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Counselor's Corner Jan. 2015
This month's lesson focused on the Lifeskill of Cooperation, which emphasized ways we can work together to reach a common goal. From group work in the classroom to helping parents at home, we discussed the importance of working together to get the job done.
Guidance Lesson Recap:
Grade K/1- We read the story The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges.This story focused on a little hen needing help running errands, such as getting a pizza pan, ingredients, and other various tasks. When she asked her neighbors to help, they continuously stated that they wouldn't help. Finally after the hen decided to share his pizza, then neighbors choose to help clean up the dishes and cooperate together. Students then discussed many ways we can cooperate here at school and at home.
Grade 2/3- We read the story A Crazy Day at the Critter Cafe by Barnara Odanaka.The story was about a busy day in a caf� with many animals coming in for a meal. The story focused on the workers teaming up together to get the job done. We discussed as a class how to show cooperation with friends, including listening to others ideas during group work and compromising when necessary.
Grade 4/5- Our lesson gave students the opportunity to participate in an activity that required cooperation and was quite challenging. One student had to be able to scoop as many cotton balls in their cup with their eyes closed. The other group members gave verbal directions to help out. As a class, we discussed some of the challenges that can come with cooperation, such as having more than one leader and not understanding what other team member's ideas. We discussed many ways to overcome these challenges and how they can apply to every day life.
Grades 6-8- The students had a chance to discuss the many ways we used the lifeskill of cooperation in our daily lives. From group work, to helping with chores, the students had many great ideas. Students played a game where they formed a single line with their hands connected like a chain. The students were directed to weave a hula-hoop from one end to the other as fast as they can. After the activity, we discussed many strategies that are helpful when it comes to cooperation, such as listening to each other and helping out neighbor.
What to expect this time of year:
With all of the snow days and inconsistent schedules, your child may be struggling with getting back into the routine of school. This time of year it is not uncommon for your child to struggle with staying motivated with schoolwork, but having all of the snow days makes staying motivated much more difficult. Here are some strategies that may help. Setting up a schedule for the day, such as homework time and extra events that come up will help alleviate any anxiety for the day and help your child feel more prepared. Also, a behavior goal chart may help with getting the tasks at hand completed with a reward at the end of the day or week.
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