Guidance Lessons

2023-2024 School Year
May
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. May's topic is Careers. Each grade is using a different book to introduce, expand, or solidify the concept of career to our CBS students. It is never too early to broaden the horizons of the career field for our students!


First: "Whose Hands are These?" This rhyming community helper guess allows students to
guess all the jobs based on the actions of busy working hand. Students expand their knowledge of careers with the introduction of jobs such as a mechanic, potter, news reporter, architect, referee, physician, and many more.

Second: For our older students, we played a "Career Riddles" game. Students were able to guess career titles based on a description and image of the career. Our students learned many new jobs such as architect, author, barber, carpenter, electrician, paramedic, mayor, pharmacist, surgeon and many more!
April
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. April's topic is Power to Choose. We focused on growth, and our ability to improve our lives by using the Power to Choose wisely. We can all make poor choices sometimes, but our ultimate power lies in our ability to choose what’s right over what’s easy, and to constantly seek to improve ourselves and the world around us through the choices we make.

Kindergarten: In Kindergarten, we read "What Should Danny Do?". This book is an innovative, interactive book that empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days, and ultimately their lives into what they will be. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style, the book follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he faces choices that kids face on a daily basis. As the students navigated through the different story lines, they began to realize that their choices for Danny shaped his day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves can shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.

First: First graders read 'What Should Darla Do?". Darla is a young and spunky astronaut-in-training who
wants to Mars one day but, to do so, she’ll need to practice using her Power to Choose wisely. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” format, students helped
Darla through her day by making choices for her! As the students navigated through the different story lines, they began to realize that their choices for Darla shaped her day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves can shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.

March
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. March's topic is Self-Esteem. For some students, self-esteem in the classroom comes naturally. They tackle new materials head on and know how to get their points across. For some students, the day-to-day requirements of school can cause anxiety and frustration. This month, we focused on encouraging students to feel proud of their abilities and accomplishments.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten students celebrated their unique strengths and skills by creating a St. Patrick’s Day Self-Esteem Craft.






Second: Second graders read "The Good Egg", a witty adventure full of great messages about the importance of balance, self-care, and acceptance of self and others. Students were able to create a 'Self Care and Positive Affirmation Surprise Egg'!
February
Kindergarten: students participated in a special activity where they created their own spot of kindness! Look how amazing they turned out!




January
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. January's topic is Conflict Resolution.
Kindergarten: During our lessons, Kindergarteners were introduced to the topic of an "I-Message". I-Messages are used to communicate your feelings in a calm and effective way. Our students are learning to use their words instead of their bodies to communicate their feelings! Way to go Kindergarteners! An I-Message works in three steps:




First: During our lesson first graders expanded on their knowledge on an I-Message. We began by talking about the difference between big and small problems. Big problems require adult help and we brain stormed trusted adults at school and at home that they could go to in the case of a big problem.
We then spoke about small problems and how it is important to try and resolve a conflict peacefully on your own at first. One way to try and solve a problem on your own is to use an I-Message. Students had the opportunity to act out how to use an I-Message with other classmates. This helped them to solidify the concept and understand what scenarios require using your words to solve a problem.





December
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. December's topic is Bullying Prevention.
We had a coloring contest for K and 1st and a poster contest for 2nd!




Feel free to try some empathy scenarios at home with you children to
strengthen their empathy skills!




First: In first grade we read the story "The Recess Queen and students talked about the difference a recess queen and a recess friend.

November
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. November's topic is Coping Skills. We talk about coping skills in November after we learn to identify, understand and express emotions our emotions in October. Students will learn how to cope with the big emotions we touched on last month.

Kindergarten: To introduce the concept of coping skills, Kindergarten played "coping skills bingo". The students learned over 20 ways to cope with their emotions such as taking deep breaths, counting to 10, walking in nature, drawing and many more.

First: We are using the book "Clark the Shark" to help students learn how to control their emotions, bodies, and decisions. Students were able to play hot potato with Clark himself and display their knowledge of self-control.


October
Every month, each class comes to my guidance classroom to receive a lesson based on a different social emotional topic. This year we discussed a new topic: Bus Safety!

