Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
May It Always Be Personal
Today, lots of questions as we traverse the tricky terrain
around these three little words:
It's not personal.
I've heard this said a handful of times over the years and haven't ever really thought much about it, until recently, when I read this thought-provoking post.
So I'm reflecting, trying to better understand
what people mean when they use those three little words
and, borrowing from a few of my own personal experiences, wondering . . .
If your teenager snubs you, is it personal?
If you lose your job due to budget cuts, is it personal?
If a teacher is curt with your child, is it personal?
If someone betrays your trust, is it personal?
If the person in line before you jams the copier, is it personal?
If a drunk driver hits you, is it personal?
I'm taking a huge leap here, and it may seem overly simplified or sensitive
{and maybe even slightly insecure?},
but isn't anything that affects humankind kind of personal?
Because what we think is where behavior starts;
our thoughts determine
how we feel
and that, in turn, determines
how we treat others.
Need help turning a thought like that around? Check out the strategy that author Byron Katie teaches in her tale Tiger Tiger, Is It True?.
And though I'm still not totally sure if there truly is a time
in which that cliche rings true, what I fervently hope is this:
For those of us in the people business . . .
may it always be personal.
Monday, September 5, 2016
Why Mindset Matters
Lately I've been thinking a lot about mattering.
You know, things that matter.
Like kindness.
And how we treat each other.
Like relationships.
And mindset.
I'm super excited to be going to Montana
to talk about why Mindset Matters in the middle of the month.
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| Click the graphic for my guest post about the matter. |
But why, exactly, does mindset matter so much? When I was growing up, we thought that an IQ pretty much determined what a person was going to be able to achieve in life. We now know that the brain is a muscle that gets stronger as we learn and grow. And the more we learn about the brain, the more important it becomes to unlock those errant beliefs and rewrite those old messages.
Here are two video clips that explain mindset really well:
And just like how the three kinds of empathy depend upon and build on one another, mindset {cognition} must come first before other skills can fall into place.
So how exactly do we teach mindset?
Enter this fantastic new resource by school counselor Lisa King.
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| Click book cover for more info at NCYI. |
It came in the mail last week and I devoured it in a day. Then I went back through it to highlight and earmark pages. It's filled with puzzles, coloring pages, book recommendations, brain teasers, and lesson plan activities. There's a mindset chant you can use and some creative ideas for a Mindset Social Station.
Using a MINDSET acrostic, the chapters address these areas.
And though it is called a Counseling Curriculum, I would totally love to see it in the hands of any caregiver who has a stake in the future of a child. I especially like the last chapter, that encourages and empowers our future leaders to take what they know and teach others.
Need a little ditty or song to seal the deal? Here's one I wrote for my friends in Montana; feel free to add it to your mindset arsenal.
It's knowing, embracing, and living the fact that every day is a new chance to be
the best version of you that you can be. That's why mindset matters!
Friday, August 26, 2016
Here We Grow Again
Today I'm excited because we have successfully reached day 5 of our first week back to school. In celebration of all of that connecting and growing,
a relatively new book to share.
 |
| Click for a review and some activity ideas! |
This one is so special that I'm going to read it next week as my Intro to the Counselor pick. We're going to discuss it. And then solve a problem together.
And since I really think you're going to add this one to your collection, I'm not going to tell you much. Just enough to whet your appetite. You see, he didn't want the problem. Didn't invite it, didn't ask for it. He wants it to go away, to get lost. He finds out pretty quickly, however, that the age-old adage
you can run but you can't hide
is, in fact, spot on. So he decides to face it, only to find ... ok, that's all I'm saying. Except to tell you to prepare to fall in love with Mae Besom's illustrations. And the potential that this book has to help your superheroes grow.
 |
| Click the graphic for its source. |
At the end of the day, it's all about how we look at things.
Update: Click the picture to get details about the problem
I'm challenging them to solve.
It has been a blast watching them move these six cups from a stack and into a pillar pyramid without letting them make physical contact with any part of their bodies!
Check out these other growth mindset resources.
Sesame Street does Growth Mindset {here}.
Let's get growing!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
The Un-Prescription For Autism: A Review
Today I'm excited because I finished this book while it is still
I've always had a heart for children with Autism and this comprehensive newcomer, written by Dr. Janet Lintala, the mom of a child with autism, kept me engaged through each and every page in each and every chapter. As far as I could tell, there isn't a pebble that Dr. Lintala left unturned as she walks her readers through everything imaginable to, first and foremost, help ease the physical pains from which children on the spectrum suffer. Dr. Lintala's masterpiece spells out how behavioral and academic issues become easier to navigate once a child's physical issues and concerns are under control.
