ8/s640/blogger-image-841803862.jpg"></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Already sitting in my office I could hear students talking about the quote. I'm sure it won't effect 100% of my students. But hey, even if we change ONE child we have done our job!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other thing I had seen on Pinterest was where a teacher had taken black so construction paper and made handprints. They were attached by her door and she would write vocab words on them everyday. Then, when the kids walked out of her room, they would "high-five" the hands and say the word. Well I thought- how powerful is a high-five?? So my small group made handprints and discussed how were all different but all the same. My handprint looked like this:</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hung it by my door walking out of my office.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously, as we all know, there are some kids that just need a little bit of attention. Just some affection or encouragement goes a long way. I want them to walk out thinking that no matter how their day was or what's happening at home or whatever- that they still have the power to be AMAZING!</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These little things are so important in the eyes of a kid. A positive word. And fun "high-five". And someone who cares enough to provide them! What have you done to encourage one another??</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-37184610165386203702014-04-11T19:31:00.002-07:002014-04-11T19:39:20.390-07:00It happens to the best of us...We all do it. We all have a situation come up..., a plan, a goal, a strategy- call it whatever you want to. We all, at some point in life, have a commitment we have set... And then we stumble. Maybe we don't "crash and burn" but we forget and then think "why bother".<br>
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Maybe it's keeping track of personal counseling student records. And we forget to write down who we saw or what we talked about. And then tomorrow we let it slide because "well, I didn't write down yesterday's". And then how long do we go before we finally say "okay! I have GOT to write these down!"<br>
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Or maybe it's organizing that lesson we need to take care of. Who cares if it's a week late... Or two. Or three. No one <i>really</i> notices.<br>
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Or what about that drawer (come on - you know you have <i>that</i> drawer). The one you throw papers in because you're going to file them tomorrow. Or the next day.<br>
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Well, it happens to all of us. So don't feel down if it happens to you. Because guess what... Last June I heard two AMAZING people speak at ASCA in Philadelphia about blogging. And I thought- I have a voice... I have concerns... I have ideas and Pinterest and cool lessons I do. I'm going to blog. And I'm going to blog every week.<br>
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And I did.<br>
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And then January happened. 11 snow days. Several delays. Family illnesses. Meetings. Clubs. Programs. More meetings. And I realized I forgot to write a blog post. But I have so many good ideas I want to blog about... I'll get to it next week. Then next week came and went and I thought... Well it's been this long. What does it really matter. Who really notices.<br>
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WE NOTICE! We are School Counselors and we notice. We care. We advocate for our jobs. We communicate. We do Professional Development. And we LOVE reading about new ideas and struggles and concerns and new ideas and office pictures and data. DATA!<br>
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So as I am sitting in the hospital because my beautiful baby girl was born yesterday... I open up Blogger and see my blog hit and exceeded 10,000 views. Exceeded it. And I was too busy thinking "who really cares".<br>
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Well, as I watch my little girl laying in her bassinet, I know who cares.<br>
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<span id="goog_231958935"></span><span id="goog_231958936"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOZmDStBChMHs-rjVFh0TPGadch6RRKcBKzX9qdtm6-jGeVyqCIagVxPIWHAMs9lWOi8q2t_Ei3rJnSp-JFzTZGB4Nk-xtT4t9RnuwnlEW-247sk8068cC6kx5z1j4M9ncl3zkzV75Oo/s640/blogger-image--1814442142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOZmDStBChMHs-rjVFh0TPGadch6RRKcBKzX9qdtm6-jGeVyqCIagVxPIWHAMs9lWOi8q2t_Ei3rJnSp-JFzTZGB4Nk-xtT4t9RnuwnlEW-247sk8068cC6kx5z1j4M9ncl3zkzV75Oo/s640/blogger-image--1814442142.jpg"></a></div><br>
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The people who are School Counselors. The ones who in six years will be counseling this future generation. And I LOVE IT!<br>
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So I will be blogging. Because that's who I am. I am A Fellow School Counselor. And I have ideas. And I fail. And I Pinterest. And I have students who I think "what else can I try". And how will I know if not for people like you reading this :)<br>
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So I sit here, on my iPad, and wanted to type out this message for all you reading this. For those of you who have messaged me and emailed me and commented on my Instagram pictures I say THANK YOU :) and I look forward to many more blogs to come!<br>
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-JWAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-54361086096675461752014-01-24T16:31:00.000-08:002014-01-24T16:31:46.704-08:00Teaching To Give Back...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A big part of what I believe students need to learn is how to give back... give back to their class, their school, their community, and to individuals they don't even know. I do this by participating in the Polar Plunge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So what is the Polar Plunge and how does it work?Basically, individuals raise money to help support the Special Olympics of Indiana and then to show our dedication, everyone jumps into the City's pool one-by-one. Sounds nice, right? A dip in the pool, mid August, with some iced tea... Well that would be nice. Except the Polar Plunge is February 15th!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, as many of you know, Indiana and parts of the Mid-west are being hit with some <i>cooler</i> weather... i.e. -9 degrees. I thoroughly enjoy the winter MUCH more than the summer (the coolness in the air, the snow, scarves, sweaters, red noses, etc.), but do I love it enough to go swimming in it... YOU BETCHA!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But... I need your help. The main purpose is not to just jump into some water. But to raise money! And you can't jump for free! So here is an opportunity to give back to individuals less fortunate than us. Isn't that what we're always trying to teach our students?? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you would like to contribute:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1). I need your prayers! Seriously, the water is COLD!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2). If you would like to give monetarily, you can click here and donate to Special Olympics Indiana via <i>my</i> fundraising page:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u><a href="http://bit.ly/2014PolarPlunge">http://bit.ly/2014PolarPlunge</a></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am also proud of my little girl for also wanting to <i>give back</i> to others. Her school is raising money for the American Heart Association and Jump Rope For Heart. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoR_nDTfNVqOmY9wO44-fYNkSFmvGuoC7Nir10jtM707Ze_KNRSjs6bAuDlrT286oHcT7hJZP8MJzw7FGJ5cgTlmy7d-7IDPSjt0mN_TQkosaYtzvrzfOXl0-pkYKxn9tesoOsd4exPA/s1600/AHA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoR_nDTfNVqOmY9wO44-fYNkSFmvGuoC7Nir10jtM707Ze_KNRSjs6bAuDlrT286oHcT7hJZP8MJzw7FGJ5cgTlmy7d-7IDPSjt0mN_TQkosaYtzvrzfOXl0-pkYKxn9tesoOsd4exPA/s1600/AHA.png" height="153" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It makes my heart swell at her caring for others and her drive to give to others. She is 5 and asked me if I would tell everyone on the Internet to donate to her school for "the little boy with a bad heart". If you would like to donate to her page, you can do so here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://bit.ly/AmHrtAssocKAllen">http://bit.ly/AmHrtAssocKAllen</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe you want to give in memory of a friend, family member, or student who has a Disability or Special Needs. Maybe your grandpa or aunt has heart disease or passed from heart failure. Maybe you and your partner want to forgo the roses and cheesy cards for Valentines Day and donate to a better cause :) Maybe you want to donate anonymously... Either way, would you help out and give back for a better cause? I hope you do!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-23561916208787937772014-01-22T19:10:00.000-08:002014-01-22T19:10:21.041-08:00Spoon Full Of Sweetness is... SWEET<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes, as an Elementary School Counselor, I see students and I think "yea, it's a little too late for them". When we have 6th graders shoving and yelling in the halls, it's hard to tell the 1st graders "hey, walk in a straight line quietly". We do what we learn and we learn what we see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So how amazing is it when you're contacted by an author and asked to review a book targeted at young kids focused on... MANNERS!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously, manners. It's term that we don't focus enough on! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bullying= check</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Study Skills= check</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manners= ???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, the fantastic <a href="http://www.mariadismondy.com/" target="_blank">Maria Dismondy</a> has written a new book called "<a href="http://www.mariadismondy.com/books/5/Spoonful-of-Sweetness/" target="_blank">Spoon Full Of Sweetness</a>" and it is truly sweet! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kMMgEtxVEZBzGCyvFR8qc55n46rIzV1q08FdfIMppgznTGpZnby8vylrwbxo2GZj_0oYOMbdadWmpbcPtyeGGnSbw7qWTzqmQOaZQaWdWp2Mpb5D1zJd5e0k3BNnfQk8mjQEJHeJmVw/s1600/Spoon+Full+Of+Sweetness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kMMgEtxVEZBzGCyvFR8qc55n46rIzV1q08FdfIMppgznTGpZnby8vylrwbxo2GZj_0oYOMbdadWmpbcPtyeGGnSbw7qWTzqmQOaZQaWdWp2Mpb5D1zJd5e0k3BNnfQk8mjQEJHeJmVw/s1600/Spoon+Full+Of+Sweetness.png" height="320" width="287" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now Maria Dismondy will sound familiar because she wrote "Pink Tiara Cookies For Three", "Spaghetti In A Hot Dog Bun", "The Juice Box Bully" and "The Potato Chip Champ". If you have not read these... Please do yourself a favor and DO IT! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my Elementary schools has a Pre-School built in and I was lucky enough to get to read the book to them and do a mini lesson (*spoilers*)... As well as my own 5 year old daughter (who is in Kindergarten) and my 3 year old son (who is also in Pre-School).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is what I loved:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- The Size: it's handheld... Not too small for little kids to see but not to big where it makes it awkward to hold. It is sturdy for little hands to hold and won't tear due to the materials.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- The Illustrations: Ronnie Rooney did a great job illustrating the book and really focusing on the manner being discussed. The bright pictures really kept my kiddos' attention and they seemed to understand what was going on in the picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- The Additional Resources: Maria's website offers a <a href="http://www.mariadismondy.com/uploads/docs/spoonfulcoloringpage.pdf" target="_blank">worksheet</a> and additional <a href="http://www.mariadismondy.com/uploads/docs/parent%20piece-spoonful.pdf" target="_blank">Parent/ Teacher resources</a> for her book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's what I don't love:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- That EVERY Counselor doesn't have a copy to read and share!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But just wait... I am excited to announce I am lucky enough to get to GIVE AWAY A FREE COPY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's what I want you to do:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~ Comment on THIS POST about how YOU could use this book in your school, home, or church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Then</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">~ Go my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AFellowSchoolCounselor" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and LIKE it and/or my <a href="https://twitter.com/thebigduke1985" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and FOLLOW ME. You have to do one of these two things plus COMMENT to be entered to win the drawing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Super easy! I will be checking and announcing the winner on Monday, January 27th 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are you waiting for- GO AND COMMENT/ LIKE/ FOLLOW!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-43393814959886627552014-01-17T12:07:00.001-08:002014-01-17T12:08:43.920-08:00How my Mother-In-Law helped brand my blog!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About 10 years ago, my then-soon-to-be-mother-in-law bought me a Mr. Potato Head as a joke. And it sat on our baker's rack in our Kitchen for the longest time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really liked it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So she bought me another... and another... and another. Soon I had over 20 Mr. Potato Heads in varying sizes, holiday garb, boys, girls, etc. And then I became a School Counselor. And I use these things ALL the time! Kindergarten through 6th LOVE to take them apart, put them together, make them Picasso, upside down, all arms, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And all of a sudden, after reading the SCCHATs, looking at ALL the fantastic School Counselor blogs, and looking at my own blog, I realized I had nothing that made my blog <i>me</i>. Nothing that branded it or made people realize what I am all about. