Classroom Counselor Lessons
One of my favorite parts of being a school counselor is teaching counselor lessons. This is a time that I get to reach the whole school and proactively teach the students about a variety of topics. I always look forward to this part of my day. Typically, I will teach a 30 minute lesson to each class once every 2 weeks. Some weeks vary due to other school events. All the lessons meet the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program Content Standards and Grade Level Expectations.
5th Grade - Riding the Waves lessons
The focus of the lessons is on identifying sources of stress and learning healthy ways of coping. These lessons are educational—not therapeutic—and will be done with the entire class.
Lessons were developed by professionals with many years of experience in youth suicide prevention. While they do not directly address suicide, they were built on the premise that having healthy social and coping skills in one’s “toolbox” can help when life presents its challenges and hardships. As the preteen and teenage years approach, we are aware that many 5th grade children begin to describe more academic and social pressures in anticipation of their transition to middle school. Occasionally they worry about their friends’ behavior and wonder what to do and who to talk with. We believe these lessons will provide the students with practical coping skills, like journaling, progressive muscle relaxation, and “belly breathing.” A couple of lessons will emphasize how to be a supportive friend, as well as the importance of asking an adult for help when your usual coping skills aren’t working.
After each lesson your child will be given a handout to bring home, which provides a short summary of what was taught and suggestions for continuing the conversation about healthy coping and social skills at home. As always, I welcome your feedback. If you have individual questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Key Concepts
• Everyone experiences stress
• Learning to use healthy ways of coping with stress and depression
• When coping skills are not working, it is important to seek help
• Asking for help is a smart thing to do
• Youth can recognize when their friends are stressed and offer support
Learning Targets
Each lesson has its own learning targets, but overall the student will be better able to:
• Identify sources of stress
• Pick and utilize a healthy coping strategy when experiencing stress
• Identify resources for help at school and in the community
Lesson 1: Intro to RIDING THE WAVES & Intro to Emotions
Lesson 2: Understanding Depression
Lesson 3: Affirmations
Lesson 4: Belly Breathing and Using Imagination
Lesson 5: Journaling
Lesson 6: Laughing
Lesson 7: Positive Problem Solving
Lesson 8: Positive Self-Talk
Lesson 9: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Lesson 10: Talking About Feelings
Lesson 11: Helping a Friend: Non-Nosey Questions
Lesson 12: Helping a Friend: Going to Adults
Lessons were developed by professionals with many years of experience in youth suicide prevention. While they do not directly address suicide, they were built on the premise that having healthy social and coping skills in one’s “toolbox” can help when life presents its challenges and hardships. As the preteen and teenage years approach, we are aware that many 5th grade children begin to describe more academic and social pressures in anticipation of their transition to middle school. Occasionally they worry about their friends’ behavior and wonder what to do and who to talk with. We believe these lessons will provide the students with practical coping skills, like journaling, progressive muscle relaxation, and “belly breathing.” A couple of lessons will emphasize how to be a supportive friend, as well as the importance of asking an adult for help when your usual coping skills aren’t working.
After each lesson your child will be given a handout to bring home, which provides a short summary of what was taught and suggestions for continuing the conversation about healthy coping and social skills at home. As always, I welcome your feedback. If you have individual questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Key Concepts
• Everyone experiences stress
• Learning to use healthy ways of coping with stress and depression
• When coping skills are not working, it is important to seek help
• Asking for help is a smart thing to do
• Youth can recognize when their friends are stressed and offer support
Learning Targets
Each lesson has its own learning targets, but overall the student will be better able to:
• Identify sources of stress
• Pick and utilize a healthy coping strategy when experiencing stress
• Identify resources for help at school and in the community
Lesson 1: Intro to RIDING THE WAVES & Intro to Emotions
Lesson 2: Understanding Depression
Lesson 3: Affirmations
Lesson 4: Belly Breathing and Using Imagination
Lesson 5: Journaling
Lesson 6: Laughing
Lesson 7: Positive Problem Solving
Lesson 8: Positive Self-Talk
Lesson 9: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Lesson 10: Talking About Feelings
Lesson 11: Helping a Friend: Non-Nosey Questions
Lesson 12: Helping a Friend: Going to Adults
MO Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Program Content Standards & Grade Level Expectations.pdf | |
File Size: | 126 kb |
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MO Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Program Content Area Strands, Big Ideas & Concepts .pdf | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: |
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence PLUS character—that is the goal of a true education.”- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.