The book's format is super reader-friendly to get through and use. Dr. Lintala generously shares what has and hasn't worked for her child while she gives suggestions and options for managing the daily ins and outs of helping children with an autism diagnosis. I especially love the "Why I ask?" boxes in Chapter one.
Getting to the why always matters.
There are so many things that I appreciated about this text, but one of the things that stands out is how honest and authentic, at times even blunt, this mom/author/doctor/advocate is. So be warned; you will be reading about BMs and urine and GI function. But the end more than justifies the means as you make your way through this thorough "Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child." Oh, and there's even a chapter for adults on the spectrum.
Here are some related links that might interest you:
If you or a loved one is living with autism, check out this book!
From the Publisher:
The Un-Prescription for Autism
A Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child
A Natural Approach for a Calmer, Happier, and More Focused Child
By Janet Lintala with Martha W. Murphy
Published by AMACOM
Paperback: 304 pages
April 1, 2016
Description
Each year, more than 50,000 U.S. families receive an autism diagnosis. On top of turmoil and worry, they share the same urgent question: What can we do to help our child?
The answers parents find can be contradictory . . . even dangerous. The conventional approach (employed by too many pediatricians) is to medicate difficult behaviors into submission -- suppressing symptoms while leaving underlying health challenges untouched. Surfing the Internet for alternatives just leads to confusion.
Now, Dr. Janet Lintala, founder of the Autism Health center and an autism mom herself, shares the natural protocols used in her practice to dramatically improve the function and well-being of children on the spectrum. Drawing on the latest research developments, as well as personal and clinical experience, she targets the underlying issues (chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gastrointestinal dysfunction, immune dysregulation) associated with the behavior, bowel, and sleep problems so common to autism.
Correcting these overlooked conditions with digestive enzymes, probiotics, antifungals, and other nonpsychiatric treatments brings transformative results: less pain, less aggression, and a child who is more receptive to behavioral and educational interventions.
While the medical profession is slow to change, autistic kids need help immediately. The Un-Prescription for Autism provides clear explanations, detailed protocols, and examples to help parents act quickly to restore their child's health, self-control, and language -- paving the way for reaching their full potential.
Author Bio: Janet Lintala, author of The Un-Prescription for Autism, founded and heads Autism Health!, which serves children and adults in 12 states. Her advice integrates the clinical expertise of a nonprescription autism practice with the firsthand experience only an autism parent can deliver.
Martha W. Murphy is an award-winning health writer.
Martha W. Murphy is an award-winning health writer.
For more information please visit http://janetlintala.com/ and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter
Reviews
". . . [T]he extraordinary outcomes Dr. Lintala has helped hundreds of patients and their families achieve over the past 10 years is why I am delighted to see her accessible and affordable health support strategies gathered into a book. . . . By reading this book, you can benefit from the lessons learned the hard way by a dedicated autism mom and savvy clinician. . . . Above all, what you'll find here are valuable clinical insights packaged into doable action plans to help your child."
". . . [T]he extraordinary outcomes Dr. Lintala has helped hundreds of patients and their families achieve over the past 10 years is why I am delighted to see her accessible and affordable health support strategies gathered into a book. . . . By reading this book, you can benefit from the lessons learned the hard way by a dedicated autism mom and savvy clinician. . . . Above all, what you'll find here are valuable clinical insights packaged into doable action plans to help your child."
-- From the foreword by Elizabeth Mumper, MD, FAAP; President & CEO, Rimland Center for Integrative Medicine; Former Medical Director, Autism Research Institute
"Amidst a sea of confusing opinions, techniques and advice, this book provides a rare combination of science-based research and practical strategies for parents and professionals. . . . [Dr. Janet] possesses a deep understanding of autism that enables her to cut through the misconceptions and deliver common sense, effective strategies for moving these children toward optimal cognitive, behavioral and physical health. . . . I have witnessed transformations in children with autism that professionals and parents alike thought impossible. Following the clear, concise approaches outlined in this book gives children the best shot at obtaining their maximum potential."
-- Maureen H. McDonnell, BS, RN, Health Editor, WNC Woman Magazine; Former Medical Coordinator, The Imus Ranch for Kids with Cancer; President, Health Education Services, Wellness Workshops, Inc.; Cofounder, Saving Our Kids, Healing Our Planet
Friday, April 22, 2016
PPBF: What Does It Mean To Be Green
Today I'm happy, because we're celebrating my Dad's 79th birthday.