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So this week I really focused on what I do, what I utilize, and what I believe it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And it's Mr. Potato Heads!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My entire "Intro Lesson" this year focused around Mr. Potato Heads. They're in both office, on shelves, in baskets, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I realized they're all different, with different features and different problems and all can go different ways. JUST LIKE OUR STUDENTS! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you don't have some, I encourage you to get a couple and try them out. Your kiddos with LOVE them. Even our Youth Pastor at our church has a TON of them in his office.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I hope you enjoy the new look :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-25075146224574146122014-01-07T07:37:00.002-08:002014-01-07T07:37:50.791-08:00BINDERS! ... but maybe too many?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, I love binders. When I started in my career at the beginning of last year, there were papers and lessons and worksheets ALL OVER THE PLACE. Plus with having two buildings, I had some stuff at one school and other stuff at the other school. I made it my mission to, by the end of the year, have a binder at each building labeled for each topic (Bullying, Harmony, Excellence, etc.). Whenever I get something new, I make two copies, put one at each building, and I am set.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQLyu-SfZ43jace8-8Pe5XKtjN56E0FKx0DPsv-vIXGdoWxCl6Ac7K9K4lPSR7HFNq113ZhFbVlbVQ2K-otz2LZsSOzSNGWRF55nYv3Lj-QgdfZkKpXfRmus1C8PiH2uRDwOjMHMbmLA/s1600/Binders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQLyu-SfZ43jace8-8Pe5XKtjN56E0FKx0DPsv-vIXGdoWxCl6Ac7K9K4lPSR7HFNq113ZhFbVlbVQ2K-otz2LZsSOzSNGWRF55nYv3Lj-QgdfZkKpXfRmus1C8PiH2uRDwOjMHMbmLA/s1600/Binders.JPG" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bottom shelf has my binders for lessons, character education, etc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also have others binders that were maybe a better idea when I first started... I have several binders at each building with tabs for different committee meetings, faculty meetings, Elementary counselor meetings, all-district counselor meetings, etc. And now what I have is a stack of papers at each building because I don't feel like finding the right tab and filing all these things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, in my attempt to become more paper-less, I have found this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz1eRrMMTkFGaez1oK3Jda-JR44aLqjNUYMvNGJZyhD0MRPiDXzgGvi037ES1lftlMCvhINgMIEeyhfWZJcmwVXBb57ydnCIdDcpCJDp9doB98EKmpuNFNc8cPNXiKjagR0R3_VeNcmo/s1600/Evernote.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz1eRrMMTkFGaez1oK3Jda-JR44aLqjNUYMvNGJZyhD0MRPiDXzgGvi037ES1lftlMCvhINgMIEeyhfWZJcmwVXBb57ydnCIdDcpCJDp9doB98EKmpuNFNc8cPNXiKjagR0R3_VeNcmo/s1600/Evernote.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, maybe you've heard of Evernote, maybe not. I had but had never looked into what it is. In a nutshell, Evernote is a note-taking program. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did I just lose you? Hang in there, seriously this can help you! Here's how...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Go t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">o </span><a href="https://evernote.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Evernote</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Create a FREE Account (now, you <i>can</i> make a Premium account, but come on, we work in Public Education- who has $$ for that? Go get it free!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- After that and after you log in, you will find this screen</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-edcV5zXOXTvgsBfvoaOAe55QUNmHe-tp-x0T2hV-bwEy12iaKC6u1TRrHwmXwVMzlaIkNFhXxrAZwNesYkyVdLpNuiiw1xVJ6JrB9izvkB-R-bqwjh19h5m0Y0W1sO4LCSWE3suySpk/s1600/Evernote+Screen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-edcV5zXOXTvgsBfvoaOAe55QUNmHe-tp-x0T2hV-bwEy12iaKC6u1TRrHwmXwVMzlaIkNFhXxrAZwNesYkyVdLpNuiiw1xVJ6JrB9izvkB-R-bqwjh19h5m0Y0W1sO4LCSWE3suySpk/s1600/Evernote+Screen.JPG" height="141" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just started using it, so yours will look a lot like mine!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now, if you're anything like me, you will have a LOT of different "hats" you wear... Luckily, Evernote can let you make as many "Notebooks" as you need to file your notes in.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo5ARLRyjdONmnlKXo8aNwRrn2VOvjj6jJ6gzgZNZTdtvtCTuLLslNv_cEFMOf62vBAH18sPCKJ1GuBKXFIsPImBdDASpraEAMeXWXegMzkz-rWwFk0y-SnXy-XmpOLwF8zgOYAu_N3k/s1600/Notebooks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXo5ARLRyjdONmnlKXo8aNwRrn2VOvjj6jJ6gzgZNZTdtvtCTuLLslNv_cEFMOf62vBAH18sPCKJ1GuBKXFIsPImBdDASpraEAMeXWXegMzkz-rWwFk0y-SnXy-XmpOLwF8zgOYAu_N3k/s1600/Notebooks.JPG" height="320" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are just a few of the meetings/ committees I attend</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So you have all these Notebooks, now what.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, on that main screen, it said "+ New Note"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Click it...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvfPVZ-oYOW465jYYsTMV0mPp6cfqcEXHaxsKaFgqndvpoJLYzblyq3sr4QQ6B5_Ty__V1iSJdD6j89ujMg2lC2J3wAnnXYu5SQtEHbdeIFr_UPq6DOEgngLTLsWc9VGsoMpW7SnELJQ/s1600/New+Note.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvfPVZ-oYOW465jYYsTMV0mPp6cfqcEXHaxsKaFgqndvpoJLYzblyq3sr4QQ6B5_Ty__V1iSJdD6j89ujMg2lC2J3wAnnXYu5SQtEHbdeIFr_UPq6DOEgngLTLsWc9VGsoMpW7SnELJQ/s1600/New+Note.JPG" height="177" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then you just start typing. I am making the "title" as the date. I don't need to put what the meeting is since I can select what Notebook it goes in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So you've taken some notes, GREAT! But then tomorrow, the meeting "recorder" emails or hard-copies the actual minutes from the meeting to you. Now you have to print those off and file them. Or make a special folder in your email which is already bogged down enough...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With Evernote, all you have to do is Attach that file to the note and delete it from your email/ computer. Evernote stores it!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWnOFK3Od9VN5KYt98v_t58DBKoDshO-v69fT2yBtFr_ezaazq92SoSzeS8z53LpQ2tj2zA4pnZg5Wq5B5v2dHiOW04SQM_17TAt3nLoL9zoFCuGTTwMut39Zz4ZzTgnyzsf0i4nLVgk/s1600/Attachment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWnOFK3Od9VN5KYt98v_t58DBKoDshO-v69fT2yBtFr_ezaazq92SoSzeS8z53LpQ2tj2zA4pnZg5Wq5B5v2dHiOW04SQM_17TAt3nLoL9zoFCuGTTwMut39Zz4ZzTgnyzsf0i4nLVgk/s1600/Attachment.JPG" height="158" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The good thing is also that the note automatically saves so you don't really have to worry about losing it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was lucky enough before Christmas Break to get to order an iPad Air and guess what... THERE'S AN APP! So you don't have to lug your laptop into a meeting. It's just as easy from the app.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So maybe this will work for you and maybe it won't. Maybe you have a better way of keeping notes. One of my New Year SMART Goals (coming in a later post) is to do a better job of keeping track of meeting notes/ data. Either way, do what works for you but please don't be afraid to try something new!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd love to hear how YOU do minutes/ meeting notes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-58300324795437293172013-12-26T12:34:00.001-08:002013-12-26T12:34:19.491-08:00Merry ChristmasFrom AFellowSchoolCounselor to all my fellow school counselors, friends, cohorts, and readers- I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I pray you all have a GLORIOUS New Year full of blessings and achievement! <div><br></div><div>-JW</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMetLmbcEUYEPuZLjHHAIUVLX9jwdMoQf7z4E5BEHwRYyxZu-dJFEwE9bVIW1KyWssMPl5l7u4LaPSFnotpbkDa_4pxXpzAZg0uaxnIPgzlXHUyyGZmcpjAl-LUGtrYES_Q1WF5yZRQGk/s640/blogger-image--835378321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMetLmbcEUYEPuZLjHHAIUVLX9jwdMoQf7z4E5BEHwRYyxZu-dJFEwE9bVIW1KyWssMPl5l7u4LaPSFnotpbkDa_4pxXpzAZg0uaxnIPgzlXHUyyGZmcpjAl-LUGtrYES_Q1WF5yZRQGk/s640/blogger-image--835378321.jpg"></a></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-85078324505561667362013-12-19T15:32:00.003-08:002013-12-19T15:32:54.857-08:00Where to put all these Board Games?!<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not sure if any of you have this same problem... but I am acquiring a large amount of board games and only have so much space to put them. At my Wildcat's school it's especially bad- I have one small bookshelf for student to pick off of and one large bookshelf with doors (that I keep all my counseling books, lessons, workbooks, etc.). I have asked for a bigger bookshelf to keep student activities on but have heard nothing... *chirp chirp*.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So I determined if I can't make the bookshelf bigger, I'll make the stuff <i>smaller... </i>Here's how:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I took a second to see where my games are.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5S14UzjL8nz9slCLwZQ5Xk0ICqKazNA66lMdwaurVBUcyGidAjn7IfIKRlTxUyfONxFQtY7Z7lgvU3S7YTZL6PcAtTYIEq8dUp4BvtlZnVWvTbwOrtPE5JsA-FKS2WETj_arDdPJcj8/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5S14UzjL8nz9slCLwZQ5Xk0ICqKazNA66lMdwaurVBUcyGidAjn7IfIKRlTxUyfONxFQtY7Z7lgvU3S7YTZL6PcAtTYIEq8dUp4BvtlZnVWvTbwOrtPE5JsA-FKS2WETj_arDdPJcj8/s320/IMG_3559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the majority of them (the ones students use most)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiH0V6HgHesvYrfeJOxGWMtIGMCbaEOtIl-_8aCeh_7afMsEVA31cxyCZ0Y60376ajE1gujAV6WVi-gpXrWFp2dIiPKNGLUErli8GVJcJwNk1tRjwMr0jU1Km7eGuBXySU9oUbB7GYkk/s1600/IMG_3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiH0V6HgHesvYrfeJOxGWMtIGMCbaEOtIl-_8aCeh_7afMsEVA31cxyCZ0Y60376ajE1gujAV6WVi-gpXrWFp2dIiPKNGLUErli8GVJcJwNk1tRjwMr0jU1Km7eGuBXySU9oUbB7GYkk/s320/IMG_3560.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some more tucked away in my bench seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Plus I have ordered four more and have some at my parents' house I was going to bring in. But I am running out of room. So here's what I did during my lunch today... I first assessed which games needed kept in boxes (Don't Break The Ice, Topple, Mancala, etc.) and set them aside. With the remaining games, I took ALL the pieces, boards, and instructions out of the boxes and cut the boxes down. I felt so <i>wrong</i> cutting a game's box :) But I knew it was for a good cause. I kept the top of the box (minus all the sides cut off) and one of the sides. I threw the bottoms and the scraps away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV627AeDEbnPKLKKjoxeT946bKKN9QTOCQ7ZcpX2DJY4N6gPzqEIyy2HN9-NA-nFz7n5ki0mUbnZdBQa9d3WuZyrC_3VuxH_2w7D2_9DbJ63wV_SQNDp0o-0xgGPIPdHwN-I4YH7eVtY/s1600/IMG_3561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicV627AeDEbnPKLKKjoxeT946bKKN9QTOCQ7ZcpX2DJY4N6gPzqEIyy2HN9-NA-nFz7n5ki0mUbnZdBQa9d3WuZyrC_3VuxH_2w7D2_9DbJ63wV_SQNDp0o-0xgGPIPdHwN-I4YH7eVtY/s320/IMG_3561.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the edge pieces I cut and kept.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I put all the pieces in small Ziploc Bags and put a piece of the edge (from the box) in the Ziploc with it. This way I would know for definite which pieces went with which game.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOja8gej8FnmJ_bOQvR8eBFswBba-nWqkydMMW5n_nl0CvgsZRiqbQ83j8w_kN5NiBlFk6qQADRwLsm7kHl2bDwazHeD4kWmtbFUl8lLpfjq4N9ROVm-st-HZBeV-atRrrHE79cj4u0Ds/s1600/IMG_3567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOja8gej8FnmJ_bOQvR8eBFswBba-nWqkydMMW5n_nl0CvgsZRiqbQ83j8w_kN5NiBlFk6qQADRwLsm7kHl2bDwazHeD4kWmtbFUl8lLpfjq4N9ROVm-st-HZBeV-atRrrHE79cj4u0Ds/s320/IMG_3567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chess and Checkers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">I only had Snack Sized Ziplocs so some of them had to be separated or clipped together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti99hpZxF56_y0jx77pEQot9cpCviYG478xrPk-UG0_AXNC33hEayrmmKVIBJHWzJvY7RgLuQFgt6G5nu98aIdiAQ7SZpAux4e2MHYYRKsQJUxXotyhFBzJK3DZUla0QNabpjS1bSj_w/s1600/IMG_3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiti99hpZxF56_y0jx77pEQot9cpCviYG478xrPk-UG0_AXNC33hEayrmmKVIBJHWzJvY7RgLuQFgt6G5nu98aIdiAQ7SZpAux4e2MHYYRKsQJUxXotyhFBzJK3DZUla0QNabpjS1bSj_w/s320/IMG_3566.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spinner was too big to go in the bag- I'm going to get some bigger Ziplocs to fix that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I put all the Ziplocs in a basket I had sitting around empty in my office.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCacOvdAAx_mis1nNUYD6AP0UZ-Bp2ygPOFQaIBmDpi5oQxcolZxAXwoIMPVmznUJ75C3QdldBN8kthta4m-0WS7UJhdtQHVhpKx_fhAOAAp4jO3k9I-S4SaDJpV3SxWzD_r7eXsGxO5Q/s1600/IMG_3568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCacOvdAAx_mis1nNUYD6AP0UZ-Bp2ygPOFQaIBmDpi5oQxcolZxAXwoIMPVmznUJ75C3QdldBN8kthta4m-0WS7UJhdtQHVhpKx_fhAOAAp4jO3k9I-S4SaDJpV3SxWzD_r7eXsGxO5Q/s320/IMG_3568.