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 Goal Setting meets Commitment

      Goal setting

Now that you know how to set goals, what's next?
A goal isn't reachable unless there is commitment connected to it. By connecting commitment with your goal, you will list what needs to be done and start moving toward it. You can do this!  How bad do you want it?

It's still very important to continue setting goals. Let's review how to create SMART goals that will lead us to great accomplishments!   

Take a look a this Brainpop video and activity that follows. 

https://www.brainpop.com/english/studyandreadingskills/settinggoals/

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Think about some ot the things that kept you from achieving your goals in the past. Now think about one thing that will or can keep you on track with moving toward your goal and list it below. 

Check out a SMART GOAL guide video below. Don't forget to submit a goal you would like to work on soon. 

  Dealing with grief........It's ok not to feel ok!

If you would like to speak to me individually regarding this lesson or anything else, please don't hesitate to email me @ Mary.Knight@CobbK12.org 

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Dealing with the loss of a loved one is always a very personal journey. There is no standard allotted time or specific way to mourn a death. The grieving process may seem confusing and uncontrollable at times. So whatever your journey looks like just know you aren't traveling alone. We (family, friends and trusted adults) are all here to help.  Let's look at the grieving process more closely to get a clear picture of what it may look like.

 Let's continue to soar with GRIT!

PERSEVERANCE and PASSION are what create your GRIT. What is Perseverance?  Perseverance is asking for help when you need it, not giving up when things go wrong, finishing what you start and giving 100% of your effort. 

Can you remember a time that you wish you practiced more GRIT to accomplish something that was in your reach? 

People who perserve also experience failure, but push through to achieve their goals despite the setbacks. 

Directions for taking the Grit Scale: Please respond to the following 12 items. Be honest – there are no right or wrong answers!
1. I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge.

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

2. New ideas and projects sometimes distract me from previous ones.*

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

3. My interests change from year to year.*

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

4. Setbacks don’t discourage me.

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

5. I have been obsessed with a certain idea or project for a short time but later lost interest.*

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

6. I am a hard worker.

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

7. I often set a goal but later choose to pursue a different one.*

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

8. I have difficulty maintaining my focus on projects that take more than a few months to complete.*

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

9. I finish whatever I begin.

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

10. I have achieved a goal that took years of work.

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

11. I become interested in new pursuits every few months.*

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

12. I am diligent.

• Very much like me
• Mostly like me
• Somewhat like me
• Not much like me
• Not like me at all

Scoring:
For questions 1, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 12 assign the following points:
5 = Very much like me
4 = Mostly like me
3 = Somewhat like me
2 = Not much like me
1 = Not like me at all

 For questions 2, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 11 assign the following points:
1 = Very much like me
2 = Mostly like me
3 = Somewhat like me
4 = Not much like me
5 = Not like me at all

Add up all the points and divide by 12. The maximum score on this scale is 5 (extremely gritty), and the lowest scale on this scale is 1 (not at all gritty).

Duckworth, A.L., Peterson, C., Matthews, M.D., & Kelly, D.R. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 9, 1087-1101.

 Welcome back rising 9th graders!
This week is all about GRIT !   

As we began to reconnect and refocus on the academic journey, it is important to remember how important GRIT is for your success.  

What is GRIT?
GRIT is the very thing that separates people who experience success from those who do not. Grit is the ability to use passion and perseverance to achieve goals. 

Why is it so important now?
In the time when we are experiencing uncontrollable change, GRIT allows us to move forward and accomplish what is essential to us.

How will Grit help in preparation for high school? 
All ninth graders will be expected to display mastery of the 8th grade standards. The expectation is due to the belief that your new knowledge will build on your prior knowledge. By pushing forward academically you are staying on course regarding your educational journey.

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Visual Challenge: Create a small collage that contains words that are motivational to you. Your collage should be titled My GRIT!  Submit a picture to me via email Mary.Knight@Cobbk12.org

                 ​Create your own spring break!

Although you and your family aren't able to travel much during this spring break, there are always ways to enjoy your time off at home. Challenge yourself to take this opportunity to create fun and exciting days throughout the week. Maybe you can have a theme each day, a place that you recreate throughout your home or a daily goal you have to achieve. Whatever you decide, make it you. Enjoy your time the best way you know how. Here are 20 great Spring Break activity suggestions below:

