meet the counselor (grades 3-5)

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.