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However, I may need a bigger basket at some point :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">So then I took all the boards and stood them in an empty <i>thirty-one </i>organizer my wife bought me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7aPD324i4qS-yPFB47oUQ_hHrgFAoMbqIizr4hOegr7c-OaFNLT5850MJBSBrAEh7GuXFAI-PDPn9oUhTGlSchNCRixBitSr9hkUVHPSA5VYilaTs0xO-8ata38XZjxn0TQPoERaNpU/s1600/IMG_3569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7aPD324i4qS-yPFB47oUQ_hHrgFAoMbqIizr4hOegr7c-OaFNLT5850MJBSBrAEh7GuXFAI-PDPn9oUhTGlSchNCRixBitSr9hkUVHPSA5VYilaTs0xO-8ata38XZjxn0TQPoERaNpU/s320/IMG_3569.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a little too narrow so I may look around a see if I can find an empty milk crate or something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since some of the boards were black and easily mixed up, I put the top of the original box in front of it. I have a label maker and may label the boards instead of relying on the box's top... not sure yet...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxCLoOFl5u_wpHe83HVEqHNF2JQ1Ig63GSyDvFcQ7ftCP8TSRBCvmPf7P7LWMVfYU6845ziCQ_s7mRlQZQ0I6nXny1_sHifFZHSdhoYXhIgCBbGI3VoaosEm250-WChuJC_fy2SWVDeY/s1600/IMG_3570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxCLoOFl5u_wpHe83HVEqHNF2JQ1Ig63GSyDvFcQ7ftCP8TSRBCvmPf7P7LWMVfYU6845ziCQ_s7mRlQZQ0I6nXny1_sHifFZHSdhoYXhIgCBbGI3VoaosEm250-WChuJC_fy2SWVDeY/s320/IMG_3570.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I want to play... um... Chutes and Ladders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">So now I have all my "board games" sitting my my trunk (which is handy, since that is where my kids like to sit anyways)...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgZgwFepCS4JVMZl0PPPG9m3oxiP0l0MIX3PhmuoAUyJTjTyYrgP-r-93KgXxvy90kQYKkDaeYgxVm_A56fze-ORaK94Vbzl6JR2jZHAG3sqr73XdO2XLn1KzIocggAwLeGVWb__Uv6g/s1600/IMG_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgZgwFepCS4JVMZl0PPPG9m3oxiP0l0MIX3PhmuoAUyJTjTyYrgP-r-93KgXxvy90kQYKkDaeYgxVm_A56fze-ORaK94Vbzl6JR2jZHAG3sqr73XdO2XLn1KzIocggAwLeGVWb__Uv6g/s320/IMG_3571.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Plus it freed up a TON of space on my bookshelf and in my trunk!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZU3gZBsR7vAOmIfbhyphenhyphenvn5qFMhV61UGY2ST7v9E18A93Bs4OTtB8TuhLoUFBa1P3e7c4gtp4s6TcxnQ2bL8ZccgiZvIrpuao4y1AHypyjVDwxMSsyMQY76_RVCcGhiFrynp7YIijFFGQ/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZU3gZBsR7vAOmIfbhyphenhyphenvn5qFMhV61UGY2ST7v9E18A93Bs4OTtB8TuhLoUFBa1P3e7c4gtp4s6TcxnQ2bL8ZccgiZvIrpuao4y1AHypyjVDwxMSsyMQY76_RVCcGhiFrynp7YIijFFGQ/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some games stayed but a huge space is empty now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHdXm8Kou5rJDTfcp7FAhuBkqqMmq-kth2-LiUvvfHj-kf9jxK2vdZibcdBqhh6fTdNrVGZHDzO2nQg8O6VRUgvVvICtVlxsBFGWIcxezCtbW6d-2FigTOzSU9CS89zzL83WZr40oRJA/s1600/IMG_3573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHdXm8Kou5rJDTfcp7FAhuBkqqMmq-kth2-LiUvvfHj-kf9jxK2vdZibcdBqhh6fTdNrVGZHDzO2nQg8O6VRUgvVvICtVlxsBFGWIcxezCtbW6d-2FigTOzSU9CS89zzL83WZr40oRJA/s320/IMG_3573.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the instructions to the games are in the trunk in a file-folder in case we need them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga54Ibh4yJ2H29voagh5AmrLthBsEQHryQjkYrhix744OT6UeeExPle9fLkW4z5Qj35MIhJkLeYcCEd0uC1Sv4Nv36BFAJX_nDU5li1ExcdoT7VG0BYTGTGpYvQoWUvt9z4aNc85S-mB8/s1600/IMG_3574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga54Ibh4yJ2H29voagh5AmrLthBsEQHryQjkYrhix744OT6UeeExPle9fLkW4z5Qj35MIhJkLeYcCEd0uC1Sv4Nv36BFAJX_nDU5li1ExcdoT7VG0BYTGTGpYvQoWUvt9z4aNc85S-mB8/s320/IMG_3574.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Useless trash and space I don't need!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">So now I'm thinking I may do the same at my Falcons school... and maybe at home! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope this helps some of you clear out a little more space in your offices! Don't be afraid to take games <i>out</i> of the boxes... A lot of them had SOOO much wasted space it was ridiculous. And I need all the space I can get!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great Holiday and a very Merry Christmas!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-59250470223490447962013-12-16T11:21:00.000-08:002013-12-16T11:21:36.988-08:00How To Teach Integrity??<span style="font-size: large;">When I started this career, I knew certain character traits would be more difficult to teach than others. How to Respect others, taking care of our Responsibilities, and Caring for others were some I knew would be easy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But Harmony- yea that one was harder. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Excellence- hard to <i>teach</i> how to be Excellent.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But our Character Trait this month is Integrity- and one of the more difficult concepts to teach. It's really hard for students to understand the concept of doing the right thing for no specific reason other than it's the right thing to do. Why should I "do the right thing even when no one is looking". They can spout it off verbatim but do they really live it? It took a lot of searching but I found some awesome activities to use. Plus, since our district just finished with Math and Science Nights, I made my activities focus on Integrity through a science viewpoint... And two of my favorites (so far) are these:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">My First graders got to read <i>The Empty Pot</i> by Demi. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsowFtkq8qu1tH-sNqWU5Pa8RUeeAHgYs3BFZotFXkAlobJiC9KQ0wY0QvT2K5S55tp77iyqXzXrLVmx6ttGgBntjv_K0kXH8ult35yhCdqVjaxlVQxd8g7CvT13qld6CULW6q4ddIeY/s1600/The+Empty+Pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsowFtkq8qu1tH-sNqWU5Pa8RUeeAHgYs3BFZotFXkAlobJiC9KQ0wY0QvT2K5S55tp77iyqXzXrLVmx6ttGgBntjv_K0kXH8ult35yhCdqVjaxlVQxd8g7CvT13qld6CULW6q4ddIeY/s320/The+Empty+Pot.jpg" width="284" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An AWESOME book that teaches the importance of telling the truth and doing the right thing even when no one else is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">After discussing key concepts from the book, students wrote a sentence about Integrity on a napkin, folded it and placed it in a small Ziploc. The kids then got to place a magic seed (a Pinto Bean) in their bag and we watered it. We talked about how the Integrity washes off the napkin and onto the bean and the kids get to watch other the next few days the bean sprout roots (and how we all grow with Integrity)! The kids love doing it and they think it's cool how the seeds germinate almost overnight!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next, our Third Graders learned that when we do the right thing (even if no one is <i>directly</i> impacted), it changes the atmosphere, the composition, and the makeup of the entire school. We read <i>The Principal's New Clothes </i>by Stephanie Calmenson.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuZu4cFQAhOF8g4vV6u33mrtEUc2nq6dQgZM3jmisyjqxyU2jS7jLv0DK8gD5rnzmXViTfs4yRN0MT7ejWdcs0vBtg6s7BBP0LsithMFGKvr-Hjulh1yyw11kdvyiKe8JSUn-KTTSB2k/s1600/Principals+New+Clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuZu4cFQAhOF8g4vV6u33mrtEUc2nq6dQgZM3jmisyjqxyU2jS7jLv0DK8gD5rnzmXViTfs4yRN0MT7ejWdcs0vBtg6s7BBP0LsithMFGKvr-Hjulh1yyw11kdvyiKe8JSUn-KTTSB2k/s320/Principals+New+Clothes.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a funny school-related take on <i>The Emperor's New Clothes</i> and it's an older book but for some reason my Third Graders really like it. We talk about how the entire school learns to do the right thing no matter who sees or what others think. But then we talk about Invisible Cloth... and Invisible Ink. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"But Mr. Allen, there's no such thing!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh yea?! Well I love science. So here's what we do. I give them all a piece of paper, have them write their name on it, and then flip it over to the blank side. Every student then gets a new writing tool...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjxKlcVKEnmTX0sMOFlEm7jIPjAIaKLs340gSE9A4upe80v1W-Kb1gAsihGpavNaRD9edXQK0oI6Bt0nS1DJY_pJH5wNsdFrcqIeP9ghZ74JCzjBMvQd7PIDCGXGV6nnJT6FnZGUwAUU/s1600/QTip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjxKlcVKEnmTX0sMOFlEm7jIPjAIaKLs340gSE9A4upe80v1W-Kb1gAsihGpavNaRD9edXQK0oI6Bt0nS1DJY_pJH5wNsdFrcqIeP9ghZ74JCzjBMvQd7PIDCGXGV6nnJT6FnZGUwAUU/s320/QTip.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wax makes an awesome writing medium... :) EWWW</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Students get so defensive that it's <i>not</i> a writing tool. So I ask for an example of a writing tool... and I get "a pencil!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I ask them what a pencil is made of and they respond "wood". But does it <i>write</i> with the wood or need something else. Well duh, it needs something else- The <strike>lead</strike> graphite! So then they all get a small cup of liquid to write with (much like our Forefathers used quills and ink, my students used Q-Tips and an acidic liquid- either lemon juice, orange juice, or vinegar... whichever I have in my house).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I then ask them to dip their Q-Tip and write on their paper HOW they show Integrity in school (a specific example). And slowly students realize they can't se what's written. Neither can I. Neither can their neighbors. Neither can their teachers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyoLowqhrIoZIcDRyKL5e5g5dp5VAf9beFWAkT0e1s-pPZZ6o3dWwKXTU7aQr66njkxCJsGFbU4xPIC80wOxkJ-XzCmDiEoGxdFvA4uGrzgpc9hFe9hoDVbgOmYXFpzMRJADE52-vbYk/s1600/IMG_3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyoLowqhrIoZIcDRyKL5e5g5dp5VAf9beFWAkT0e1s-pPZZ6o3dWwKXTU7aQr66njkxCJsGFbU4xPIC80wOxkJ-XzCmDiEoGxdFvA4uGrzgpc9hFe9hoDVbgOmYXFpzMRJADE52-vbYk/s320/IMG_3500.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their papers done and dried "blank"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, we show Integrity everyday EVEN IF NO ONE CAN SEE IT! Why? Because it's still there and it still affects other students, teachers, parents, etc. And sometimes, a little change can reveal that Integrity and can show how much we care about others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I take the papers home that night and place them four-at-a-time in my oven set to Low Broil.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6DkO_ZvIFIw0XTRQkTCfk8PEOhzWfMzIqBLZNSILvFkeKQ9PGyBn998Jw_kR0rIpnRFfTsMMvPNQgPQdMRQndSH_NvsIsFDcDO3BHQU8RI4vH1jADDUPtA7_SMvxdp8JHkGcFWulMf0/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6DkO_ZvIFIw0XTRQkTCfk8PEOhzWfMzIqBLZNSILvFkeKQ9PGyBn998Jw_kR0rIpnRFfTsMMvPNQgPQdMRQndSH_NvsIsFDcDO3BHQU8RI4vH1jADDUPtA7_SMvxdp8JHkGcFWulMf0/s320/IMG_3501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And something amazing happens...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xi3JZdbnaAkN1BAZN1xFCTuhtHkcS4ryFZ2utf7hPxP7WLu1eTqFmfDROwolntKpCOV2UfjZvApmQQIpVKl49X4-d4rznjTLnaXQ08AhGeYr00Jqm0PXqueFtMJJn8BLe2fRURxTWVE/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xi3JZdbnaAkN1BAZN1xFCTuhtHkcS4ryFZ2utf7hPxP7WLu1eTqFmfDROwolntKpCOV2UfjZvApmQQIpVKl49X4-d4rznjTLnaXQ08AhGeYr00Jqm0PXqueFtMJJn8BLe2fRURxTWVE/s320/IMG_3502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The writing burns quicker (because of the acid) and their little acts of Integrity show through!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYK-fMNUHTwkLO0Pyw_a-55PQuUSJf1UHh8uTCF79Y_qSCO4cbVkwUlyyxVLYzALpRKGvNlkm7mXnINCr4P_Vpy6t9rcMWDqugUIpyy6fWA4dkHiCLTL4icwTI8PVB1e4m4aRpO1sv28/s1600/IMG_3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYK-fMNUHTwkLO0Pyw_a-55PQuUSJf1UHh8uTCF79Y_qSCO4cbVkwUlyyxVLYzALpRKGvNlkm7mXnINCr4P_Vpy6t9rcMWDqugUIpyy6fWA4dkHiCLTL4icwTI8PVB1e4m4aRpO1sv28/s320/IMG_3503.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD6Xnqzllq3XhGC707wdznY301xFw53VnKM4BHFmGA4q0p-0UeRPC_xs18369Co3b76MpZuPuPFWDX1GNK9Hx5BL8Y3WUZXstNOJRLMCqG7fBlZNowwWkYx7zQDpYmieKSeNsC-qOGEc/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRD6Xnqzllq3XhGC707wdznY301xFw53VnKM4BHFmGA4q0p-0UeRPC_xs18369Co3b76MpZuPuPFWDX1GNK9Hx5BL8Y3WUZXstNOJRLMCqG7fBlZNowwWkYx7zQDpYmieKSeNsC-qOGEc/s320/IMG_3504.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next day I hang them in the hall so EVERYONE can see how Third Grade is showing Integrity (even if they THINK no one can see!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBkLdei9zDxoJKoFNoaMHuFNwKKcFFFV4e3k71Ao-z8h_iEt7_yUVwuQ-fCcJoGQu7kukS7AfohEWJsUSn9E14qto6nwIzLMqJKzH1ekWsVP0PxPPVSgLIXJcWqRk5Oe1YTbmb8bImaw/s1600/IMG_3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSBkLdei9zDxoJKoFNoaMHuFNwKKcFFFV4e3k71Ao-z8h_iEt7_yUVwuQ-fCcJoGQu7kukS7AfohEWJsUSn9E14qto6nwIzLMqJKzH1ekWsVP0PxPPVSgLIXJcWqRk5Oe1YTbmb8bImaw/s320/IMG_3511.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Science meets Counseling! New twist on an old concept. Gets them thinking and engaged. I LOVE IT!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-44881544617105458842013-12-10T09:46:00.000-08:002013-12-10T09:46:02.254-08:00Setting Goals... and Keeping Them!<span style="font-size: large;">As I think about goals, I think about my goal to write a post once a week... BWAHAHAHA! Yea, that has slipped. But I have not given up and will continue to try my best for the six of you that actually read my blog :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But in thinking about Goal Setting, I wanted to share something that my Falcons school does for goals (and that I would love to implement at our Wildcats school).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I started last year, our Principal and Librarian had a program going for 9-week goal setting. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8-Mdi1WbA-H5RXIlsPROUYjH3TAKopb2Slfd2zSo1003ZIDGTT5W7M_HjUZBWFytQ2lKHHSYOI90C-FBllMehi5f5ChvTetfCyrY9AJ7NbEI1_Hltc99Npj3ZQ0OYazeki47uMk43qw/s1600/Goal+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8-Mdi1WbA-H5RXIlsPROUYjH3TAKopb2Slfd2zSo1003ZIDGTT5W7M_HjUZBWFytQ2lKHHSYOI90C-FBllMehi5f5ChvTetfCyrY9AJ7NbEI1_Hltc99Npj3ZQ0OYazeki47uMk43qw/s320/Goal+Image.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">During Library time, every 9 weeks (at the end of the grading period) our students would come up with an academic goal and try to achieve it. If they achieved it, they got a sucker and we took their pictures and hung them on a bulletin board by the Library. They would also get an extra recess (free-time in the gym or outside) during the next week's Library time. It's a fantastic way to get them accustomed to setting goals and working towards them and some positive reward for a job well done!