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What is the role of an elementary school counselor?
What is the role of an elementary school counselor?
- Direct student services including:
- school counseling core curriculum
- instruction – direct instruction, team teaching, developing learning activities
- group activities – planned activities outside the classroom promoting academic, career or social/emotional development
- individual student planning
- appraisal – assist students in evaluating interests abilities, skills and achievement
- advisement – assist students in goal setting based on academic, career and social/emotional data
- responsive services
- counseling – in individual or small group settings school counselors provide planned, short-term and goal-focused counseling. School counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools. However, school counselors are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health needs and assist students and families seeking resources.
- crisis response – provide support and assistance to students and families as they navigate crisis and emergency situations
- school counseling core curriculum
- Indirect student services including:
- consultation – share strategies supporting student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations
- collaboration – work with other educators, parents and the community to support student achievement
- referrals – support for students and families to school or community resources for additional assistance and information
What are some topics an elementary school counselor might cover in class lessons, individual meetings, and group meetings?
Friendships, school work, bullying, grief, divorce, conflict resolution, changes at home, social skills, organization, self-control, careers, character, respect,behavior, responsibilities and many many more.
Activity links:
Career Town - An interactive game to help students explore careers in a virtual neighborhood.
The NED Show - Resources and activities for character education
Mrs. Kindelin's class test taking tips:
Monthly Lesson Plans:
September: Responsibility
- Introduction to responsibility.
- Discuss what we are responsible for at home, school, and other places.
- Decision making and being responsible for our decisions.
- Making excuses vs. taking responsibility for our actions.
- Learning responsibility for our bodies and personal space for the younger grades.
- A final wrap-up lesson on the many topics discussed during the month of September
October: Respect / Bullying Prevention
- Introduction to respect.
- Discussions of bullying prevention.
- How to be an up-stander vs. being a bystander.
- Lessons on respecting other people, self-respect, and respecting property.
- A final wrap-up lesson on the many topics discussed during the month of October.
- NED Up-Standers
November: Citizenship/Digital Citizenship
- Define Citizenship
- What communities do we live in? (ie. family, city, state, school, etc.)
- Discuss how we can make our communities a better place.
- Lessons on how to be a good citizen online
- Be safe, responsible and respectful when online.
- Super digital citizen or Router's Birthday Surprise (Netsmartz Kids)
December: Gratitude/Generosity/Giving
- Understanding the meaning of Giving and Gratitude
- Practice writing Thank You notes
- Write compliment notes and give to a classmate
- Discuss how we can be thankful for our family, friends and homes
- Discussed how we can give things, talents and time to those in need
- Kid President's 25 Reasons to be Thankful!
January: Perseverance/Career Exploration
- Define perseverance
- Discuss things that we are not capable of doing yet and ways we can reach our goals
- Draw a career that interests us and explain steps to obtaining the career
- Growth mindset vs. Fixed mindset
February: Courage/Stranger Safety
- Define Courage
- Discuss ways we can show courage when we are afraid.
- Watch and discuss Safe Side Super Chick and her stranger safety tips
March: Self-Control/Test Anxiety
- Students in K-2 grade will learn ways to control their emotions (frustration, anger, sadness) and actions (interruptions and hands to ourselves)
- Students in 3rd grade will be doing a unit on Bully based on the Weird! books by Erin Frankel and help students to relax/prepare for tests
- Students in 4th grade will circles of control, conflict resolution and help students to relax/prepare for tests.
April: Kindness/Friendships
- First half of April we will be exploring what are characteristics of a good friend and how we can be good friends to others.
- Second half of April we will be exploring acceptance and inclusion of people who are different than us.
- Finally we will be going over how to be kind to ourselves. We will be discussing Put-downs and Put-ups.
Mrs. Holtzapple's class test taking tips:
Community Resources for children and families:
Family Resource Center of Northwest Ohio, Shelby County Community Resources, Auglaize County Community Resources
Related links: Career Exploration games and activities, Netsmartz Kids, Holiday Safety Tips
Additional information: American School Counselor Association
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