Stress Balls, Anyone?

I think I mentioned in an earlier post how much  I liked Pinterest.  I have found so many neat ideas I want to try with/for my students.  In all my browsing I ran across homemade stress balls.  I didn't really think much about it, other than it was a neat idea.  Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about.  You can follow the links like I did for further instructions.  I didn't even actually pin these until tonight when I was gathering my pictures to post for the blog, but these are the inspiration for the stress balls I made.

 http://www.playcreateexplore.com/2011/07/playdough-filled-balloons.html

 

 http://pre-schoolplay.blogspot.com/2011/07/stress-ball-balloons.html

So anyway, last week I had a girl in my office who was talking about how she had a lot of anxiety and anger issues a few years ago.  She mentioned that she saw the school counselor at her previous school (in another district) about it.  What struck me though, was when she said that the only thing that really helped her was when that school counselor gave her a balloon full of sand.  She used to carry it around and squish it when she felt worried, upset, stressed, etc.  My mind instantly pictured the things I had browsed on Pinterest.  I pretty much decided then and there that I was gonna make some myself.

I already had some kiddos in mind that I thought would benefit from them.  So, that night I had to go into town anyway, so I made an extra stop at Hobby Lobby.  I picked up some baloons and some sand in a jar.

When I got home and looked everything back up again I saw the ideas for using play-doh and other things like rice and pasta.  I knew I had some play-doh around the house - I have three children after all.  So I got some of that down from the high shelf when the girls were in bed.  Yes, I stole play-doh from my children....it was for a good cause though.

 As you can see, we are in no shortage of play-doh.  This bag was actually full of empty cans for some reason, but I was able to scrounge around enough for two balls.  We have tons more upstairs in other baskets. 

 I have to admit, it looks kind of gross in there!  The actual process of getting the play-doh inside was interesting.  I blew the balloon up first to help stretch it some.  Then I held the neck of the balloon open with one thumb on each side.  I used my index finger to pick up the small pieces of play-doh and stuff them inside.  I stuffed and stuffed until I felt like I had a good amount in there.  After I shimmied the extra air out I tied off the end.  This is where it got interesting....I decided to put that balloon into another one, just for extra strength and durability.

The best comparison I can come up with to describe the process of putting a play-doh balloon inside an empty balloon would be like trying to put on a pair of Spanx that are two sizes too small.  It kept spilling out on all sides and I had to keep poking it down in there until I got it under control.  This is what my finished product looked like though.  I'm very happy with the outcome.

The sand brought new complications, mainly the possible mess it could create with one wrong move. Another worry was how to get the sand in there.  A regular funnel was just really too small.  So  I fashioned a funnel from a water bottle I had taken out of one of the girls' lunch boxes.  I just cut the end off with a pair of scissors.  It worked pretty good, because of the tight fit from the balloon neck.  It was an easy process to pour the sand in the balloon from there.

I didn't really know how much was a good amount, so I poured until I couldn't get the rest to go in.   Luckily I thought enough to step out on the front porch when I removed the balloon from the bottle.  Even though I had all the sand in there, it still sprayed some out just because of the force of it coming off.  It would not have been fun to sweep up a mess like that from my kitchen floor!

I made a second one and it went a little smoother.  I had figured out how to get the sand that had kind of bottle necked in spout to spread down into the balloon before I removed the bottle (funnel).

This is my finished product.  I have enough to make several more sand balloons because I actually have a whole other container of sand that is unopened.  Although I think my husband threw away my funnel when he cleaned the kitchen. :)

I think I like the balloons with play-doh better, they are softer and when you squish them they keep their shape.  I like the crunch sound of the sand ones though too.  Basically I ended with four balloons, and my fingers were killing me.  It is not something where you could sit down and whip out 15 or 20 at a time by yourself.  Balloons can hurt after a while.   I need to make a few each night until I have a good stockpile.  

Back to liking the play-doh ones better - The next day at school I offered the choice of balloons to two students and they both chose the play-doh ones.  They said they liked the way they felt, they seemed soft and smooth.  Then, after school my two school aged children confiscated the remaining sand balloons for themselves.  So, I won't be surprised if I don't find sand in the carpet upstairs one of these days.   Needless to say, I need to make more soon!