Every student received the same lesson that outlined the rules and expectations on the bus. Students were given the opportunity to "try out" how to get on and off the bus properly with our homemade school bus! While all students do not take the bus to school, there are school events that all students attend where they will need to ride the bus. It is important that every student understands how to behave while on the bus in order to arrive safely.

September
Every month, each class comes to my guidance classroom to receive a lesson based on a different social emotional topic. I love to start the school year talking about Friendship. Each grade is expanding or solidifying the concept of friendship to our CBS students.


First: In first grade we are discussing the importance of being a good friend. Students participate in an activity where they get to identify characteristics of a good friend. Students also get to pair up to roll-and-share with a classmate! Students ask questions and learn vital communication skills necessary for friendship.
Second:
Second graders are introduced to the topic of 'Bucket Fillers' in this months guidance lesson. I read the book "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?". This book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation and love. Students learn about 'Bucket filling' and 'Bucket Dipping' and the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.

2022-2023 School Year
May
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. May's topic is Conflict Resolution. We focused the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully and how learned how to use "I-Messages" to talk to our peers.

First: First graders we introduced to the "Buddy Bear". The Buddy Bear is a tool to help student peacefully solve conflicts. Students took turns holding the bear and practicing using I-Messages. I-Message are a three step way to express how you are feeling in the moment. With the use of an I-Message students are able to begin solving their conflicts independent before they move on to second grade!




Second: For our older students, we read the book "Enemy Pie". This book teaches kindness, courtesy, respect, and friendship, and how spending the day with your "enemy" can teach you a lot about how to make a friend.

April
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. April's topic is Power to Choose. We focused on growth, and our ability to improve our lives by using the Power to Choose wisely. We can all make poor choices sometimes, but our ultimate power lies in our ability to choose what’s right over what’s easy, and to constantly seek to improve ourselves and the world around us through the choices we make.

Kindergarten: In Kindergarten, we read "What Should Danny Do?". This book is an innovative, interactive book that empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days, and ultimately their lives into what they will be. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style, the book follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he faces choices that kids face on a daily basis. As the students navigated through the different story lines, they began to realize that their choices for Danny shaped his day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves can shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.

First: First graders read 'What Should Darla Do?". Darla is a young and spunky astronaut-in-training who
wants to Mars one day but, to do so, she’ll need to practice using her Power to Choose wisely. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” format, students helped
Darla through her day by making choices for her! As the students navigated through the different story lines, they began to realize that their choices for Darla shaped her day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves can shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.

March
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. March's topic is Self-Esteem. For some students, self-esteem in the classroom comes naturally. They tackle new materials head on and know how to get their points across. For some students, the day-to-day requirements of school can cause anxiety and frustration. This month, we focused on encouraging students to feel proud of their abilities and accomplishments.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten students celebrated their unique strengths and skills by creating a St. Patrick’s Day Self-Esteem Craft.






Second: Second graders read "The Good Egg", a witty adventure full of great messages about the importance of balance, self-care, and acceptance of self and others. Students were able to create a 'Self Care and Positive Affirmation Surprise Egg'!
February
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. February's topic is Kindness.


We set up a Kindness Station so students could write a smile-a-gram and send it to a friend. Our students spread a lot of kindness!





January
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. January's topic is Careers. Each grade is using a different book to introduce, expand, or solidify the concept of career to our CBS students. It is never too early to broaden the horizons of the career field for our students!


First: "Whose Hands are These?" This rhyming community helper guess allows students to
guess all the jobs based on the actions of busy working hand. Students expand their knowledge of careers with the introduction of jobs such as a mechanic, potter, news reporter, architect, referee, physician, and many more.

Second: For our older students, we played a "Career Riddles" game. Students were able to guess career titles based on a description and image of the career. Our students learned many new jobs such as architect, author, barber, carpenter, electrician, paramedic, mayor, pharmacist, surgeon and many more!
December

Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. December's topic is
Anti-Bullying. We kicked off our Bullying Prevention Week with an assembly! Students learned the difference between bullying and conflict and learned a new acronym: MOOS-
Mean
On Purpose
Over and Over
Stop
We also had a coloring contest for K and 1st and a poster contest for 2nd!