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, when I started, our Principal kind of "handed" the program over to me and I am in-charge of it now. And we have made some <i>technological </i>changes :)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Before</b>: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Student would have a sheet of 8.5x11 paper that said:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Name:_____</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1st 9 week goal:_____</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2nd 9 week goal:_____</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3rd 9 week goal:_____</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4th 9 week goal:_____</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We had one sheet for every student, 1st-6th. All split up by classroom in a filing cabinet in the Library. Every nine weeks, we would get out the almost 300-sheets of paper and check each student to see if they had met their goal or not. This also meant that for nine weeks, the students had NO idea what their goal was because frankly, let's admit it, they forget! And with them closed up in a filing cabinet in a closet in the Library, no one wants to ask to see it and frankly, no one wants to go rummaging around to find it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not an effective system.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>After:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the beginning of this year, I asked our Librarian how long she keeps the goal sheets (for data purposes). She told me that at the end of every year she pitches them... Every year almost an entire ream of paper trashed. Holy Smokes!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So we came up with a new plan. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I created a Google Doc (yea, these things are SUPER useful!) that looks a little something like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKx3PCPAWIaE76EOJ40-3AHK5jLcrMTJXhRfSjhBu63TWlr6AzASSQDgQW7vHaCWTxwAL9SIAZ7mritjuBisIcf85M3YbJBvhU_3HbHqYU-8UYWPuKvlyyj_fHXzIHvtQSme_JY1dDtw/s1600/Goal+Doc+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKx3PCPAWIaE76EOJ40-3AHK5jLcrMTJXhRfSjhBu63TWlr6AzASSQDgQW7vHaCWTxwAL9SIAZ7mritjuBisIcf85M3YbJBvhU_3HbHqYU-8UYWPuKvlyyj_fHXzIHvtQSme_JY1dDtw/s320/Goal+Doc+Image.JPG" width="280" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I call up students one-by-one during their Library time (while they're finding a book) and we select their teacher (drop down menu), which 9-weeks it is (drop down menu with 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th), put their name, and type their goal. Older grades get to type their own and little kids are AMAZED at seeing their name and teacher on it. Then we hit submit and the information goes into a spreadsheet that looks like this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OtpaxeX93Mc0ifpa59JJGNoTTd3vXvkYDJmYVsJ3XbNd3T6E2VNdbs0eqb4uE7SXhoeRW3xB3mCAgaHyHnfFndo-uP-M1mW-E8_ZCwY9phLS9fIouBzMdhKXOS1k2mHz3GCFA4L4IhU/s1600/Goal+Responses+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OtpaxeX93Mc0ifpa59JJGNoTTd3vXvkYDJmYVsJ3XbNd3T6E2VNdbs0eqb4uE7SXhoeRW3xB3mCAgaHyHnfFndo-uP-M1mW-E8_ZCwY9phLS9fIouBzMdhKXOS1k2mHz3GCFA4L4IhU/s320/Goal+Responses+Image.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">All I have to do is print it out and I get a 1-page document with everyone's goal per class (I added a check-mark column to be able to check off if they made their goal or not). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I now have a 10-page document per grading period that is about 1/30th of what we had before. I give one copy of each class' to the teacher (in case their students want to know) and I keep a copy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Next 9-weeks, we do the same process and at the end, I can sort by name to be able to see each students' progress with their goals. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I LOVE this process and the students love seeing their progress with goals and really enjoy trying to beat each other. Going tech has really cut down on the time and, let's face it, it's pretty cool too! Plus all the paper we save!! It also gives me track-able data to show what I have done with students and I count it as a classroom lesson (since every time we meet we go over what makes a good goal, how we can achieve our goal, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you do any school-wide goal setting at your school?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me know!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And as always, have a great day!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-12770559252270992772013-11-19T10:16:00.000-08:002013-11-19T10:16:50.579-08:00Parent University<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year, our Social Worker came up with a brilliant (interpreted as CRAZY) notion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Guys, I got an idea..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">These 5 words rarely lead to something easy to accomplish- but they do often lead to something AMAZING. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tabby, our Social Worker and integral part of our Elementary Counseling Team, wanted to create an evening where parents could come and attend mini-sessions that would focus on parenting issues. On paper, it seemed easy. In reality, not so much. But what we did, was create an evening of not only mini-sessions for parents, but free dinner (yep, FREE)... free door-prizes for all attendees (yep, FREE)... and free CHILDCARE (are you hearing me?!?!). Plus we did one per semester. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not sure how we didn't have parents beating down our doors! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So why stop at <i>one</i> year... why not do it again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SO here's a basic guideline of what we did:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 1.) Pick a school, pick a day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We have six Elementary Schools so we wanted to be able to use all six school eventually. We're focused on using the Elementary Schools because it's for parents of Elementary aged students! Our MS and HS do parent nights but we wanted to do something District wide. Also, make sure you try and avoid school functions, church activities, and Fridays :) This year, ours was on a Thursday from 5:30pm- 7:30pm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 2.) Just because it's free to parents, does NOT mean it's free to put on!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yea, we needed funding. Last year, our PTO's were phenomenal at donating money. Each school's PTO donated $50 (equaling $300 to use)! While this may not seem like a ton of money, you must become resourceful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 3.) Get the word out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some parents get tired of their kids bringing home stuff... TOO BAD! We started by sending a Save-The-Date card home. Then a survey where parents could pick up to six different topics that they may be interested in attending. We used this information to help determine what topics to get presenters on. Also they could mark if they were planning on coming and if so, how many kids they would bring. Just because it was directed for parents of Elementary aged students, doesn't mean we didn't want the whole family to come! Moms, dads, siblings, bring em! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 4.) If you feed them, they will come.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Seriously, provide dinner! The first time we did it, our School Lunch company catered for us. But, it was pretty costly. So this year, we reached out. Papa Johns gave us a HECK of a deal on pizzas. So pizza dinner, with salad (thanks Wal-Mart), dressings (thanks local restaurant), cookies (thanks local bakery), and lemonade (bought from Wal Mart and served in a big 5gal. orange drink cooler- thanks Delta Gamma!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 5.) Get volunteers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parent volunteers- check! Teacher volunteers- check! Community volunteers- check! Our six presenters... ALL local community members from Mental Health professionals, pastors, Behavior Consultants, parents, etc. Our food: served by teacher volunteers from all six buildings. Registration: done by teacher and parent volunteers. Childcare: Media Specialist, Art Teacher, and Gym Teacher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 6.) Reward Them!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had two half-hour sessions where parents could pick from three sessions to attend (six in all and parents got to attend two). Some parents were smart and split up, giving them 4/6 sessions attended. In the folders they received during registration, they had an Evaluation to fill out (ALWAYS GET DATA!). When they turned in their Evaluation, they received a door prize.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What kind of door prize? DONATIONS!!! Local restaurants, fast food, barbers, nail salons, chiropractors, insurance groups, hair salons, Library, Wal Mart, Marsh, pizza places, -You name it, we went there asking for donations. And many said YES!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also did have to buy some (candles, books, family movies, games, crafts- all focused on building a stronger family!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, was it hard? You betcha! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Was it worth it? 100% YES!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would encourage you to look into creating a night of family-focused learning for your parents. It'll be worth it too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-60528065520252397912013-11-05T17:36:00.000-08:002013-11-05T17:36:46.122-08:00Whew!<span style="font-size: large;">Wow, what a whirlwind of a month! I realized it had been almost a month since my last post and almost as long since I've been through my Feedly posts. Obviously the past month has been crazy for everyone but here's a quick recap before I go into what's coming up:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Donuts With Dad</b>- HUGE SUCCESS! Plus I got to have a Donut with my daughter ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Red Ribbon Week</b>- My favorite!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyl8n-j21US4xFcdkuX9vJihFwkpyY8gc-zZDmVw4QxiVx-oEghyphenhyphenMQcRTiuI5EH-q6BlrYMMyEBwLaWENNOEOSSc0vFIaduFmZ3S6hkDy-SwTCVRydB1ZXv8ZUWdlEr9qstKTZtPzB-0/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyl8n-j21US4xFcdkuX9vJihFwkpyY8gc-zZDmVw4QxiVx-oEghyphenhyphenMQcRTiuI5EH-q6BlrYMMyEBwLaWENNOEOSSc0vFIaduFmZ3S6hkDy-SwTCVRydB1ZXv8ZUWdlEr9qstKTZtPzB-0/s320/IMG_2960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PkZDtwqNm30lUMz-qov2K13D_wOprqN4hPVg_UGzbqmnbmBY8XNoBbigmlNqVT9G26Yx2UdvhTDrA8xx7QJ6BN1fCBtd8FJbGO2NfB39QWZgtJfY8S_2AepEoAVnV66iOjf1w8qlt4k/s1600/IMG_2961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PkZDtwqNm30lUMz-qov2K13D_wOprqN4hPVg_UGzbqmnbmBY8XNoBbigmlNqVT9G26Yx2UdvhTDrA8xx7QJ6BN1fCBtd8FJbGO2NfB39QWZgtJfY8S_2AepEoAVnV66iOjf1w8qlt4k/s320/IMG_2961.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had over 450 signatures at BOTH schools ... All pledging to live their lives Drug Free (and yea, I made the banners~ they matched our Ribbons and the theme "Text Me... Drug Free")</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We also had theme days such as "Put a LID on Drugs" (Hat Day), "Turn Your BACK On Drugs" (Backward Shirt Day), and "SHADE Out Drugs" (Sunglasses Day). We don't get too crazy with our theme days :( - something I may be changing soon LOL</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Falcon's Fall Literacy Day</b>- This is where we take one whole day and create a 40 minute rotation with stations focused on learning in different Fall-themed ways. From estimating seeds in a pumpkin to learning music and sounds to Vivaldi's <i>Four Seasons</i> to running an obstacle course outside. I was in charge of the K-2 Obstacle Course... and since it was the day after Halloween, I wanted to dress up. SO my Obstacle Course was <u>The Justice League</u> and each obstacle paired with a super hero. We also talked about how reading stories gives us a glimpse into how we can be super everyday... guess what superhero I was?...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFd4Blzcay7FD_iQE0D_54qgPSAMCgn9lRT0RQ3NYANuo9z5HhXsDfT4jxHCsIBN13-JvijjxnrGUXc9FMoO5HTNqJoz2cZoeKWlTGTxaMUmlnplpMSPxOh3Zhd-XhH6TkgY0MirGS_M/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFd4Blzcay7FD_iQE0D_54qgPSAMCgn9lRT0RQ3NYANuo9z5HhXsDfT4jxHCsIBN13-JvijjxnrGUXc9FMoO5HTNqJoz2cZoeKWlTGTxaMUmlnplpMSPxOh3Zhd-XhH6TkgY0MirGS_M/s320/IMG_3119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I "borrowed" this Clark Kent idea from a fellow School Counselor "cedric324" on Instagram :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fall Break</b>- for a whole week... need I say more?