We have been working on manners here at the house. I get very tired of watching the girls sit and throw their food around on their plates. While Mike and I were on vacation a few weeks ago I took a moment to pick up some more Berenstain Bears books. I love the Berenstain Bears books because between the Momma Bear and Pappa Bear and Mr. Rodgers, I think that the world can be a better place. I love how I can read through the Berenstain Bears book on manners and Zoey and Abby can see how Sister and Brother Bear act and how it is right or wrong.
Bibliotherapy is appropriate for all ages. I know that some counselors do not feel that high school age students need to have a book read to them, but, Dr. Seuss' Many Color Days, and Oh The Places You'll Go are very popular books, and Oh The Places You'll Go is one of the most popular graduation presents. So take advantage of being able to show students what is going on in a book. If you feel silly reading to them, take a look at what is being studied in the ELA classroom and see if the grade level literature assignment applies to the lesson that you are trying to teach to the classroom, because my girls are not throwing things across their plates, and they are saying excuse me. Now did the one reading of the book on manners
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As summer is quickly drawing to an end, I have been contacted by several parents who have concerns about their children's accommodations for college. Yes, a child with a 504 plan or an IEP can have accommodations even in college, however, they are limited. They are entitled to their accommodations, because it is a federal right, however, a college professor is not beholden to calling a parent every time a project is late or if a child needs to retake a test. In fact about all a child can get in college is access to a tutor, a copy of instructional notes, and a quiet place to test. large print test, or a test to be read aloud (at this age this usually only applies to students with visual impairments). These are rights, and most students do not attempt to go on to school because they do not know their rights. Now I am not saying that parents should pack their children up and move them to the nearest four year university. I am saying that if there is a two year college or technical school close by, a class cannot hurt. Students who struggle in high school have actually been more successful in college than students who made straight As. The reason why, students who struggled and came out with a C, usually had to work their tail off and did everything they could to get that C, a child with an A, may or may not have the study skills or gumption to do the work without a reward. Trust me folks, your assigned homework, but no one is checking to see if you did it.
By not encouraging a student to try at least one class we are telling them that mediocrity is acceptable and that they have no chance in life. If a child goes and does not pass, then at least they were brave enough to try, if they pass, then they were brave enough to try and they can make a choice from that moment on. Failure is nothing that anyone is proud of, but often times we learn more from failing than achieving. If you have never failed at anything, then you do not know how to compensate for disappointment, or learn to correct your actions. I am not proud of it, but I failed. I failed with gusto:) and my students always are encouraged when they hear that story. I am not a fan of telling the story, but I am of telling them that it was not easy for me, because they often see my degrees on my wall and just think it wa |
AuthorMy name is Kelli Muncher. I a wife, mother, and school counselor. My children keep me grounded and running everyday, and when I say children I mean my two girls plus the 300 or so I try to serve during the week. Archives
February 2016
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