I actually plan to make several more and then keep them in both offices when the need arises.  They are easy things to just grab and give out to kids who are looking for ideas to help them feel better - a "quick fix" maybe, something to give them focus.  I like them too because it is something tangible they can physically take with them.  They are small and portable, so they go well in backpacks, or even hoodie pockets if needed, so they can be discrete if they want.  

Oh, and the student that gave me the idea originally was in my office again today and she had a small amount of play-doh that she was playing with as we spoke.  I thought that was interesting too.  One day I will share with her how she inspired me to do this project.

Well anyway, thanks for reading!  I would love to hear comments on things that you have used for the insides of stress balls, or any other comments, suggestions, or ideas that I can use as well. 

My next post is going to be about how I introduce myself to the 8th graders for the first time! :)

My Middle School Office

In my last post, I talked about what it was like to have two offices.  I posted some pictures and talked about the layout of my high school office.  This post is going to center around my middle school office.  So, like I said before, I serve 8th and 9th graders at my district.  8th graders are at the middle school and 9th graders are at the high school.  The two campuses are probably about a mile or so part, so it is a short drive between the buildings.

I have a special affection for the middle school.  After all, I went to school there from the 7th through the 12th grade.  When we built a new high school 8 years ago the original high school campus became the middle school.  It is spread out over several buildings and there have been a lot of additions and upgrades since I graduated.  It is kind of neat though to walk the halls of my old high school.

The counseling offices were built about five years ago when there when the office and the new library were built.  We do not have a waiting room or outer office.  I think that is what my office served as before my job was added last year.  But when I came along they had to find a place to put me.

So this is what the outside of the office looks like.  My door is on the right and the 5th - 7th grade counselor is next door.   I have a mailbox on the wall for students to leave messages when I am out.

 It is hard to see, but I have a sign in my window that I change (when I remember) that lets students know if I am in.  I also have a sign that says "Is Out" and "Please Do Not Disturb."  I could do a better job remembering to change the signs in and out too. 

Well, here it is - messy and all.  I have said it before, but I am a pile-er with a capital P.  The cabinets and shelves are really nice to have though.  Angie, the 5-7 Counselor, already had a kind of Americana theme going, so I just went with that and added a few things that I liked.

Angie's office is through that door.  When we have students in we just close it for privacy. We have a great relationship - she has been so welcoming and helpful to me from the very beginning and I am very grateful for her support.  

 I just realized I did not take any other pictures from different angles.  There is really just a block wall behind where I am standing for that picture anyway, so it's probably ok.  This office is bigger than my high school office.   My phone rings at both offices, so that is nice that I don't have two different numbers and extensions to keep up with.  It is hard to be on the phone with someone when my notes are in the other office - that has happened a few times.

Well, that's it for now!  I hope everyone has a great weekend.  I am enjoying a lazy Saturday for sure!

My High School Office

So I work with 8th and 9th graders.  In my district, 8th graders are at the middle school and 9th graders are across campus at the high school.  This means I have to travel back and forth between buildings.  Some days I go back and forth and back and forth and then back again, haha!  I am blessed to be able to go where, and do what I need to do to serve my students.  I have actually joked that I could be home napping and neither building would be the wiser.  Honestly, I would never do that, but it gets a chuckle out of people.

There are some advantages to not having set office hours in each building, although I can see the benefits of that as well.  Most days I don't mind going between buildings.  I also try really hard to equal out my time.  If anything, my day is always varied.  I never always do the same thing as yesterday.   In Arkansas we have lots of great weather days.  It is nice to be able to get outside and soak in some sun for a few minutes at time.  I didn't even complain today as it rained because we really need the rain in our area.  My flip flops got wet, which can be dangerous when you are as "graceful" as me, but even that wasn't too bad.  I am at an age where I don't really care what my hair looks like, so it doesn't bother me to get a little rained on. :)

Here is a picture of me, in my car, going between buildings.  I was already parked when I took the photo by the way!  

There can be some challenges trying to keep two offices.  The biggest one I've run into is that if I need something it is probably at the other building.  That is frustrating for sure.  I hate to not be there for the kids when they need me too.  I have a load of stuff that I feel like I always need, so I carry those things between buildings in a expandable cart that rolls on wheels.  It's my mobile office I guess you could say.