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bulletin Board</b>- So last year I BEGGED for a Bulletin Board at my Wildcat's school... well, over summer break they gave me one... in my office. Where as I had meant in the hallway, I took what I could get. And in my excitement at the beginning of the year, I put green paper on it and border and waited for that one GREAT idea... that three months later FINALLY came. I got the idea from Barbara over at <a href="http://corneroncharacter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Corner On Character</a>. Her school does an AMAZING job on character and one of her school bulletin boards was a word search highlighting their school's Pillars. Well, we have our RICHER Principles (Respect, Integrity, Caring, Harmony, Excellence and Responsibility). So, with a little online help, I created a giant word search featuring all the Principles and lessons we teach and created this:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdPkyDskcL5LUDz3XYLa4GY5xC7_dvJPxADkSSdrio6lu2hItUETvEFwHr3pkvek9OxLo3720-gbbn9Yp5uNXN1vVpgMDFFYoNVx24nLKQyEskrthszci1yRrAc91ab4g7BVZPHakMkg/s1600/Bulletin+Board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdPkyDskcL5LUDz3XYLa4GY5xC7_dvJPxADkSSdrio6lu2hItUETvEFwHr3pkvek9OxLo3720-gbbn9Yp5uNXN1vVpgMDFFYoNVx24nLKQyEskrthszci1yRrAc91ab4g7BVZPHakMkg/s320/Bulletin+Board.JPG" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every month, I'll change the "search word" and put red yarn over the word that has already been found</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Office Rearranged</b>- My Wildcat office has never been my favorite. So I have been changing it around. We had a large trunk in our garage (you know, the kind that goes at the foot of a bed) and it wasn't being used. So I took it in, am using it for seating, and slid my table back. Gave me a lot more space and storage! And man, we all love storage. I have also started using my laptop and am thinking about getting rid of my GIANT junky desk and getting a small table to keep supplies on and clearing up more space. Maybe I'll get a couch? :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGrvNeZ0Xjr7F3qCQVm0SRsNjxFD83k14FqdBq-4dHgEH-xLC6emWukC9FYVirXKhKPFsGJugtCIAUI5tPR8PoYys_LKGFpsU0HdkvuVbkuQc-U3B8quLbl-aa2HAa-q6JSOLb48h5b0/s1600/Office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGrvNeZ0Xjr7F3qCQVm0SRsNjxFD83k14FqdBq-4dHgEH-xLC6emWukC9FYVirXKhKPFsGJugtCIAUI5tPR8PoYys_LKGFpsU0HdkvuVbkuQc-U3B8quLbl-aa2HAa-q6JSOLb48h5b0/s320/Office.JPG" width="319" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Parent University</b><i style="font-weight: bold;">- </i>This is what's coming up. Every year, the Elementary Counselors and Social Worker (the four of us) host an evening of Free Family Pizza Dinner, Free Childcare, a movie, and Free little class sessions for parents where we have different topics they can go a learn about (Anger Management, Discipline, Grandparents in a parenting role, etc.). The event is this Thursday so I will be posting about it later. Pray for us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that's all for now. I promise not to hiatus for a month at a time... that is if anyone is actually reading this :) Later I'll write about some AWESOME lessons regarding Harmony and how our school does 9 Week Goal setting! Super fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Later gaters!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">JW</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-83209536483952801212013-10-07T07:14:00.000-07:002013-10-07T07:14:58.094-07:00Bully vs. Bullying<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This weekend my wife was out of town and I needed to go back "home" and see some family and help out chaperoning a family member's 11th birthday party sleepover camp-out. So we (our two kiddos, the two Labs, and I) made the almost-three-hour-drive back to where we moved from. And over the course of that 28 hour visit, I thought a lot about how our kids behave and how we address their behavior.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You know, a lot can be said in the power of words. Simply rephrasing a word can have a lot of impact. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As parents and teachers, we always want to make sure we're addressing the behaviors and not the actual make-up of the kiddo. For example, this weekend had it's fair-share of fighting with their sibling, arguing with family members over whose toy is whose, throwing a fit, acting up, etc. But never once did I ever look at them and say "YOU are bad". No, we address the behavior and talk about how we can change. We tell them we don't like their behavior but that <i>they</i> are still a good person.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So what about a Bully. When we call a kid a "Bully" what we have done is label that kid and addressed his core make-up and not really the behavior. If they think they are a Bully, they may also believe that the behavior can't change, that that is what they are and will always be. But OH, how wrong they are! I LOVE a success story of seeing someone who used to bully others and now is running around making good choices with tons of friends and respect from teachers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's about time we start using the word BULLY as a verb and NOT a noun! They are bullying... but I don't like saying they ARE a bully. Their choices are bad. But they are not bad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is why I have tried erasing BULLY as a noun from all of my lessons. It has to start with us, as teachers, aides, administrative staff, Counselors, social workers, etc. If we put as much effort into erasing BULLY as a noun as we do replacing Guidance with School in our email signature lines, I think something amazing would happen! Kids might realize their behaviors can change. That they are more than the things they do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everyone has shared some pretty awesome resources for addressing Bullying so I don't want to take up a ton of time reinventing the wheel. But we all love tech-y stuff so here are a couple videos I use to address Bullying.</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/36b36bbbdeeac3beeedd" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I use this video with 2nd and 3rd grades and we talk about the Perpetrator (used to replace "Bully"... see what I did there? :), the Victim, and the Bystander. Kids really like it and love pointing out why Zoe is so mean.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also use this one for 4th and 5th:</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://www.schooltube.com/embed/6208c303eaaf4e408193" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last year I used the actual music video from YouTube but our Corporation has since blocked YouTube (along with just about everything else) so I now use SchoolTube ~ which, by the way, I LOVE. My students like this version because they can see the words and we can talk about the story of what happens, how it made her feel, and how it makes us feel when the same things happen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">No one wants to be bullied, but no one wants to be labeled. If we are calling someone a bad name (like "bully") repeatedly meant to upset them and we do it over and over and over on purpose, what's that called? Oh yea... BULLYING! Don't be a bully!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-71645748915141489102013-09-25T17:45:00.003-07:002013-09-25T17:46:22.932-07:00New Lessons and a Wow Moment...<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So much has been going on these past couple weeks, it has been hard to find time to sit down and blog about them! I have a couple posts started but I've been having difficulty figuring out which one to finish and share first.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Our Excellence lessons have ended for the schools and they went fantastically. The students really got into showing how they grow, how they achieve Excellence, and how setting goals can help. I was really proud of the students for getting into it. Since that has ended, we have now moved into Respect and Bullying (oh no... that "B" word that we have all been dreading talking about). We normally do Respect and Bullying in August to start the year, but with new laws coming into effect, our District had to change how we classify Bullying, how we react to Bullying, and how we elicit changes in behaviors to prevent Bullying. Unfortunately, there was a big "hullabaloo" at our Administrative level regarding how we can present school-wide lessons and information on Bullying...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Seriously??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hello, School Counselor standing RIGHT HERE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Once the light bulb came on, we lowly Counselors were FINALLY able to present the lessons we had planned since August (but had to pause on while Admin figured who could present them... again, seriously?).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So we have begun our lessons and they are going great! We really try to make everyone understand the difference between Bullying and just plain being mean or rude. Neither are tolerated at our schools... but when EVERYTHING is Bullying, then NOTHING is Bullying. We talk about intent, duration, and effect of behaviors. I love hearing students (even my Kindergartners) tell me the difference between Bullying and someone being mean or rude. I think language is a powerful thing and proper terminology can go a long way! I'll be sharing some upcoming Bullying lessons here soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But I really wanted to share a quick "yea, I love this job" moment I had yesterday. My Wildcat Principal called me into her office first thing (yep, I am 28 years old, 6'4'' and 220 lbs and being called into the Principal's office still scares me). However, she wanted to tell me she had received a call from a woman in Newtown, Conneticut. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">See, the day after Sandy Hook happened, I really felt like our small town in Indiana needed to do something to say "hey, we're praying for you all". So after I told my Principals what I wanted to do, I gave each teacher (at both schools) a container and told the students we would be raising money to send. Not really a battle or a contest. Not a Penny War... just a simple collection. The classroom that raised the most I decided I would buy Pizza for just to say thanks. I also set up a small table with construction paper for them to make cards as they wanted. Simple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">OH MY... The response was overwhelming. Kids were breaking open Piggy Banks, classrooms were cashing in points for coins, kids were giving us their lunch money (seriously!). I had to buy more construction paper after about two days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The other four Elementary schools came aboard and in only four days we raised $2,697.54. Considering the poverty rate in our city and our over 90% FNR population, this was astronomical! We also filled three paper boxes FULL of cards, letters, poems, and pictures. The love that poured out of our students was remarkable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jump ahead a year... and unbeknownst to us, there is now an individual in Newtown, Connecticut who has the responsibility of sorting, cataloging and inventorying ALL post received due to the shooting. I bet no one thought about <i>that</i>! Because of the over one million parcels of mail received, parents and family members have stopped receiving mail and it is being stored until they are ready. And with all that, there is this ONE individual who is reading and sorting and organizing all this mail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But, despite all that grief and angst, she read a letter sent by one of our 6th graders (a letter discussing the student's own personal loss) and felt so moved by her story, she wanted to reach out and write back to her! Imagine that... a town that is still in grief and mourning the loss of their loved ones- but she wanted to reach out to our student in small-town Indiana to say "hey, I'm praying for you". So she wrote to her and is sending it back to our school and wanted the Principal or myself to deliver it to the now-7th-grader (and now at the Middle School). Um... Wow. I was speechless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Tonight when your done reading this, stop for a moment and say a prayer for this woman who is having to relive the worst day in her life by sorting all these gifts of love... but still finds the strength of compassion and love for others to connect and care. Makes you wonder what kind of School Counselor she would have been :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With that in mind, I pray all of you have a great week. Remember, even in your own storm, you still have the love and compassion to reach out and calm someone else's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-82274055884618067792013-09-10T17:57:00.001-07:002013-09-10T17:58:35.404-07:00Sharing the happiness<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In Greek mythology, Atlas and his brother sided with the Titans and waged war against the Olympian gods. When the Titans were defeated, many were locked away... But Atlas was forced to stand on the edge of the Earth and hold the sky up to keep the two from touching. Imagine that- being forced to stand and bear the weight of all the Heavens above the Earth. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yea, definitely needed to censor that!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, as School Counselors, sometimes we are charged with carrying the weight of the Heavens on our shoulders. Every day we have staff, students, parents, and administrators come to us to confide in us. They come to tell us their sadness, their grief, their anger, and their mourning. They lay upon us their frustration, their anxiety, their embarrassment. They expect us to fix the broken, heal the sick, revive the lost. We counsel the individuals, meet with the groups, read to the classrooms, call the parents, and collaborate with staff and administration. And every day these individuals come to us, lay their burden down, and then leave with a glimmer of hope in their eyes. We have given them a fresh start to go and conquer the world!!!...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But where does that leave us?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When the door closes and we're left with that weight, where does it go? Some days we can take the weight and file it away and go on. Some days might be particularly hard. And on those days, what do we do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, we keep calm and counsel on! