Mrs. Heilman's Counselor Corner

November's SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) focus was using kind language. More specifically, we focused on how to solve conflict with others using kind words. It sometimes feel natural and maybe even justified to use mean words, but we can fix and keep friendships and good working relationships with others if we use kind words. Kindergarten -- Saying, "No." We read a book called, Let's Talk About Saying No. It talked about the right times to say no like when someone (a kid) asks us to do something we don't want to do or shouldn't do. We also talked about a kind way to say no: "No, thank you." "No, but maybe later." "No, my mom/dad/teacher said I shouldn't." We also talked about when we should say, "OK," or "Yes," like when a parent, teacher, or adults asks us to do something we need to do like clean up. To reinforce this lesson, we played the "Yes/No" game where students were asked

Personal space is the amount of space each of us needs to feel comfortable in our surroundings. In October, all grades will be discussing personal space and what it means to them. Third Grade: Learning goal: Students will know what it means to respect others' personal spaces and value their own personal space. Activities: Short videos on personal space, space bubble experiment, and discussion. Second Grade: Learning goal: Students will know situations and people that might cause personal space bubbles to change sizes. Students will also know how to communicate to someone that they would like more space. Activities: Watch "Close Enough!" on YouTube, discuss sizes of space bubbles, how to know you're in someone's space bubble, and how to ask someone to move out of your space bubble. First Grade: Learning goal: Students will learn what personal space bubbles are and why they are important. Activities: Read and discuss Personal Space Camp  by Julia Coo

It's that time of year when we tend to see some separation anxiety. Sometimes, students just show some first day jitters when everything is new. Sometimes, separation anxiety appears when there is a big change in a kid's life. Either way, it's often difficult, even heart breaking, for parents and loved ones to watch their "littles" cry out for them at drop off. Parents, rest assured that usually this is a short-lived phase. In the meantime, here are some tips with easing your student's separation anxiety. Make good-bye routines quick. I recommend parents do the “Hug and Go” – give your student a big hug, say goodbye, and leave. Lingering usually makes the pleas for Mommy or Daddy to stay become more intense. Be consistent. As much as you can, make the drop off to school at the same time every day. Keep your routine the same every day. This predictability will help your child feel safe.    Don’t go back. Returning to the classroom/school to check o

Listening is a very important social skill for children to learn. It's a tool they will use in school for learning, and a tool they will use the rest of their lives. We never stop listening to others! Good listening skills not only help us learn in school, but they also help us keep and make friends and work well with others. For our SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) lessons this month, we will focus on one particular component of listening per grade level. Here is a summary of what we're doing in our lessons: Third Grade Learning goal: Active listening. Active listening shows that you are listening to understand someone else. Activities: Interactive modeling of active listening and in-class practice for students. Second Grade Learning goal: Strengthening listening skills by watching and decoding body language Activities: PowerPoint presentation on how we show body language through our eyes and eyebrows, mouths, hands and arms, legs and feet, and posture; Interpreting

Parents and Important Grownups, Welcome back to school! We're happy to see your students, and we're excited about the new year that stretches before us! I'm excited about getting to know all the students and helping them learn and grow. Speaking of learning and growing, we, teachers, know that learning works best when the new things we learn are supported in many settings. That's why I want to keep you posted on what our social-emotional lessons are about throughout the year. When I first started several years ago, I tried relaying that info home to parents through take-home letters, but that took a lot of paper. I tried writing school newsletter articles, but the articles ended up being too long for a newsletter. So now, I would like to try writing a blog. In this blog, I'll highlight what I am teaching in my school-wide social emotional lessons. I will also have some tips of things you can do at home with your student to encourage them to use these skills. Plea