Anyway, here are a few pictures of my high school office:

 I have a white board on my door for students to leave me messages if I am not available.  You can't see it, but I also have a mailbox on the wall (although I always forget to check it).

My office is pretty small.  I have to admit that I get jealous of other counselors who have nice spacious offices with comfy furniture and different areas, etc.  The 10th - 12th grade counselor has an office next door to mine.  Our counseling center does have a waiting area and a group room that we share.

 My desk is messy - I work in piles, but I know where most things are when I need them.  :)  If not, a little digging can produce everything else. LOL!

This is a shot kind of catty corner from my desk.  I have two main chairs, and then three black chairs that stack.  We can bring those out when I have more than two students/parents at a time.  If you look closely you can see the handle of my rolly cart! 

Well, that is probably enough for now.  In my next post I'll share my middle school office.  I hope everyone has a nice relaxing weekend! :)

Take What You Need Poster

I have really caught on to Pinterest lately.  I've had an account for a long time, but never really got into it.  I don't even know what caused me to revisit it, but I have discovered so many great school counseling things.  I might be addicted now...seriously.  I'm choosing Pinterest over sleep - that's saying something, because I really like my sleep.  Once my mind gets going with ideas it is hard to shut off though.

I ran across this pin:

I thought this was a neat idea.  It is very simple, it requires little time, and zero money to complete.  It is my kind of project.  So, I made one:

This is it - orange roll paper from the library and a purple permanent marker.  It is hard to tell from the picture, but it was fairly large.  I hung it up this morning in the 8th grade building.   I was pretty proud of myself.  Notice the touch of authenticity I included with the already ripped off strip.  Anyway, my pride only lasted a couple of hours.  The next time I walked back through the building the poster was gone.  Only the duct tape remained on the wall (you can kind of see it through the orange).  There was one strip, Kindness, on the floor across the hall and down a bit by the lockers.

At first I was upset.  I was on my way to talk to the assistant principal to see if we could look at the video footage to see who tore my poster down.  I wanted someone to know that they "wronged" me.  Then it hit me, what should I have expected them to do?  They are middle school kids, of course they are gonna go for that.  I pretty much was asking for it anyway.  They didn't know I meant the poster to be kind of symbolic.  I mean I said on the poster "take what you need"  I invited them to take the strips.  So, needless to say I never brought it up with the assistant principle.

My only hope is that maybe it wasn't a complete joke to them.  Maybe one person got something they needed today.  Maybe it wasn't a complete waste of time and effort (although even that wasn't too much).  Maybe it wasn't a complete free for all, a total epic fail.  I can hope anyway, and I may never know unless I ask if any of the teachers saw what happened.  If I happen to get a good update I'll share it.

Anyway, after I picked my ego off the floor I decided I would try something different.  I am working on a display that does not invite students to rip it apart! lol!  My next project is going to be a BE wall.  This is my inspriation:

For now this is going to be in the 8th grade building, but I would like to do something similar at the high school as well.

Last thing, if you are interested, here is the link to my School Counseling Ideas Board on Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/mhunt92/school-counseling-ideas/

Thanks for reading - I welcome any comments or suggestions!  

A New Blog

Well, this is the first post on my new blog.  I have just started my second year as the 8th and 9th grade counselor at my hometown school, Prairie Grove.  I created this blog to share some of the things I do for students.  Like most educators I steal ideas from others.  I hate to say it, but I guess I have very few original thoughts....lol!  We are in to the third week of school and I am starting to feel settled, more so than last year, so this is as good of a time as any to start blogging. 

I am almost done finishing up my school counselor certification.  It is a blessing to be able to work in this position while I complete the requirements.  I have 6 hours of internship and one more class this summer to take and I will be finished...well, I have to take the Praxis too, but I sometimes forget about that.  My next challenge will be National Boards! 

I am inspired by so many counselors out there with blogs.  I am thankful there are people who are willing share what they are doing for students.  There does not seem to be as many secondary counselors out there on Pinterest/Blogger/Facebook, etc.  Every now and then I run across a great secondary counselor that shares ideas.  I do get a lot from elementary counselors though.  I will be sharing some of the things I have adapted for my 8th and 9th grade students.

Hopefully I will make the time to actually update this blog! :)  Wish me luck!  Thanks for reading!