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Where there is no counsel, people fail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But in the multitude of counselors, there is safety" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Proverbs 11:14</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is why we have each other! To share the successes and the hope we have every day. Because tomorrow is a new day. A new day of GOOD things. And sometimes (like today) we have to focus on the good things to help get through the bad. So to start, I am going to share some silver linings to my cloudy day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1) I was contacted by <a href="http://bouncybands.com/" target="_blank">Bouncy Bands</a> out of North Carolina- they upcycle used bicycle tire tubes and create the bands that can go across the front of desks for students to help them focus on work while their feet are bouncin' along. They saw my blog via Susan's <a href="http://entirelyelementary.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Entirely Elementary</a> blogroll (thanks Susan) and wanted to send me two sample kits to try out and write a review for. I was SO excited! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2) I have had nine Indiana Universities respond to my emails for donations for College Go! Week and have sent a plethora of pens, posters, pennants, stickers, lanyards, tee shirts, bags, etc. to give out! I LOVE College Go! Week (and will be posting about that next week :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3) Our Literacy Coach had her first monthly "Chips and Chat" (an opportunity for staff members to come together in a relaxed atmosphere, munch, and discuss some positives/ ideas with one another). She has also asked me to help facilitate the events and share some tech/ data tips and tricks with the teachers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4) My blog is getting a face lift Some of you might be thinking "really? you've only been blogging for two months". Wel, I have decided the black and gray is NOT ME! It was good when I first found it but I need some color. SO, when you check back next week prepare to be wow'd! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5) There will also be a new addition to the blog on the sidebar where YOU can share your happiness! I am looking for a widget that will post general comments. What I want you to do, is when you stop by my blog, type in some happiness. Maybe it's something that went right for you or something you're excited about or some positive words of encouragement. Whatever is on your heart! It will be a stream on the side of my blog so when you come by, you can instantly read some good news and share some of your own! It'll be a virtual "Take a Penny, Leave a Penny".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So be on the lookout for some happiness. Because sometimes all you have is that bit of silver lining. Just remember, all clouds pass and the sun shining behind it is BEAUTIFUL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-89160594273307638272013-09-05T06:52:00.001-07:002013-09-05T06:52:40.835-07:00An EXCELLENT lesson on EXCELLENCE<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Two buildings. Seven grades per building, K-6. Two classrooms per grade (except my Wildcats school has three 1st grade classrooms). One new Classroom Counseling topic per month plus extras (Red Ribbon Week, College Go! Week, weekly LifeSkills lessons for 6th grade, impromptu lessons as teacher request, etc.). Last year I completed a total of 424 Classroom Counseling lessons. Maybe that's why I am still so tired :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">However, it keeps me busy and I have a great relative- direction for my lessons. Our District utilizes the RICHER Principles:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYGYHPXW9RwMLGApldNP0NbglaUMh-aONIoDciyPXwD3g4F076ZPTMsywLpMILy36075tE9YLeqFe2Us1T8Wt1DPsnW5nTWThH9dmwm9KH_lFMdJhHIpzx5uBB6itKRLhLCQ0dj-KLFI/s1600/RICHER.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYGYHPXW9RwMLGApldNP0NbglaUMh-aONIoDciyPXwD3g4F076ZPTMsywLpMILy36075tE9YLeqFe2Us1T8Wt1DPsnW5nTWThH9dmwm9KH_lFMdJhHIpzx5uBB6itKRLhLCQ0dj-KLFI/s320/RICHER.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The RICHER Principles explained... The pawprints are for my Wildcat's school!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">These Principles are what every school adheres to (though some schools might condense them). So every month we discuss a new RICHER Principle school-wide and district-wide for Elementary schools. We normally start with RESPECT and tie in Bullying since it's the beginning of the year and we want all students to know what is and what is not tolerated at our schools. But since our State is implementing new legislature, so are we and we're waiting for all the kinks to be ironed out (Lord help us). So instead, we skipped on ahead to EXCELLENCE (yea, we don't go in R-I-C-H-E-R order, oh well!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A lot of our Principles are relatively easy to teach (working together, doing the right thing, caring...) but how in the world do you teach someone to be Excellent?! Last year I stressed over this to the max... but what I thought would be the hardest thing to teach became some of my favorite lessons!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For my 2nd graders, we read <i>Giraffes Can't Dance</i> by Giles Andreae. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVLJoIENWz1ifUvb_Jzgx6pk5NdpqqjvIslouFaGNcvhjh8lP9DopFlBU_rAgpb3Q3jn6lN9lKSAmNMg44NSD1IBWRYhDfaiBLzYweQrzgsqcn0iI3wjAo2tc4o1FCMvUo_7Kehm09zw/s1600/Giraffes+Can't+Dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVLJoIENWz1ifUvb_Jzgx6pk5NdpqqjvIslouFaGNcvhjh8lP9DopFlBU_rAgpb3Q3jn6lN9lKSAmNMg44NSD1IBWRYhDfaiBLzYweQrzgsqcn0iI3wjAo2tc4o1FCMvUo_7Kehm09zw/s320/Giraffes+Can't+Dance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This has become one of my favorite books ever! It's about a Giraffe named Gerald who is told he can't dance. So when the Jungle Dance comes around, he has a hard time trying and believing in himself. All the animals are so good at their own dances but he isn't. But he finds out that "sometimes when you're different, you just need a different song". So we talk about how we are ALL Excellent at <i>something</i> and we all have something to contribute to our classroom. There are a lot of small elements in this book that tie in with everyone having their own "song" to "dance" to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Have you read it? No?!?! Seriously, go to your school's Library right now and get this book... Don't worry, I'll wait for you to come back before I go on. Ready go...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Okay, welcome back. Great book, right?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, after we read and discuss it, we play "EXCELLENCE Find-A-Friend" a game I created which is a cross between Guess Who and Bingo. I make a grid about 4x4 or 5x5 (depending on the class size) and write one positive thing in each grid box (Can Dance, Can Sing, Likes Softball, Is Good At Math, etc.). Each student gets a copy and then they have to go around and find one new "friend" for each square. They write that person's name in their grid and then go find someone else and someone else and so on and so forth. The goal is to get their entire grid filled in... and most of them get almost all the way done before we end it (I always end it early so that they stay curious and want to finish it at lunch or recess :). We then discuss how we can make new friends through common interests and through showing EXCELLENCE. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Isn't it funny how becoming a School Counselor makes us believe in so many things- like the goodness in others and how every student really can be Excellent?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So, I have finished K-2 EXCELLENCE and will be doing 3-5 and starting 6th Grade LifeSkills (an entire post all to itself). Next week I'll share another EXCELLENCE lesson that I love involving Post-It Notes and maps!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As always, have a great day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-66659558403764277432013-08-29T19:27:00.000-07:002013-08-29T19:27:29.496-07:00Meet The Teacher Night and Occam's Razor<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last night was my Falcon school's "Meet The Teacher Night". My Wildcats' "Back To School Night" was on the evening of the second day of school- not too much to report since school had only been in session for about 48 hours :) But as always, it was nice mingling with parents, discussing what the school counselor does, and getting tons of hugs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But tonight's Falcon night was extra special for a me for a couple reasons. First, it was my daughter's first big event as a Kindergartner. We got to "meet" her teacher (whose classroom is 100 yards from my office), "meet" her friends (who I do lessons with quite often and my wife already knew most of from church, soccer, or teeball) and "meet" her Principal (who signs my paycheck). But Kendal was as excited as can be and it was an amazing experience to see her want to share EVERYTHING about her daily routine with us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sadly though, after wearing "daddy" hat for a little bit, I had to take it off and put on "School Counselor" hat to meet/ greet all the other parents. And one experience tonight made me think of Occam's Razor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">According to this principle, when introduced with a scenario, the simplest and most expected answer or outcome is the correct one. The old adage states "when you hear hoof-beats behind you, you think horses and not zebras". Yea, both make hoof-beat sounds when running, but it's not very often you see zebras... most people are more familiar with horses. Despite it being most <i>likely</i>, this razor is not truth. Maybe a zebra really is running up on you!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_fQa0t6CGeK2N6zTOw05-sO_X1Oxbma0Wx800jePwDbxl9WYFJ_A-c_hB0Ye5X4Dbn49gDkUZaeyKRmYmGne1mIpjYFyMQ5p2lUZrXuoKMAJ4Y0_u1jctOnLxIoAvJLNltrRSudjEVQ/s1600/zebraa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_fQa0t6CGeK2N6zTOw05-sO_X1Oxbma0Wx800jePwDbxl9WYFJ_A-c_hB0Ye5X4Dbn49gDkUZaeyKRmYmGne1mIpjYFyMQ5p2lUZrXuoKMAJ4Y0_u1jctOnLxIoAvJLNltrRSudjEVQ/s200/zebraa.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And tonight I had a zebra run up on me! A parent came up to me who seemed very determined to talk. I LOVE having opportunities to meet with parents so this was not unusual. However, usually I get horses (my student is being bad, fix my student, why won't my student sit still, you need to see my student daily, etc.). So, I straighten my school counselor "hat" and prepared for her discussion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What I got was a mother determined to <i>thank me</i> for what I do. She was grateful for the grief group I ran last year for my 4th graders. Her son as in that group after his grandfather (the mom's father) passed away. Her and I proceeded to talk for almost 20 minutes about her son, her father's death, and the impact it had on the family. As we know, it is almost impossible to console someone else when we ourselves are grieving. What could she say to her sons while her heart was also breaking? How could she help him through the stages of grief when she didn't know what stage she herself was in? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I prepared myself for a horse and what I got was a zebra, coming up to me with her heart in her hands thanking me for getting her son through his first family loss. Because of that group, he no longer blamed his mom for the death, his grades improved, he had a closer group of friends that were going through the same stages. That group helped heal him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">TALK ABOUT HAVING YOUR OWN BUCKET FILLED! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I went into Counseling because my Granny passed away when I was in 3rd grade about all I remember of that loss was the Counselor at my Elementary School. She helped me and I am now able to pay that forward and help him and more just like him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You will have people tell you that it "must be nice to sit around and play with kids all day". Or that what you do doesn't matter like teaching math or reading matters. Or you'll have people wonder why you are constantly pulling kids out of their reading block. Or get upset when you won't share what kids tell you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am here to say that what you do DOES matter. It matters to your students. To their families. It mattered to that mother and her sons. You matter. So Keep Calm because you are a School Counselor and you do help!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-77351861536251561622013-08-22T18:58:00.000-07:002013-08-22T18:59:10.287-07:00And the nominees are...<span style="font-size: large;">I can't believe it! After a week-long hiatus from the Feedly world (and Twitter, and Facebook, and everything it seems since the start of school) I just realized I was nominated for an award!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What award you ask? Oscar? Tony? CMA Award? Best Nope... even better!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Allison at <a href="http://counselingcorner-allison.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Counseling Corner</a> nominated me for the Liebster Award! *duhn-duh-duh-DUUHHNNNN*!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfKFKy7SgGS6Q66xdCcRPjDgC7JvqAv0zd6b869HsRaqmEBDrlm0UNNIYeopxgPsQn0uSPfDTQT_d_osc5CJjno4nPhzsiCCq6ZKr4jGvL9nqO1Lv751edXy64imoiynjf3dkEYeTpdU/s1600/Liebster+Award!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXfKFKy7SgGS6Q66xdCcRPjDgC7JvqAv0zd6b869HsRaqmEBDrlm0UNNIYeopxgPsQn0uSPfDTQT_d_osc5CJjno4nPhzsiCCq6ZKr4jGvL9nqO1Lv751edXy64imoiynjf3dkEYeTpdU/s1600/Liebster+Award!.