Cougar Chat! by Renisha Freeman

What is Cougar Chat?

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-09 15:22:02 UTC

Cougar Chat is time when students will have session with the counselor and work on social and emotional skills. The purpose of this group is to address communication issues on the 2^nd grade level. Through a campus-wide needs assessment survey on social and emotional learning as well as data gathered from office referrals, it was determined that there was a need to address communication issues on this grade level.

Action Plan

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-09 16:10:44 UTC

ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-09 16:27:43 UTC

Students will be able to demonstrate mastery of the following mindset and behavior standards.

M 2. Sense of acceptance, respect, support and inclusion for self and others in the school environment

B-SMS 2. Self-discipline and self-control

References

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-09 17:10:11 UTC

American School Counselor Association (2021). ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success. Retrieved from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

Cache County School District. (2018) Counseling Consent Form. Retrieved from https://www.ccsdut.org/cms/lib/UT02205719/Centricity/Domain/873/School%20Counseling%20Consent%20Form.pdf

Cherry, K. (2021). Leadership Styles and Frameworks You Should Know. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Elementary School Counseling.org (2017). Small Group Counseling. Retrieved from http://www.elementaryschoolcounseling.org/small-group-counseling-documents.html

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide: A professional school counselor’s guide to planning, implementing, and evaluating school-based counseling groups.

Publicity

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-09 17:24:04 UTC

To publicize this group, flyers will be placed in teacher's boxes advertising the group. There will also be electronic correspondence sent out to teachers. Because this group will be based on teacher referral, there will be no publicizing the group to the students.

Pre-Group Screening

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-09 17:56:25 UTC

After teachers have referred students and data has been gathered from office referrals, the counselor will conduct a pre-screening interview to determine if those students are right for the group. The counselor will use the TAP-in screening process.

Tell student about the group.
Ask student about his or her level of interest/commitment to expectations of group
Pick participants.

Informed Consent

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-10 19:05:14 UTC

When the teacher referrals have been received and pre-group screening has been completed, the counselor will meet with the students selected. At that time students will complete an assent form and will be given an informed consent to be signed by their parent or guardian. The student cannot be a part of the group with consent.

Group Rules

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-11 18:25:48 UTC

There will be an established set of rules that the group will follow. However, during the first session, the counselor will give the group members a chance to suggest other rules that they feel are essential to the group. After all participants are in agreement, they will sign the contract.

Group Dynamics

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-11 18:43:57 UTC

As stated in the description, this group is targeted to 2nd grade students. However, due to the general nature of the topics discussed, this plan can be adjusted for all elementary age students.
3 Stages of the group dynamics

Stage 1: The students will get to know each other through icebreaker activities and circle time chats at the start of each session.
Stage 2: There will be group and partner projects that students will work together on to present to the whole group.
Stage 3: Students will share how the group has helped them. The counselor will follow up periodically with the group members to sustain support.

Leadership Styles

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-11 21:09:25 UTC

For the purpose of this group, it is best lead in a Transactional Leadership style. This is due to age of the students in this group and the time allotted for this group. There needs to be clearly defined expectations for the group that this style of leadership can support and direct. The students will also received praise and rewards for accomplishing the tasks given.

Therapeutic Factors

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-12 04:16:13 UTC

One of the Therapeutic Factors to be considered with this group is the development of socializing techniques. One of the key foci of this group is communicating with peers and others. The purpose is to help them develop appropriate communication skills. Another therapeutic factor is direct advice. The counselor will provide ongoing direct advice to the students both in the group and individually.

Legal Requirements

rfreeman131 — 2021-11-12 04:48:32 UTC

The Texas Education Code outlines the requirements of Certified School Counselors and counseling programs in public education. According to Section 33.005, "the school counselor shall design the program to include:(1) a guidance curriculum to help students develop their full education potential, including the student's interests and career objectives". In addition, the counselor also has the responsibility to participate in planning, implementing, and a comprehensive developmental guidance program to serve all students and to address the special needs of students.