Objectives:

• Meet the School Counselor
• Learn about the role of the school counselor

Standards:

• Create relationships with adults that support success

Materials:

• School Counselor Toolbox (plastic toolbox full of the below items)
• Worksheet
• Parent Letter​

Directions:
Introduce yourself to the class. Use the School Counselor Toolbox to facilitate a conversation about what a counselor does. Let students take turns coming up and picking an item and share why they think I might have it in my toolbox. (remind students that not everyone will get a turn)

1. Elephant - Big ears to listen with
2. Heart - care about everyone
3. Tissues - to dry up tears
4. Bandaids - to help when you are hurting
5. Dory - to remind you you can do it if you “just keep swimming”
6. Lock - I keep your secrets, unless someone will get hurt
7. Puzzle- I am here to help you solve your problems
8. Eraser - To fix mistakes
9. Elsa - to help you learn to “let it go”
10. Emoji cup - I can help you learn to “cup” (cope) with your emotions
11. Rice Krispy Treat - It is always a treat to come see me, you are never in trouble
12. Turtle - Because I like turtles and I want to learn about what you like.

Let students know examples of how they might see me. In a group, one-on- one, or in the class. Let students know that they can ask their teacher to come see me. If I am with another student or meeting with other adults, ask your teacher to send me an email and I will come get you as soon as I can. Pass out worksheet and have students draw their favorite part of school counselor’s job.
* I have also supplemented this lesson by starting with the story Mrs Joyce Gives the Best High Fives: Introducing the School Counselor by Erainna Winnett 

4 Heart:
This lesson helps students to understand the role of a school counselor and learn the numerous ways I am here to support them. The drawings pull my heart strings as I see what parts of my job they like best.

Objectives:

• Meet the counselor
• Learn how to decide the size and significance of a problem
• Learn how and when to see the counselor

Standards:

• Create relationships with adults that support success
• Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills
• Create positive and supportive relationships with other students
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills to make informed decisions

Materials:
Healing the Heart from Savvy School Counselor

• 20 band-aids with common problems listed on them
• Hearts that list and define the size of a problem (small, medium, large, critical)
• Worksheet

Directions:
Ask students if they know and remember what a school counselor does. If they understand the role of the school counselor, move on to the activity. If not, discuss K-2 lesson.

This activity will prompt students to think about common problems they may face and determine the size of the problem. By determining the size of a problem, students will also learn how quickly they should seek help from the school counselor (or a trusted adult for those critical situations). 
Healing the Heart revised activity - Print out the Large, Medium, Small, and Critical Problem Hearts on full size sheets of paper. Print out band-aids and attach descriptions on the bottom side, laminate materials for longevity.
At the beginning of the lesson, read each of descriptions for the four different sizes of problems. Hang up hearts on a visible surface. Pass out band-aids to the students (working in groups of two or more) have them complete the worksheet. (I had groups of two students and they each got two bandaids). Once WS is completed, students will put their band-aid under the correct heart on the board. Discuss example and why it is under that category. Discuss with students about when to see me and how to see me.
4 Heart:
This lesson helps students to understand the size of a problem (some serious critical thinking happening) and then use that knowledge to know how soon they should see the school counselor (making informed decisions). I also use this time to remind students about what my school's procedures are for coming to see me. 

I designed this image late one night when my depression was keeping me awake. I first drew a heart and added a teardrop falling from the inner point of the heart. To me, this symbolized the hidden tears of depression that I keep on the inside of my heart. Then I decided to compile four hearts as it is my four daughters that keep me going. Next I added the semicolon to represent my depression and raise awareness for mental health (Project Semicolon). This is my original design.