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For anyone who doesn't know what the esteemed Liebster Award is (like I didn't until I Googled it) ... it is an award given to new Bloggers who have less than 200 followers. While I would LOVE to have over 200 followers, I am SO honored and excited for my blog to have been acknowledged! My German speaking friends will be impressed with my <strike>bilingual skills</strike> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Translating skills</span><span style="font-size: large;"> when I say that Liebster is German for sweetest, dearest, most beloved,, kindest, cutest (yep :) and most welcoming. And isn't that what Blogging is all about? Connecting and welcoming new people and new ideas?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rules:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Link back to who nominated me. √</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Answer the questions chosen by who nominated you...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 1:What advice would you give new bloggers?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Find your niche. EVERYBODY has something to offer. Don't feel bad if your blog doesn't look like someone else's sound like someone else's or have as many followers. Odds are, if you are searching for a perfect blog to follow that tailors to your needs, someone else is too! WHY WAIT FOR THEIR BLOG?? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 2: How do you use technology in your counseling program?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well... that is up and coming. Since I have two schools and two offices, I have two desktop computers. Last year when I started, they offered me a laptop... but since it looked like Bill Gates' prototype and was about 74 lbs., I decided I didn't want another thing to carry around. I got Dropbox and have been fine ever since. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">However, this year we have made STRIDES! I am IN LOVE with <a href="http://www.google.com/drive/about.html?usp=ad_search&gclid=CL_DtuKqkrkCFfE-Mgod4loAjg" target="_blank">Google Drive</a>. I don't use it for storage but for ALL my forms. I transferred the district Referral for Counseling into a Google Form, my student notes, collaboration notes, parent contact notes... ALL Google Forms! See the post <a href="http://afellowschoolcounselor.blogspot.com/2013/07/just-lazy-tech-filled-sunday.html" target="_blank">here</a> for more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 3: What is your Number 1 go-to resource at school?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Pinterest </strike>... <strike>YouTube </strike>... <strike>Tagboard </strike>... <strike>Instagram </strike>... Our District internet has most things blocked :( So I like to rock it old school! I like grabbing four or five old activity books, sitting on the floor and putting new twists to old ideas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 4: If you could only have 5 books in your office, which ones would you choose?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-Favorite-Seuss-Bakers-Classic/dp/0375810617/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377219997&sr=8-1&keywords=bakers+dozen+dr+seuss" target="_blank">The Baker's Dozen Dr. Seuss book</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">b) a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+shannon&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Adavid+shannon" target="_blank">David</a> compilation book</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">c) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Something-Else-Kathryn-Cave/dp/1572555637/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1377220130&sr=8-3&keywords=something+else" target="_blank">Something Else</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">d) My Grief Workbook</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">e) <a href="http://www.schoolcounselor.org/store_product.asp?prodid=339" target="_blank">The ASCA National Model</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 5: What are your favorite school counseling blogs?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I currently have 28 school counselor blogs in my Feedly (which I LOVE by the way!)... seriously how do I choose? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 6: What are your favorite blogs that are not work related?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I actually don't have any other blogs that I read.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 7: What small group resource do you find most helpful?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">GAMES! Jenga is my favorite! I love my Grief Workbook and anything that elicits discussion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 8: What book are you currently reading?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I actually have three. I always have my original copy of Alice in Wonderland in my car to read if I am waiting for something. I am reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Second-Messiah-A-Thriller/dp/1451672837" target="_blank">The Second Messiah</a> which I got for my birthday and carry with me in my messenger bag. And I am reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Love-Time-Cholera-Oprahs-Book/dp/0307389731/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377220838&sr=1-1&keywords=love+in+the+time+of+cholera" target="_blank">Love In The Time Of Cholera</a> because I am ALWAYS reading that book! It is one of my favorites and I recommend it to everyone!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 9: What is the best part of your job?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Seeing students grow. I worked in Community Mental Health for 6 years before becoming a school counselor. There, I saw so many clients become stagnant and never grow, never progress. These students are developing, changing, growing, and learning and I LOVE IT!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 10: What apps do you recommend?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Feedly (for blogs), CloudOn (to edit Word/ Excel on the iPad), Dropbox (storage), ClassDojo (depending on how many classrooms you are in), Bubble Wrap (because come on, duh!), The Electric Company Feel Electric! (best emotion app ever!), Mr.PotatoHead (oh yea), and Kid In Story (lets you write stories with student pics in it).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 11: What do you do to "sharpen your saw" (for fun).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have two kiddos (5 and 3), a black lab, we foster labs, we have a guines pig and two outside cats. We LOVE music and dancing and having fun outside. We participate in Awana at our church, Vacation Bible School, Trunk or Treat, and JAM Sessions. Plus watching Downton Abby, Dr. Who, Sherlock, Big Brother, Rizzoli & Isles, Warehouse 13, Switched At Birth, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I must now nominate blogs who have fewer than 200 people... however I apparently have <i>no</i> idea how to determine how many followers a blog has. So I am choosing:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://hanselorthecounselor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Hanselor The Counselor</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://schoolcounselorcompanion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">School Counselor Companion</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://okcounselorscrossing.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">OK Counselor's Crossing</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* <a href="http://www.counselorsoffice.org/" target="_blank">From The Counselor's Office</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Questions to answer are:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1) Where did you attend for your Masters? Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2) How many students do you service?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">3) Favorite part of your office?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">4) One time you failed and how you learned from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">5) Describe a typical day (I know... typical day... school counselor... NO SUCH THING!)- do your best!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">6) Favorite lesson you do with your students?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">7) How do you keep track of student records (ie: paper, electronically, Post-It's)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">8) Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter? Why?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">9) Something you have <strike>stolen</strike> found inspiration from off Pinterest?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">10) What are you currently reading?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Again, I want to thank Allison for the nomination! As always, happy reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-14371033777727397382013-08-15T18:38:00.000-07:002013-08-15T18:38:13.452-07:00I won! and now a Student Wins!!<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Backstory:</b> Living in the Midwest, we have festivals like you wouldn't believe! We have the Popcorn Festival, Apple Festival, Art and Music Festival (aka Dirt Fest), BBQ Festival... and the list goes on! But most importantly, we are home to the Covered Bridge Festival. Now, if you have never visited Indiana and been part of the Covered Bridge Festival, you are seriously missing out. You can get crafts, rugs, ukuleles, egg-stractors, and deep fried ANYTHING- all around a historic Covered Bridge. Check it out <a href="http://www.coveredbridges.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last year, my wife visited a booth run by an AMAZING woman named Sarah Stogsdill who hand-stamps metal and creates some pretty cool things. Her business is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeizeTheNight" target="_blank">SeizeTheNight Designs</a> and she has a LOT of neat necklaces, key-chains, rings, cuff links, etc. ALL HAND MADE! At the festival last year, my wife got a necklace with our kids' names on it:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDcDrK4MNPFqyw2KkpfNn0oVv7ipMH1i-92KD_fmNd6Sz2PVilhZvzGl2yZ6pE3R9k_n4IhOjW3nQY39Yc-wocQZKTU4LEnq5nSdI-wFe5R0sAPESDoa4Qglf5XGlq_npK-34PL7nRiY/s1600/Mandy+iPhone+Oct+2012+1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDcDrK4MNPFqyw2KkpfNn0oVv7ipMH1i-92KD_fmNd6Sz2PVilhZvzGl2yZ6pE3R9k_n4IhOjW3nQY39Yc-wocQZKTU4LEnq5nSdI-wFe5R0sAPESDoa4Qglf5XGlq_npK-34PL7nRiY/s1600/Mandy+iPhone+Oct+2012+1556.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and earlier this year I was able to order a key-chain from her with our two kids' name on it and a charm with our Heavenly daughter's name (lost in April) on a separate disk with angel wings:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDjFJO0RR5mzWAKp8svl-L5Hm796Y1juSTlb23Z0nS-NrHVfgflrpRcShPk8N31sXXpKmWngytF12XZvXUM8tlTOJuLWf9PqU8U86x_uPrxE_w_d7wObMBykK_B0e5hTDQCXSgC9QrcE/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDjFJO0RR5mzWAKp8svl-L5Hm796Y1juSTlb23Z0nS-NrHVfgflrpRcShPk8N31sXXpKmWngytF12XZvXUM8tlTOJuLWf9PqU8U86x_uPrxE_w_d7wObMBykK_B0e5hTDQCXSgC9QrcE/s320/IMG_0982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Fast Forward to today:</b> Sarah had a contest on her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SeizeTheNightDesigns" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> with this as the prize:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRnNgMBggUV1CYO1Azrx9F1jFgXyJKu56qf37KQwfI6AMrERgr2gHfzDLhiAe9ijcBo-4Dv7G0kYvq3JqVJN762fy3cCNvSxE_VMlXlMqC2SgVUaQqi-qf_5ycc4P7hcxIBEfmdqwiSQ/s1600/heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRnNgMBggUV1CYO1Azrx9F1jFgXyJKu56qf37KQwfI6AMrERgr2gHfzDLhiAe9ijcBo-4Dv7G0kYvq3JqVJN762fy3cCNvSxE_VMlXlMqC2SgVUaQqi-qf_5ycc4P7hcxIBEfmdqwiSQ/s320/heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and guess who has two thumbs and won??? Yep, ME! Now, the other half of my heart is not deployed... she's laying on the couch watching Big Brother. But, I know we have a student who has a parent who is currently deployed and is having a hard time with it. So guess what... they're getting the necklace! I can't wait to get it and pass it on to my student. I want them to know they're not alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you done anything for that <i>one</i> student having a hard time? I hope so!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-51887137098142935882013-08-15T05:07:00.000-07:002013-08-15T05:07:41.296-07:00(Second) First Day Back :)<span style="font-size: large;">This past week has been CCRRAAZZYY!! And it's a true sign that I have found what I want to do for the rest of my life because, despite being CCRRAAZZYY I have LLLOOOVVVEEEDDD every minute of it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our schools started last week and, since I split two schools, I was only able to be at one on the first day. So, the next day, I had my SECOND first day back (at my Wildcat School).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I got to pop into classrooms, do some meetings, meet some parents who <i>just quite</i> couldn't let go of their babies, talk with teachers, and unveil some NEW <strike>alien technology</strike> (well, more like Google Docs) that the counselor is going to use. And, I am STILL finding awesome things I want to unveil thanks to you great folks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will have another post coming soon, but first I wanted to show you all the results of my Wildcats Office.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnowbuz0zRWxcreHeZ_7c4uSyVxZpkIpgbxwWSVzEAstlyumhyphenhyphena-xTXqdY01Oh9QdapLEbuM0_JRxedqNAQ2i2WcfCKqJbwrURZhCSV-P3bRCTrIXoJNV1gf4ygfDXHiQ5utExU8SqfI/s1600/GV+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnowbuz0zRWxcreHeZ_7c4uSyVxZpkIpgbxwWSVzEAstlyumhyphenhyphena-xTXqdY01Oh9QdapLEbuM0_JRxedqNAQ2i2WcfCKqJbwrURZhCSV-P3bRCTrIXoJNV1gf4ygfDXHiQ5utExU8SqfI/s320/GV+1.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was looking in my door before.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMRk7Cl3WmumB6_sAZzIXYSSn8lfkPUIG3i7cnXe2_FAggVyuD25e-QPFU1NK_dSdshS-1dQ6hcyp56JcWt3TrQgq2ZBpDLRsc7jzHbaz0y-oN2LnrM79aXCy5M4bl5O-5tsmRq6Izvk/s1600/GV+1b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMRk7Cl3WmumB6_sAZzIXYSSn8lfkPUIG3i7cnXe2_FAggVyuD25e-QPFU1NK_dSdshS-1dQ6hcyp56JcWt3TrQgq2ZBpDLRsc7jzHbaz0y-oN2LnrM79aXCy5M4bl5O-5tsmRq6Izvk/s320/GV+1b.