A specific area I need to improve on is B-PF-9. Create systemic change through the implementation of a school counseling program. More specifically Standard a. which discusses the school counselor being an agent of systematic change in order to provide the best environment for students and their success and Standard d. that discusses coming up with a plan to support the success of students by addressing personal and institutional resistance to change (ASCA, 2019). I just need to be more knowledgeable about what systematic change is and how to use it to ensure the success of my students.

Standard B-PF 6. a discusses the importance of making sure to stay knowledgeable about different cultural backgrounds and respecting differences and Standard B-PF 6 c. discusses how school counselors should have high expectations for all students regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Also, B-SS 6. discusses the importance of collaboration with school administration, teachers, families and other stakeholders in order to assist with students' academic success (ASCA, 2019). These are areas I did well on because these are things that I was already aware of. Having my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education, teachers also have expectations to uphold in order to make sure all of their students are successful.  I can make sure to read these standards and competencies in order to stay knowledgeable about each area and to make sure I am being a competent school counselor.  

 

American School Counselor Association (2019). The ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (4th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American School Counselor Association

ASCA Domain Addressed: Personal/Social Emotional Development

Grade Level:  4th grade

Estimated Time:  30 minutes

Pose Essential Question: How do our thoughts and feelings affect how we handle various situations?Engagement (Hook): Read a story that deals with positive and/or negative thinking. Suggestion: Books, such as Fortunately by: Remy Charlie or Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day! by: Judith Viorst. Read story and field questions about how negative thoughts and feelings were changed to positive ones. Divide class into small groups and explain they will be asked to change something negative into something positive. Hand each small group a skit ticket and have them create a short skit to perform in front of the class. After each skit, discuss the ideas they used to change the situation from negative to positive. 

Closure: In closing, students will answer questions the class/instructor has about their skit. 

Source: https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/se-4th-grade-all-units. This lesson was not modified. 

Reflection:

The goal of this lesson is to change students' negative thoughts into positive ones. Something that may be challenging while trying to implement this lesson is getting students to be creative with the skits and getting them to do the skits in front of their peers. This can be especially tough for the students who may be shy. 

Woodgate, R. L., Gonzalez, M., & Tennent, P. (2023). Accessing mental health services for a child living with anxiety: Parents’ lived experience and recommendations. PLoS ONE, 18(4), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283518



This relates to the goal of my lesson plan because it is connected to children's social/emotional development and how important it is for this development to be supported. Anxiety in children can cause a lot of negative thoughts/feelings and in my lesson plan, the skits are used to change those negative thoughts into positive ones. It is important to advocate for children's social/emotional development and mental health so that when they are going through something, they don't feel alone. Also, so that they have a safe space to express themselves and can in turn have a more positive outlook on life.