from the Counselor's Corner . . .
Classroom Guidance is Back in Session
September 2008
September marks the beginning of Guidance Classes for all students. Classes meet every other week for a half hour each week. As we begin our classroom Guidance lessons this month I will work with students on building classroom community and identifying personal strengths and learning styles.
During our first classroom guidance lesson we focus on reviewing the role of the School Counselor, our classroom guidance expectations and what we will be doing in guidance this year. We will also take the opportunity to visit the classroom guidance office and play a community building game. "Find Someone Who . . ." is a game that challenges the students to find someone in their class who has something in common with them. This is a fun way for kids to learn more about and make connections with others in their classroom.
Our second lesson begins a four part series on identifying personal Strengths and Learning Styles. Why is this important? First, many students believe that being "smart" only means doing well in reading, writing and math. Helping students to understand that there are many different kinds of intelligence and helping them to discover their own strengths helps build confidence in learning new things. Also, a person's learning style may be the single most important key to improving their grades. Research has shown that students can perform better in school if they change study habits to fit their own personal learning styles. Some students remember best the materials they've seen, some remember things they've heard, while others remember things they've experienced. By identifying
how they learn best, students can then use this information to change the way they take in new information.
Our four part series will begin by helping students to expand their thinking on what it means to be smart. Students will learn about the different types of "smarts" (Body Smart, Picture Smart, Word Smart, etc.) and identify which ones they excel in. We will then take our discussion about differences in learning and expand it by identifying our different learning styles. Students will take part in listening, hearing and hands on exercises to explore their own personal strengths. Students will graph their Smart and Learning Style types to see how many students fall into each category in their classroom. We will then use the information we have gathered to help identify the study skills they can use to best help them learn.
The last part of the series will focus on looking at how we can use our strengths and learning styles to help us increase our skills in an area we may struggle with. Students will talk about how we all not only have strengths, but we also all have challenges in some areas of our learning. Students will identify one area in which they would like to see some improvement whether it is in math, meeting new friends, writing, or sports. They will then work in groups to brainstorm ways they could increase their skills in this area. Lastly, students will set a goal for themselves including specific ways they can improve in this area using the ideas from their brainstorming session.
It is my hope that this four part series will allow students to walk away with a better understanding of their unique learning strengths and a clear plan for helping themselves to do better in school. Teachers will also get an idea of how the students in their classroom learn best. Parents, ask your child which type of Smart they are strongest in and what their Learning Style is. Have them share with you the study tips they've learned so that you can help them adopt a homework plan that will work for them.
In addition to the work I do with classrooms, I also work with students individually and in small groups on a number of topics. From difficulties with coming to school, to making new friends, and dealing with changing families I am available to help in a variety of ways. If you are interested in having me work with your child or have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at 829-2250.
Sincerely,
Dawn Lane
DRS/MIW School Counselor
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