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is looking in my door now! Notice I have a lot of the same things at one office that I have at the other office (Chill Out Corner, pictures, posters, etc.)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYlQwbEUPyX0ktquhHCWMQZn680OozJ1mDb4ZuzlIDTkcQTPvxSX2gzrc5t3_zbMsKTzG34rOX_g2OtFikpJ8ODfwDMxaaFc0V49nL4K7iD4u2jhMuW-tLjsUL4HldC-6gc1W6QfScFk/s1600/GV+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYlQwbEUPyX0ktquhHCWMQZn680OozJ1mDb4ZuzlIDTkcQTPvxSX2gzrc5t3_zbMsKTzG34rOX_g2OtFikpJ8ODfwDMxaaFc0V49nL4K7iD4u2jhMuW-tLjsUL4HldC-6gc1W6QfScFk/s320/GV+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is where my desk was. I probably moved it around 4 times last year because I could NEVER get it how I wanted it.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLgZsoBpNn_nhdGcnf8Nmqn-9M6sw_2Y52ROKA9oqTybfeT2LksXR5B1-n_0e_DfWb-JhKuoKxNMneu0xMRsD8jMuE5AweN14vqIglqTW881dQqRjvI2HyK-XqdGBMNUDSUJzKDPyFMw/s1600/GV+2b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLgZsoBpNn_nhdGcnf8Nmqn-9M6sw_2Y52ROKA9oqTybfeT2LksXR5B1-n_0e_DfWb-JhKuoKxNMneu0xMRsD8jMuE5AweN14vqIglqTW881dQqRjvI2HyK-XqdGBMNUDSUJzKDPyFMw/s320/GV+2b.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Well now, my desk isn't even on that wall! I wanted people to see a little more friendliness than the back of my head!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTVr3GbRo86h6cPWIeMAuy4htpG6BNwFtLrE_ZF65_X5B8bksXzV3dbPhgT-cPvMzVGVBTUkpsc8LOICxEaKZCwoiysWPn8-7lihw-LiY6OOzC9fbiQ2GixBzy9qDx7tV58ZrfJCYddI/s1600/GV+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTVr3GbRo86h6cPWIeMAuy4htpG6BNwFtLrE_ZF65_X5B8bksXzV3dbPhgT-cPvMzVGVBTUkpsc8LOICxEaKZCwoiysWPn8-7lihw-LiY6OOzC9fbiQ2GixBzy9qDx7tV58ZrfJCYddI/s320/GV+3.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My giant cabinet (that I love) but it took up a lot of room right there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9pJL0bIO2QJ3DOgtj0FDXuS_zF5iewbZNSeQ_TN4MPoZUVZzvklqNKzAY3TsxF1Lm-plyB4s8WW6M6JYufb-MaKBAI5Pk0Qu-_axFoVAdByYe6K7jQVuFSj7I2rvV1DU-OEjG9v9Rhs/s1600/GV+3b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9pJL0bIO2QJ3DOgtj0FDXuS_zF5iewbZNSeQ_TN4MPoZUVZzvklqNKzAY3TsxF1Lm-plyB4s8WW6M6JYufb-MaKBAI5Pk0Qu-_axFoVAdByYe6K7jQVuFSj7I2rvV1DU-OEjG9v9Rhs/s320/GV+3b.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">So I moved my desk there. Now I can see out the door at who is coming, confidential info isn't available for someone to see over my shoulder, and I have a whole wall for a command center. This is not done (obviously) since IT had to come and give me a longer cable, and the wall is kinda blank... but that will change!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxDDrJUFxEgE8qHop1hMBo-FZu0lA0E4qHDT6lgu_5TQXwuEk8B0P7BHV8xqqvhwDQnGMHq5bOJIDAzbEBJIPX-_gEfUnGHJGVE1dxYn-jFajvdugeB0oAH_N4xx9oc2oYD1mpLEZOBQ/s1600/GV+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxDDrJUFxEgE8qHop1hMBo-FZu0lA0E4qHDT6lgu_5TQXwuEk8B0P7BHV8xqqvhwDQnGMHq5bOJIDAzbEBJIPX-_gEfUnGHJGVE1dxYn-jFajvdugeB0oAH_N4xx9oc2oYD1mpLEZOBQ/s320/GV+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I actually kinda hate these built-ins because they take up SO much room and our Media Specialist uses most of the space.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Btu5eI5T0rALyuv1ztDirIML_-2TDPK7CR_OASxNGqFVxFCYQjEgEyHHt7pulpMHe2K9f1sO6nxmYh9rqt-h0rP_icsHppa-nb1wOptHAbtfa-kOjgexCKNKgvMI0XqmR-I86nNJkT0/s1600/GV+4b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Btu5eI5T0rALyuv1ztDirIML_-2TDPK7CR_OASxNGqFVxFCYQjEgEyHHt7pulpMHe2K9f1sO6nxmYh9rqt-h0rP_icsHppa-nb1wOptHAbtfa-kOjgexCKNKgvMI0XqmR-I86nNJkT0/s320/GV+4b.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, she let me take one of the cabinets down and I moved the giant cabinet over there. And luckily because once I got it over there I only had about 4 inches of space to wiggle it in! Plus the Media Specialist cleaned out some cabinets and let me use them for crafty things, games, and supplies!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1VAC_CUj-OIJ_ogXJP_WWH31FdFhQjlnUQn4L2J9oebAfiUYOcfopY03i7Zxw17aa9gsoIQU-5a59Kylbvkgd7j-SSl1gsLTeo11UzExz9B15kJxDFan5xqdrPUfMN833IdzI0ZKD1s/s1600/GV+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1VAC_CUj-OIJ_ogXJP_WWH31FdFhQjlnUQn4L2J9oebAfiUYOcfopY03i7Zxw17aa9gsoIQU-5a59Kylbvkgd7j-SSl1gsLTeo11UzExz9B15kJxDFan5xqdrPUfMN833IdzI0ZKD1s/s320/GV+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my bookshelf where I have my themed books, some games, fidget toys, etc. My board games used to be on the bottom shelf but I ran out of room so they are now in the bottom built-in cabinet.<br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So this is home away from home half the time. On piece of advice that has saved me a TON of time. I have a lot of books that I need available NOW. And when they were all just chillin' on my shelf, I never could find the one I needed. Our Title I department gave me about 20 cardboard banker boxes. All I did was wrap them in colored paper, make a label on the computer, and sorted the books. There's also a picture on the labels so kids know what's in them.</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, those are my offices. We don't have a lot of extra resources in our district... we have a very high poverty rate, VERY high F&R Lunch rate, etc... but our offices don't have to look like that! It's not an excuse to make your office a dungeon lol- I want my offices to be a safe, warm, inviting place for students to come and lay their burdens down. I hope you do too!</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, have a great day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1796544065806168332.post-52333660090200879882013-08-07T18:54:00.000-07:002013-08-07T18:54:32.408-07:00First Day Back!!- and an office full of pictures!<span style="font-size: large;">Today was my first day back at Falcons... and it was FANTASTIC! Maybe part of it was seeing my little girl walking the halls in line, with "duck tails" in back and a "bubble in the mouth" :) But seeing ALL the little girls and boys (and not so little 5th and 6th graders!). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Most of my day was spent just helping out where needed (helping Kindergarten with pictures, drying tears and consoling parents, popping into classroom to say "hey", collaborating with teachers about setting up lessons, doing "Car Rider's Duty", etc.). I LOVED seeing the kids and I loved having them see me! While that sounds a little conceited, I think having some consistency is very important for them and giving a ton of hugs, hi-fives, and fist bumps was very encouraging. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">However, I did get a chance to snap some pictures of my finished Falcons office! Well... I say "finished" loosely because I always end up adding things but all-in-all I am pretty happy with how it ended up! Here's some before-and-afters for your enjoyment LOL</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSSjm0ZLmH1BRVP0Us2sjmv3oifiVVaVd6LsNj5ItzF-uCDYvvFUKBBOFzJwWfDscVZ4B5g4GagCj8Hj8oF1gCmKWdWWuL0vgQh47v_UpV85793CcvJ9BoD8Lt0OR8csgFKfHx-596gM/s1600/FZ+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSSjm0ZLmH1BRVP0Us2sjmv3oifiVVaVd6LsNj5ItzF-uCDYvvFUKBBOFzJwWfDscVZ4B5g4GagCj8Hj8oF1gCmKWdWWuL0vgQh47v_UpV85793CcvJ9BoD8Lt0OR8csgFKfHx-596gM/s320/FZ+1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking in the door- remember this is after Maintenance moved everything in so most the furniture was put where I wanted up</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl6pXUThdEVJSGptazUcuhEyZ0DfTyAuqwd05nlOSwhTmzCmiFPNDRbsbSkqsi1OMYmr3M8NlXWo5lGQvx13yj82xpM4Qf6Mp5iQRb3PcB373A2Byv440KRr0AD3x9K2-iW8AgkZN92c/s1600/FZ+1b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixl6pXUThdEVJSGptazUcuhEyZ0DfTyAuqwd05nlOSwhTmzCmiFPNDRbsbSkqsi1OMYmr3M8NlXWo5lGQvx13yj82xpM4Qf6Mp5iQRb3PcB373A2Byv440KRr0AD3x9K2-iW8AgkZN92c/s320/FZ+1b.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is looking in the door AFTER! </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A2HWj-qPDqGkn9jKGMDxWxEF4wLyvu9eJsngLEGhsd2ovXg1eEmfP73zwu32lUqJ4-yf3wJo2yLTHiHzuYlJb18q-ZQ_FlVLc1Mpp010Qg4CvsPHmXVtgKSy9kLG6pmsNxBnQxMTtq8/s1600/FZ+1c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5A2HWj-qPDqGkn9jKGMDxWxEF4wLyvu9eJsngLEGhsd2ovXg1eEmfP73zwu32lUqJ4-yf3wJo2yLTHiHzuYlJb18q-ZQ_FlVLc1Mpp010Qg4CvsPHmXVtgKSy9kLG6pmsNxBnQxMTtq8/s320/FZ+1c.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a close-up of my book shelf and filing cabinet. My books are sorted by topic, making it easier to find what I need. I usually tun most metal cabinets into faux bulletin boards :) On my filing cabinet is my "ABC's of Emotions" that I bought at ASCA in PA!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5jlKqfc0VZmMZVyNBBkj1Bm1WJVsGFZ9HhLXFDKvc9SogcW4iylMLni7gfWtEuDKA0v6tsayLEaONyefyM6fRwY5eFRbMDA8_oJR1RfTjkaLDOCkYw0hpuFr8yaHdf9Tw7GOv2zAels/s1600/FZ+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5jlKqfc0VZmMZVyNBBkj1Bm1WJVsGFZ9HhLXFDKvc9SogcW4iylMLni7gfWtEuDKA0v6tsayLEaONyefyM6fRwY5eFRbMDA8_oJR1RfTjkaLDOCkYw0hpuFr8yaHdf9Tw7GOv2zAels/s320/FZ+2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is my meeting area BEFORE...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX52hLK282kCnJmMwnpjgmU2VzeU-8sf4RH9evX3szGZ0SyaJtDIh1-NQRJIWdFy2Fb3CnEVi-OGlKsQYZ1lmdOSdxqosQWQ4_fYcOjDPB737aHrOdcWXsnOJU_C5A37uLC1_eNAo_TU/s1600/FZ+2b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX52hLK282kCnJmMwnpjgmU2VzeU-8sf4RH9evX3szGZ0SyaJtDIh1-NQRJIWdFy2Fb3CnEVi-OGlKsQYZ1lmdOSdxqosQWQ4_fYcOjDPB737aHrOdcWXsnOJU_C5A37uLC1_eNAo_TU/s320/FZ+2b.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And After--- Maintenance hung my cabinet so I have crafty stuff, paper, colored paper, markers, crayons, etc. in it. This stuff I use most often in sessions.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ikfTXgKpwGrC9UxZ0QBFna8IstlR2ziUZRNIBmtVTc9TkXP1DWREi7IVKK_J8wOFfNMonAzi-OMO2plh46pAie70ZeY1o0xyyd7C9spoeGNR-Xp9XR-_3z8TTZcSw7VmoWmV39e1GPY/s1600/FZ+2c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ikfTXgKpwGrC9UxZ0QBFna8IstlR2ziUZRNIBmtVTc9TkXP1DWREi7IVKK_J8wOFfNMonAzi-OMO2plh46pAie70ZeY1o0xyyd7C9spoeGNR-Xp9XR-_3z8TTZcSw7VmoWmV39e1GPY/s320/FZ+2c.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This table has floated around our house for YEARS... so I confiscated it and brought it in for a touch of home. Don't mind the missing lamp shade (I actually found the lamp in our old boiler room at the school covered in dust and debris)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf51N5tzzxpyNxrX5TXqB-ijPhwcBl7r2OPZPFV47Z7xMsWrW5u2HDzniTz-kCb6ZabdUUHoYSSKU3d4tQgfiLZibkZtWYnJ9J-7noTEZNSkqn2X4MQodGeqC79-M2oU1o3dtCF9sgbQ/s1600/FZ+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf51N5tzzxpyNxrX5TXqB-ijPhwcBl7r2OPZPFV47Z7xMsWrW5u2HDzniTz-kCb6ZabdUUHoYSSKU3d4tQgfiLZibkZtWYnJ9J-7noTEZNSkqn2X4MQodGeqC79-M2oU1o3dtCF9sgbQ/s320/FZ+3.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My cabinet with binders, lessons, counselor books, etc. Before-</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANn6tGRbO3hFJqqG1_qAm8bjyDxUUB85u0JOuCrXsLgkkNJul5kKiWL4bsbEHTYnqCPzvOg0joBeRoMKAcz8GS4DlHNJhgFaMTgvx2o1hZB6RDHAYJL3ukGfMw0SAfM5_4PbJbipOsjg/s1600/FZ+3a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANn6tGRbO3hFJqqG1_qAm8bjyDxUUB85u0JOuCrXsLgkkNJul5kKiWL4bsbEHTYnqCPzvOg0joBeRoMKAcz8GS4DlHNJhgFaMTgvx2o1hZB6RDHAYJL3ukGfMw0SAfM5_4PbJbipOsjg/s320/FZ+3a.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And after... My door says "COUNSELING" and has my "Where's Mr. Allen" map on it. The orange sign says "CONNECT". I also now have a sign regarding confidentiality on it (but took the picture before I hung it up)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlsPx-ODMQuhLLhHmW5NqQzfx9UIgoezZrSpy0QTc-ZU_G6HMQl3M5FatYBRgMarvXRnsVjFzMaEUsuATJKS3U_Ce9c2q3mSMF1xIGZSVE1-m8bB_o7Vy9592eOUQ2NsFFQ2Erua7_lA/s1600/FZ+3b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlsPx-ODMQuhLLhHmW5NqQzfx9UIgoezZrSpy0QTc-ZU_G6HMQl3M5FatYBRgMarvXRnsVjFzMaEUsuATJKS3U_Ce9c2q3mSMF1xIGZSVE1-m8bB_o7Vy9592eOUQ2NsFFQ2Erua7_lA/s320/FZ+3b.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And behind the door... You can also see my "Chill Out Corner" with ideas posted on the wall of things students can do when they need to "chill out".</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29cMzHLhrZvxHWnRmK-dISAr4guIFAKqfcBDt-PUVF3rzUC8HEcYGtcDvx7pXuGHWNiqAow0Zdz62bs53gypa1uzNv2QaPrLqsnPgmYMkGSVN6XmI02THDN9UE_FgMh9_59IlDJTR6xo/s1600/FZ+3c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29cMzHLhrZvxHWnRmK-dISAr4guIFAKqfcBDt-PUVF3rzUC8HEcYGtcDvx7pXuGHWNiqAow0Zdz62bs53gypa1uzNv2QaPrLqsnPgmYMkGSVN6XmI02THDN9UE_FgMh9_59IlDJTR6xo/s320/FZ+3c.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I really liked this :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv7EewVyKCKspQdZt8ztk_UvDyrCXyBbWg91_Yyxf1OLEkzdtMq3_-n_kWcDjKxH-L3x7VCPBF1FeIjo0r07gCzZ2TCUfZCgb_f0eEi2oV36cU-6tq_PhE_l3zcEMkpt3yr7jIZNa7HY/s1600/FZ+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv7EewVyKCKspQdZt8ztk_UvDyrCXyBbWg91_Yyxf1OLEkzdtMq3_-n_kWcDjKxH-L3x7VCPBF1FeIjo0r07gCzZ2TCUfZCgb_f0eEi2oV36cU-6tq_PhE_l3zcEMkpt3yr7jIZNa7HY/s320/FZ+4.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is my command center</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_qMOA9Zx45sxz-HfTCjaWfAiL-nBF8pqFRhtGwfo4EVAMO12Ror4BeG8RhRh1hP2uMBixNmtwfKGitsEI4N8bWVLhtQdn4lIfcvwNpPH57GMu2OYU4RFcMUR7dLz1LaFwNG3yh5opvY/s1600/FZ+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_qMOA9Zx45sxz-HfTCjaWfAiL-nBF8pqFRhtGwfo4EVAMO12Ror4BeG8RhRh1hP2uMBixNmtwfKGitsEI4N8bWVLhtQdn4lIfcvwNpPH57GMu2OYU4RFcMUR7dLz1LaFwNG3yh5opvY/s320/FZ+5.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along with my bulletin board with useful information on it!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So there you have it! My office is done and full of color thanks to influence from all of you and my wife (who bought most the stuff for me). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow is my first day back at my Wildcats school... so I will be posting again later this week with stories and pictures of how <i>that</i> office turned out! If you have any ideas or suggestions, let me know!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">-JW</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00875817484470078690noreply@blogger.com2