First: In first grade we read the story "The Recess Queen and students talked about the difference a recess queen and a recess friend.

November
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. November's topic is Coping Skills. We talk about coping skills in November after we learn to identify, understand and express emotions our emotions in October. Students will learn how to cope with the big emotions we touched on last month.

Kindergarten: To introduce the concept of coping skills, Kindergarten played "coping skills bingo". The students learned over 20 ways to cope with their emotions such as taking deep breaths, counting to 10, walking in nature, drawing and many more.

First: We are using the book "Clark the Shark" to help students learn how to control their emotions, bodies, and decisions. Students were able to play hot potato with Clark himself and display their knowledge of self-control.


October
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. October's topic is Emotional Identification and Regulation. We will be talking about identifying, understanding and expressing emotions. Some of the books we will read are:

Kindergarten: We are using the book "The Color Monster" to identify different emotions. Once you identify emotions, you can more easily recognize and regulate when they are out of control.

First: We are using the book "The Boy with Big Big Feelings" to help students learn to differentiate between small and large emotions, and how to properly cope with the size your emotions.

September
Every month, each class comes to my guidance classroom to receive a lesson based on a different social emotional topic. I love to start the school year talking about Friendship. Each grade is expanding or solidifying the concept of friendship to our CBS students.





First: In first grade we are discussing the importance of being a good friend. Students participate in an activity where they get to identify characteristics of a good friend. Students also get to pair up to roll-and-share with a classmate! Students ask questions and learn vital communication skills necessary for friendship.
Second:
Second graders are introduced to the topic of 'Bucket Fillers' in this months guidance lesson. I read the book "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?". This book encourages positive behavior as children see how rewarding it is to express daily kindness, appreciation and love. Students learn about 'Bucket filling' and 'Bucket Dipping' and the effects of our actions and words on the well being of others and ourselves.

Check out our 2022 "Be the I in Kindness" Slide Show
2021-2022 School Year
April
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. April's topic is Power to Choose. We focused on growth, and our ability to improve our lives by using the Power to Choose wisely. We can all make poor choices sometimes, but our ultimate power lies in our ability to choose what’s right over what’s easy, and to constantly seek to improve ourselves and the world around us through the choices we make.

Kindergarten: In Kindergarten, we read "What Should Danny Do?". This book is an innovative, interactive book that empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days, and ultimately their lives into what they will be. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style, the book follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he faces choices that kids face on a daily basis. As the students navigated through the different story lines, they began to realize that their choices for Danny shaped his day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves can shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.


Students discussing how they can use the Power to Choose in their own lives!




March
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. March's topic is Self-Esteem. For some students, self-esteem in the classroom comes naturally. They tackle new materials head on and know how to get their points across. For some students, the day-to-day requirements of school can cause anxiety and frustration. This month, we focused on encouraging students to feel proud of their abilities and accomplishments.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten students celebrated their unique strengths and skills by creating a St. Patrick’s Day Self-Esteem Craft.



First: First graders discussed the important topic of self worth and confidence and showed that they are the "Gold at the End of Their Rainbow". Students were able to share what makes them a good friend, a good student, a talented person and something they love about themselves.


Second: Second graders read "The Good Egg", a witty adventure full of great messages about the importance of balance, self-care, and acceptance of self and others. Students were able to create a 'Self Care and Positive Affirmation Surprise Egg'!


February
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. February's topic is Kindness.

Kindergarten: "A Little Spot of Kindness". Kindergarten students participated in a special activity where they created their own spot of kindness! Look how amazing they turned out!




First: First graders helped to spread kindness around school by

writing letters to different staff members. Students used specific ways that these staff members helped them, and wrote beautiful letters to express their gratitude.




January
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. January's topic is Careers. Each grade is using a different book to introduce, expand, or solidify the concept of career to our CBS students. It is never too early to broaden the horizons of the career field for our students!


First: "Whose Hands are These?" This rhyming community helper guess allows students to
guess all the jobs based on the actions of busy working hand. Students expand their knowledge of careers with the introduction of jobs such as a mechanic, potter, news reporter, architect, referee, physician, and many more.

