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Showing posts from May, 2009

What Can Kiwis Teach Us About Tolerance?

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I taught a lesson on tolerance to a group of third and fourth graders. I showed the students a kiwi and asked if anyone could tell me what it was. All of the students had seen and tasted a kiwi before. I asked them what they thought of kiwis when the first saw one. Students gave descriptive words such as "nasty, hairy, and ugly." Since the students have tried kiwis before, I focused the discussion on how it feels to be judged by the outside. Students commented that they felt sad and kind of angry when people judged them by the outside. I asked students what lesson we could learn from kiwis. One student stated that the lesson that we learn from kiwis is "don't judge a book by it's cover." He commented that just because a book may be strange on the outside doesn't mean it isn't a good book. I gave the students an opportunity at the end to have some kiwi fruit that I brought. I also gave the students a bookmark that is pictured. The front reads

How Does Respect Grow?

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How does respect grow? I taught a lesson about respect to a group of fifth graders. I decided to use a flower theme since, it was almost May and "April showers bring May flowers." I made a poster with construction paper letter and flower cut-outs. The message on the poster stated, "How does respect grow?" I brought in a flower and asked students if they could tell me what a flower needs to grow. Some answers included, water, dirt, air, sunlight. I explained to students that just like flowers, people need water, air, and sunlight to grow too.  I asked the students if anyone could tell me what the word "thrive" means. One student stated, "to do really well." I explained that people need food, water, and air to survive, but in order to thrive people need to be treated well and respected. I asked students if they could think of any examples of how they could respect someone else. Some of the answers included, make my mom breakfast, be kind

It's just the beginning...

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I graduated on May 1, 2009 from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania with a Master's of Education in Secondary School Counseling and K-12 Certification. Master's of Education! I truly enjoyed my time as a long-term substitute school counselor. I met so many amazing students, faculty, and staff. I will greatly miss all the wonderful people I worked with. I do not see graduation as the end; it is just the beginning! I am excited for the new experiences and challenges I will experience in the future. Are you a new school counselor? Comment below,  email me ,  tweet , or share on the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page ! Danielle is a K-12 Certified School Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and blogger at  School Counselor Blog , a place where school counselors share innovative ideas,  creative lesson plans,  and quality resources.  Contact Danielle via  email , follow her on  twitter , and become a fan of the  School Counselor Blog Facebook Page .