What To Do In September: 3 School Counseling Lesson Ideas
School is back in full swing, which might have you thinking about what to do for your September counseling lessons. This time of year is exciting, but can also feel overwhelming as you and your students adjust to the rhythms of being back in school.
Below, you’ll find ideas for topics and observances that will make your lesson planning easier so that you can focus more on meeting the needs of your students and building relationships as we head into a new school year.
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September Lesson Idea #1: Self Control
Even if you've been in school for a while, September still has that back to school feel. This is the perfect time to teach, and remind kids of self control strategies that will help them all year. Self control also ties in with many of the behavior expectations that are being taught at this point in the year, such as controlling voice volume, sitting in your seat, etc.
These activities are perfect to use with the book Clark The Shark!
For younger students, I love using the book Clark The Shark by Bruce Hale for lessons. In the book, Clark can sometimes get TOO excited about the things he is doing. He shouts out during lessons, eats his friends’ lunches, and plays too rough with his friends. Because of this, no one wants to play with Clark. Thankfully, his teacher comes along to help him use self-control to contain his excitement. If you’re looking for activities to use with the book, grab these from my shop!
For older students, this can be a great time to encourage them to slow down and think about the consequences of their actions. Kids can start to feel empowered when they realize that what happens (or doesn’t happen) often depends on their choices.
For this lesson, I love to use the classic book - If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Once you’ve read the book - point out to the students that each thing the mouse did led to something else, and that our actions and behaviors are similar - they have consequences that can be negative or positive.
To practice the skill, talk about specific behaviors or choices that the students might choose, and then challenge them to think about as many consequences of that action as they can. You can write their ideas on the board, or even make paper chains - with each link representing an effect of the action or behavior.
September Lesson Idea #2: Community Building
A welcoming and encouraging school community really does make all the difference. Research has shown that a positive school climate can improve students’ academic achievement, attendance, engagement, and behavior. There are many ways to encourage this type of climate, but I think it's necessary to also explicitly teach students about what they can do to include and support each other. It can be helpful to do this lesson during the first few weeks of school in order to establish a strong community early on in the year!
There are many great books that promote acceptance and inclusion. My favorite for the younger grades is All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold, and for the older grades, I love Just Ask! By Sonia Sotomayor.
Another resource that’s perfect for September is Start With Hello Week. This is a free program through Sandy Hook Promise that’s focused on creating an inclusive and connected school culture. In 2022, Start With Hello Week is September 19-23. You can register your school to receive lessons, activities, guides and more!
September Lesson #3: Suicide Prevention
September is also Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It may feel scary to address this sensitive topic with kids, but the statistics are staggering. Research shows that suicide is the 8th leading cause of death for ages 5-11, the leading cause of death for kids ages 14-15, and is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 15-19.
For younger students, this may be a good time to focus on building a feeling of connectedness among students (see lesson idea #2!), or to talk about ways to cope with things like sadness and hardship. A book that is perfect for younger students is A Flicker Of Hope by Julia Cook. This story is a great reminder to kids that the hard and sad things in our lives are temporary, and that it is always okay to ask for help!
For older students, there are many programs and resources that will help you address this complex topic. The Jason Foundation or Erika’s Lighthouse are a great place to start.
Even though this can be an uncomfortable topic, my hope is that these resources will help you feel confident as you head into these much-needed conversations!
September is a busy month, but using these 3 ideas in your school counseling lessons can make it easier for you while still giving your students the tools and information that they need. If you’re looking for more time-saving tips, make sure you sign up below for my weekly e-mails. Each Monday, you’ll get practical ideas and activities delivered directly to your inbox!
