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The name of this small group will be The Growing Group because we are going to grow our brains. The focus of this small group will be to understand, develop, and implement a growth mindset to help fourth grade students at Bowen Elementary evolve academically and socially. The overall goal is to equip and empower students to adopt a growth mindset that can be used in school to promote academic and social success as well as at home.

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Mindset Standard - M6 - Positive attitude toward work and learning

Learning Strategies - B-LS9 - Actively engage in challenging coursework

Behavior Standards - B-SMS 6 - Demonstrate perseverance to achieve long and short-term goals

Social Skills - B-SS1 - Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills

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In this situation, teachers and campus administration gave specific feedback to identify potential student participants. Students will be invited to attend by the counselor. The school counselor will have discussions with each student to invite and encourage them to participate. A parent phone call will be made for each participant by the school counselor. The counselor will explain the process and objectives. An email will be sent to administrators and teachers to communicate logistics of the group as well as communicate progress.

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Teacher surveys indicated growth mindset as a skill lacking in many students campus wide. Teachers and assistant principal nominated students for the group who might benefit from small group reinforcement of growth mindset activities. To inform the students, I will pay them a visit during the school day. The TAP screening strategy will be used. I will Tell about the group giving students the goal and logistical information of when we meed. After I give information, I will Ask the student about their comment, answer questions, and gauge their response. Members will be Picked based on my previous knowledge of the student as well as my relationship with student and student's relationship with other group members.

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My campus does not have a written policy on informed consent; however, the school counselor is expected to follow state and district procedures for informed consent. Attached is an example of what will be used for this group session.

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It is customary for my campus to use Social Contracts to establish group norms for classes and groups. The social contract procedure involves the teacher asking four questions and guiding students as they discuss and share their thoughts and answers. The four questions are 1. How do you want to be treated by the teacher? 2. How do you think the teacher wants to be treated? 3. How do you want to be treated by your peers? 4. How should we respond when we have conflict? Topics the teacher will guide students to discuss is respect, confidentiality, utilize the talking piece, speaking openly and honestly, and reinforce concept of keeping conversations within the group. Once contract is developed, students sign the chart as a pledge to adhere to group norms.

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Stage 1 (Norms/Building Trust) - In order to ensure each member's psychological needs are met, the counselor will model respect and confidentiality during screening  process and during the social contract activity.  The counselor will greet each student and maintain healthy relationships.  Ice-breaker/Get-to-Know-You activities will be implemented at the beginning of each lesson in order to ensure students feel comfortable with one another.  The counselor will enforce contract expectations for students as well as model healthy behaviors.
Stage 2 (Working Together) - During journal reflection, students will work together to identify individual and group progress.  Celebrating success encourages cohesiveness. Ground rules/contract will be discussed at the beginning of each session. The counselor will schedule check-ins with group members to encourage and motivate.
Stage 3 (Ending the Group) - Closure will be attained by self reflecting as well as celebrating student reflections and successes.  The counselor will set specific dates/procedures for follow up.  The time spent together will be wrapped up in a positive supporting atmosphere.  Specific follow up dates/activities will be scheduled to encourage continuation of newly acquired skill.

(Missouri Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Programs, 2015)

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A leadership style that is important to consider when providing counseling for small group is a participative leadership style.  This leadership style offers guidance to participants, allows them each to give input, yet the leader also participates.  Participative leadership styles empower group members in the process, but they make the final decision (Cherry, 2020). I personally think this is an important leadership approach to consider because the counselor, as the leader, should encourage others to participate and feel safe.  A way to help others feel safe is to lead by example.  Participating in the group models for students the correct way to speak, respond, and reflect which provides encouragement and promotes independence.

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Interpersonal learning is a factor for this small group treatment. Interpersonal learning involves receiving feedback from others and experimenting with new ways of relating (Yalom, 1995). The lessons developed for The Growing Group include time for self reflection and discussion. An information sharing protocol will be utilized in the lesson so that participants will have a chance to actively listen and provide feedback. Students will gain insight through discussion and dialogue.

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According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), B-PF6. b. school counselors explain how students' cultural, social and emotional background may affect their academic achievement, behavior, relationships and overall performance in school (ASCA, 2019). This ethical and legal requirement is important to consider when teaching growth mindset to a small group because it is critical for the counselor to consider that each student has a unique background and cultural perspective.  Students were strategically chosen for this group because they become easily frustrated and shut down when work is perceived to be difficult.  Some of these emotions may be a product of their home environment or culture outside of school.  The counselor should be aware that these factors exist and should plan accordingly in order to best meet the needs of each group member.

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American School Counselor Association (ASCA) B-SS 6. a. -
The ASCA legal standard states that counselors should partner with others to advocate for student achievement and educational equity and opportunities (ASCA, 2019). The school counselor will maintain healthy working rapport with school staff and understand that each team member plays an important role in the development of each child. The counselor will communicate learning goals to teachers and campus administration. The counselor will share specific tips/information with teachers regarding student progress in small group lesson. The counselor understands that student success depends on communication between multiple parties and must communicate with classroom teacher about any follow up strategies or follow-up visit to ensure the students is able to transfer the skills learned in small group into his/her everyday life

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American School Counselor Association. (2019). ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies. Alexandria, VA: Author. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/a8d59c2c-51de-4ec3-a565-a3235f3b93c3/SC-Competencies.pdf

American School Counselor Association (2014). Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College and Career readiness Standards for Every Student: Alexandria, VA: Author. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

Cherry, K. (2020). Leadership styles and frameworks you should know. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Programs. (2015).