On Earth Day.
So fitting for a farmer, who made his living off the land, right?
Title: What Does It Mean To Be Green?
Author: Rana DiOrio
Illustrator: Chris Blair
Publisher: Little Pickle Press
Date: March 15, 2010
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes: recycling, conservation, citizenship
Brief synopsis: This treasure trove offers lots of ideas that we
{young and old alike!} can all use to go green and save our planet.
Opening page: What does it mean to be green?
Resources: Sign up to download lesson plans for the book {here}.
Share this beautiful tribute song to the earth.
Encourage students to upcycle something, like this, brought to me by a fifth grader. It's an empty tissue box that he filled with handwritten, heartfelt cheer-up notes, perfect, he said, for a counselor like me. And he was spot on!
Watch the book trailer on You Tube:
Let your students host a recycling campaign.
Our Student Council is collecting clean grocery bags this week.
Don't you love their handiwork that's hanging all over our school?
Or make a Go Green wall of fame, like this one spotted by the character cam in the second-grade hallway at the school next door.
Why I like this book: Its silly start and simple conservation suggestions hooked us; its adorable illustrations reeled us in.
Looking for green things like the frogs subtly placed on the pages sealed the deal. Actually, it took an observant kindergartener to point that last part out ...
and oh, what fun we had going back through the pages once we realized that there were little green frogs hidden on most every page!
But first, a song.
If You're Green And You Know It
by Barbara Gruener
Sing to the tune of If you're happy and you know it.
If you're green and you know it, plant a tree. {clap clap}
If you're green and you know it, plant a tree. {clap clap}
If you're green and you know it,
then the world will surely show it;
if you're green and you know it, plant a tree. {clap clap}
After singing the first verse, let the students write the next verses by suggesting phrases to replace the lyrics plant a tree.
We sang about four verses, then we read the book aloud before singing a few more verses, all sparked by the new ideas we gleaned from the book. Check it out and enjoy going green!
We sang about four verses, then we read the book aloud before singing a few more verses, all sparked by the new ideas we gleaned from the book. Check it out and enjoy going green!
For other PPBF picks today, hop to Susanna's blog next.
While you're there, wish HER a blessed day as well.
{A little birdie told me it's her dad's special day, too!}
While you're there, wish HER a blessed day as well.
{A little birdie told me it's her dad's special day, too!}
Monday, April 18, 2016
Finding Balance
Let's start the week off with an inquiry:
How are you at putting perfectionism in its place
and helping the children in your care find balance?
I was recently tasked with addressing that concern;
click the graphic below to read my guest post at Free Spirit
and add five concrete suggestions for this issue to your toolbox.
Need even more help with balance or with some other situation?
Why not start with the school counselor. He or she stands ready to listen and assist students of all ages and stages through their troubles, difficulties, and conflict as they learn to become independent thinkers and problem solvers themselves.
Oh, and now there's a book to better explain our role. Check out Mrs. Joyce Gives The Best High-Fives by author (and Texas school counselor) Erainna Winnett. It's about a school counselor and some of the strategies she uses to connect with kids. But make no mistake; Mrs. Joyce does a LOT more than just giving the best high fives. In fact, she's a superhero of the caring kind, ready to come to the rescue and provide a safe place and a sounding board for students in distress.
Raymond, who's new to Emerson Elementary, doesn't know Mrs. Joyce yet, so he's not sure what to make of her, until he gets a invitation to go to her office and finds out all about this friendly favorite, that is.
Mrs. Joyce explains her role as the counselor
so gently and eloquently. Check out the book's trailer:
I was especially delighted to find Savvy School Counselor's suggestion in the back of the book that a school counselor (or teacher!) use a Circle Map to introduce yourself and your role to the students at the start of school.
I could also see reading Mrs. Joyce's story as we close out the school year and reflect on all of the time we spent together and all of the leadership skills we sharpened through counseling classes.
High Fives to Erainna {and her illustrator}
for this colorful addition to my counseling collection.
Friday, April 1, 2016
PPBF: Bartholomew Quill
Happy April Fools' Day.
And Perfect Picture Book Friday {PPBF}.