Second: For our older students, we played a "Career Riddles" game. Students were able to guess career titles based on a description and image of the career. Our students learned many new jobs such as architect, author, barber, carpenter, electrician, paramedic, mayor, pharmacist, surgeon and many more!
December
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. December's topic is Friendship. Each grade is using a different book to introduce, expand, or solidify the concept of friendship to our CBS students.

Kindergarten: "Peanut Butter and Jellyous". This book shows that friendships can get sticky when Peanut Butter starts hanging out with other friends besides Jelly. The two best friends learn to stick together...while making room for new friends!


Second: For our older students, we read the book "Enemy Pie". This book teaches kindness, courtesy, respect, and friendship, and how spending the day with your "enemy" can teach you a lot about how to make a friend.

November
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. November's topic is Coping Skills. We talk about coping skills in November after we learn to identify, understand and express emotions our emotions in October. Students will learn how to cope with the big emotions we touched on last month.

Kindergarten: To introduce the concept of coping skills, Kindergarten played "coping skills bingo". The students learned over 20 ways to cope with their emotions such as taking deep breaths, counting to 10, walking in nature, drawing and many more.

First: We are using the book "Clark the Shark" to help students learn how to control their emotions, bodies, and decisions. Students were able to play hot potato with Clark himself and display their knowledge of self-control.


Week of Respect
Clara Barton Elementary recognizes the Week of Respect from October 4-8th, in order to teach students how to respect others, our school, our community and ourselves. This week also emphasizes the importance of character education and teaches students strategies on how to be compassionate, thoughtful, caring people in and outside of school. This week is but one of the many weeks throughout the year we foster and promote an environment of respect for all students in order to create a positive school climate for growth and learning.
Kindergarten: Kindergarten learned how to be respectful at home, school, in the community and to the earth by making these amazing hats. 



First: First grade showed how they can be respectful at home, school, or in the community through these respect flipbooks.
Second: Second grade showed how they can respect "otters"!



October
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. October's topic is Emotional Identification and Regulation. We will be talking about identifying, understanding and expressing emotions. Some of the books we will read are:

Kindergarten: We are using the book "The Color Monster" to identify different emotions. Once you identify emotions, you can more easily recognize and regulate when they are out of control.

First: We are using the book "The Boy with Big Big Feelings" to help students learn to differentiate between small and large emotions, and how to properly cope with the size your emotions.

Here are some Emotional Identification and Regulation Resources you can use at home!
- Books:
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
- Millie Fierce by Jane Manning
- Feelings by Libby Walden
- The Boy With Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
- The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
2020-2021 School Year
February

Kindergarten students drew amazing pictures about how they could be kind at home, at school, or even to the planet. All first and second grade students participated in a special activity where they created their own spot of kindness! Look how amazing they turned out!

Here are some Kindness Resources you can use at home!
- Books:
- What Does it Mean to Be Kind by Rana DeOrio
- Kindness Gets a Thumb Up by Brenda Li
- Kindness is My Superpower by Alicia Ortego
- Be Kind by Pat Zietlow Miler
- More ideas on my Bitmoji Classroom!
- Activities
- A Little Spot of Kindness Class book
- Kindness Coloring Page
- Kindness is a Muscle (Sing-A-Long)
- Kindness Math Coloring Page
March

Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. March's topic is Emotional Identification and Regulation. We are using the book "The Color Monster" to identify different emotions. Once you identify emotions, you can more easily recognize and regulate when they are out of control.
Here are some Emotional Identification and Regulation Resources you can use at home!
- Books:
- The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
- Millie Fierce by Jane Manning
- Feelings by Libby Walden
- The Boy With Big, Big Feelings by Britney Winn Lee
- The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
- Activities
April
Every month, I go into each classroom to give a guidance lesson based on a different social emotional topic. April's topic is Friendship. Each grade is using a different book to introduce, expand, or solidify the concept of friendship to our CBS students.

Kindergarten: "Peanut Butter and Jellyous". This book shows that friendships can get sticky when Peanut Butter starts hanging out with other friends besides Jelly. The two best friends learn to stick together...while making room for new friends!

