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This group is designed for 2nd grade boys and girls to help teach them the steps in making good decisions. The students will learn the difference between a good decision and a not so good decision. They will also learn the meaning of the word Integrity and how to do the right thing when no one is watching.

Through a needs assessment done by the teachers, it was determined that the students needed guidance with decision making and taking responsibility for their actions.

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The following mindsets and behaviors will be met by students in group:

M 2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed
B-SMS 1. Demonstrate ability to assume responsibility
B-SMS 2. Demonstrate self-discipline and self-control
B-SS 5. Demonstrate ethical decision-making and social responsibility

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The following group rules will be established before the small group session begins:
1. Be respectful of one another.
2. What is said here, stays here.

There will be additional rules established once group starts meeting and students will have to agree on rules established.

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The dynamics of the group will be homogenous mix of boys and girls consisting of 4-5 students.
Stage 1 will start off with a get to know one another activity in order to build trust. Norms and rules will be established among the group so that everyone is comfortable knowing that they had a part in building them. Confidentiality must be kept so that what is said and shared stays within the group. Should anyone want to share anything else that does not pertain to the topic, they can set up an additional appointment with the counselor one on one.
Stage 2 will pertain to engaging the students in the fun filled lessons and discussions and encouraging them to share and talk amongst one another. The counselor will monitor all conversations and engage with the students.
Stage 3 will have a closure plan that will involve a final discussion over what they have learned throughout the six week session, a reminder that what was said here stays here, and encouragement and reassurance that should they ever need to talk, the counselor's door is always open for them. The counselor will also let them know that he/she will be doing a monthly check in to see if good decisions are being made.

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Another legal requirement that is supported by the TExas Administrative Code is found in Standard II for Learner-centered skills, section 2, which states that a counselor will counsel small groups using appropriate theories and techniques in response to the students' needs. This is definitely implemented in the small group as the counselor is using resources and the needs assessment data from the teachers in order to meet the small groups' needs in making better decisions and choices.

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For the legal requirements, a counselor can be supported by the Texas Administrative Code.
It is stated in Standard I for Learner-Centered Knowledge, section 8 for the "legal and ethical practices, importance of commitment and implementation of ethical principles." The students can apply Integrity in which they learned about in the small group in order to know to do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

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My plans for kicking off my small group is to go to the 2nd grade teachers after receiving the names from each teacher and personally invite each student to a fun filled small group where we will learn fun ways of making good choices. I will hand each student a consent form to take home for parental consent.

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The leadership style that will best suit this small group is the Participative Leadership style.
Due to the students' young age, the group will need guidance, participation, and engagement from the counselor in order for the students to participate and give input

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After receiving the names of students from teachers, the counselor will ask the students to come to her office. The counselor will discuss the topic of making decisions in general and give them a brief overview of what the small group session will entail. The counselor will then give the opportunity for the students to ask questions and hand out consent forms to be taken home.

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There are several therapeutic factors from Yalom that come to play with this small group. The first one is direct advice. Students are learning to make smart decisions and choices so in some cases they will need suggestions from others or may be able to give suggestions to help make those right choices.
The second factor would be interpersonal learning because getting feedback from others is a way for these students to grow and know that they are on the right path to making good decisions.
The third factor that could come into play would be altruism. Students may feel the need to help one of their fellow peers in making the right decision or choice and in return they feel useful and confident.

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Once students have been selected, the counselor will hand out a consent form to be taken home and signed by their parents, along with a letter from the counselor introducing herself.

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small group Counseling permission.rtf (1)

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American School Counselor Association (2014). Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Cherry, K. (2020). What are prominent leadership styles and frameworks you should know? Retrieved April 17, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

19 Tex. Admin. Code  §239.15

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.