Title: Bartholomew Quill: A Crow's Quest To Know Who's Who
Author: Thor Hanson
Illustrator: Dana Arnim
Publisher: Little Bigfoot
Date: April 5, 2016
Suitable for ages: 4-8
Themes: knowing yourself, belonging
Brief Synopsis: Join Bartholomew as he takes flight to find out where he belongs.
Opening page:
Bartholomew Quill was a crow long ago,
when all of the world was anew.
Resources:
Visit Sasquatch Books {here}.
Why I like this book: This sweet story is the perfect pick for Poetry Month; its wonderful illustrations beautifully complement the rhyming text. Because the author is also a biologist, this tale includes interesting facts about the birds and animals, bugs and slugs that Bartholomew meets as he tries to find birds of his feather. The last page offers activity ideas and a link to the teacher's guide.
In addition to the publisher's suggestions, here are four ways that I can see infusing this book into an elementary-school classroom:
1. Have students compare and contrast the call of crows with ravens. How is their call similar? How is it different? Challenge them to close their eyes and try to identify them. What other bird calls do your students know? It might be fun to host a bird-calling contest!
2. Encourage your students to process aloud or in writing how, if at all, the adage "Birds of a feather flock together." might connect to Bartholomew's quest to find his kind.
3. Read Is Your Mama A Llama? by Deborah Guarino and Are You My Mother? by PD Eastman aloud; have your students compare and contrast the one they think is most similar using a double-bubble map.
4. Finally, use this treasure to encourage your students to do some self-awareness exploration. How are they like their families? Their friends? How are they different? What do they like most about themselves? Then extend it beyond human borders to have a little fun: If they could be a bird or an animal, which one would they choose to be? Why?
Check out this newbie; I think it'll leave you cawing for more.
no foolin'!
Friday, March 18, 2016
My Name Is Blessing
Today is bittersweet, because it's our last official day of Spring Break 2016. What a glorious week of restoration and rejuvenation it has been. The sun shining through my window is calling me outside for some more Vitamin D, so today's post will be short and sweet. It's a bittersweet story about kindness and hope, one which was shared with me by my friend Jen Hammerle.
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| Click the book cover to go to the author's website |
Based on the true account of a Kenyan child with a physical disability, this tale finds a young Muthini living with a kind grandmother Mumo, who is struggling to make ends meet for him and his eight cousins. Check out this beautiful book's trailer:
Mumo, whose name means Grace, is forced with a difficult decision to journey to a Orphanage where Muthini might have a chance at a better life, but will they even allow a child whose name means Suffering to stay?
On my first reading, I wasn't sure I liked that the Orphanage was going to change the little boy's name, and I'm not sure my students will either. Use this as a springboard for a discussion about the importance of a name. What might, could, would be the difference in life for a child whose name means Suffering vs. one whose name means Blessing? Should the Orphanage take Muthini as he is or is there a benefit in changing his name? What does this have to do with mindset?
Create an empathy experience: After reading the book aloud, ask for a volunteer and tape that student's fingers down to recreate what it was like for Muthini Baraka to only have the use of two fingers on his one hand and none on his other. What skills might they still do handily? What things will be difficult to do without assistance? What is the experience of missing fingers like? How does it feel? What do you want or need to adapt and thrive?
Blessings are everywhere. As a follow-up activity, encourage students to make a list of their blessings. Can they get to 50? 100? 500?
For more engaging activity suggestions from the publisher, click {here}. For more information about the author's work at Creation of Hope, click {here}.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Wise At Heart
Today I'm delighted because I spent most of it outside, enjoying the incredible weather and doing some work pulling weeds from the flowerbeds and yard. As I reflected on all of the happenings of last week, my heart and mind kept coming back to this gem that showed up on my desk, from my friend Zoe.
Some days are like that, aren't they?
You're struggling with something that seems insurmountable and then
someone says or does just the right thing to help turn things around.
Sometimes it's a drawing or a note of affirmation.
Sometimes it's a phone call or a text.
Sometimes it's a book, like this one, from my friend Annie.
It's a beautiful collection of inspirational pictures and words
about hope and kindness, about life and love.
Take a look inside, at one of my favorite pages.
It's chunk full of important reminders for and from
young and old alike,
about how we all matter
and how we can all make a difference.
Sometimes I get worn out and need to remember.
And then ... it's spring break.
And we're given a precious gift ~ time ~
just like the perfectly-timed picture that Zoe drew for me
and the book that Annie hand-picked for me.
If you're on break, how will you use your time this week?
Here's to some springtime relaxation, restoration, and rejuvenation.
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