1. Scavenger hunts. An oldie but a really goodie. For the younger crowd, have kids collect items based on colours (such as three red items, three blue items, etc.), and for older kids, items can be collected based on letters of the alphabet.
2. Collages. Go through photo collections, print out favourites, and make a creative collage for a fun and thoughtful gift for a special friend or family member.
3. Unlimited painter’s tape games. One roll of painter’s tape equals countless activities. Create a long jump “pit” with several spaced-out lines of tape and see how far kids can jump. Perhaps they get further each time they try! Fashion your very own indoor hopscotch court and used rolled up socks or beanbags as markers. Design a race track for toy cars, trucks, and trains.
4. Fashion show. Unleash your child’s inner diva with a raid of home closets and the dress-up box. Suggest categories for outfits such as stylish or silly. Don’t forget the runway, the music, and the flash of the paparazzi taking pictures.
5. Balloon tennis. Using hands, tennis rackets, back scratchers, pool noodles, or other devices, make your own Wimbledon court. (Strawberries and cream and finger sandwiches are strongly encouraged.)
6. Slime! This squishy, oozy fad is not going away anytime soon. And why would we want it to? Make your own slime using myriad internet-provided instructions. Create slime in different colours and themes.
7. Living room picnic. Spread out your favourite blanket and include the kids in the preparation of their favourite lunch items. Who knows? Maybe after the break, they will make their own lunches! (A parent can dream.)
8. Paper airplanes. There are so many ways to craft a super-sleek aircraft. Ramp up the fun by designing a landing strip. Can you fly your plane into a large pot, a large circle cut out of paper on the floor, or through a hula hoop?
9. House of cards. Skip the Netflix version, grab a pack of playing cards, and see how high your kids can build a tower.
10. Rock painting. With warm, sunny days ahead, prepare to beautify your outdoor space with colourful, painted rocks. Decorate rocks with multiple colours, pictures, dates, and kids’ names.
11. Forts. Go old-school with pillows and blankets, or create a full-day activity by picking up a large appliance cardboard box. Cut out a door, a window or two, and provide craft materials including paint, markers, glue, feathers, ribbons, and stickers for kids to make their very own stylish tiny house. Don’t forget to stock the fort with cushions, flashlights, books, and snacks.
12. Domino run. Pick up a few boxes of dominoes at your local dollar or toy store and set up a domino run. Start small with a straight line of dominoes and increase the challenge with varying shapes of runs.
13. Freeze dance. Think of this as a super way to burn off excess energy as well as an always-fun game. Crank up your kids’ favourite songs and when the DJ (designated kid or parent) stops the music, players must freeze in their spot.
14. Puppet show. With a few craft supplies and a whole lot of creativity, have your kids make their own puppets, write a script, and perform a show. Think Sound of Music without the goats.
15. Twister. Using the official board or your own home-designed version, there is never a dry eye (as in happy, laughing tears) when getting tied up in knots with your friends and family.
16. Obstacle course. When designing an obstacle course indoors or outside, it’s all about movement. Crawl under an object, jump over an object, run around an object, slide between objects, and laugh!
17. Board games. Think the old favourites: Hungry Hippos, Clue, Sorry, Monopoly, Candyland, Snakes and Ladders, and Yahtzee.
18. Indoor basketball. The methods of playing indoor basketball are practically limitless. Have kids toss balled-up socks into laundry hampers, ping pong balls into cups, stuffed animals into hula hoops, etc. etc.
19. Bake. Channel your inner Martha Stewart and bake cookies from scratch. Or channel your inner Betty Crocker and get a pre-made mix. No one is judging!
20. Juggle. It takes a lot of skill and coordination to become a master juggler but with a lot of practice with one, two, and eventually, three items found around the house, juggling can become a party favourite. (Just be sure to lock the knives away while looking for potential juggling props!)

                                                            The Reflection in Me
The Reflection in Me reminds us of how important it is to cultivate healthy self-esteem. Healthy self-esteem is when you are able to identify your growth areas, but consistently celebrate your greatness. These moments drive us to fearlessly try new things, face challenges and conquer obstacles that life brings us.
You have greatness, uniqueness and purpose.
Take a look at the short clip below, where a young boy participates in self-celebration inside and out.

Ask yourself:

1.   What are some outside attributes my reflection would celebrate about me?
2.   What are some inside attributes my reflection would celebrate about me?
3.   Do I focus heavily on my flaws or greatness?
4.   Have I consistently worked on a healthy self-esteem? 

                                                 How is your self-Esteem?

What exactly is Self-Esteem?
 
Self-esteem is the way a person thinks about him/herself and how worthwhile he/she feels. If a person truly feels valuable and worthy, that individual usually has a healthy self-esteem. A person with low self-esteem usually feels incompetent, unloved and useless.

Take the self-esteem quiz below to assess yourself. 

https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fkidshealth.org%2Fen%2Fteens%2Fself-esteem-quiz.html%23.XoQZtBcLA0s.email&data=02%7C01%7Ctamara.hines%40cobbk12.org%7C3f59b38e302d4031bc4f08d7d5f5e4e7%7C2fce1dfb919f4938aab8c47f0fc9182d%7C0%7C0%7C637213124407735446&sdata=tWEaoVT6GeKynImNE7lI6TkDBZM%2F7PPa7J7gq2meI3Q%3D&reserved=0

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    Who are you on Social Media?

Do some self-reflection and answer questions to see if your connection with social media a healthy one.

March 30th & March 31st
Happy 3rd week!  Thanks for checking the counseling blog and staying connected. I am planning to have some student check-ins this week (Tuesday and Thursday).
Please email me if you would like to participate:)    Tamara.Hines@cobbk12.org

For the next two days, I want us to focus on self-control in the digital world. We can't control other people's actions, but we can control our responses. The digital world is something we need to use responsibly. It is up to us to make our digital community safe for everyone. 
 
I have launched a Nearpod lesson for you to take at your own pace! You can enter the code HYVPT in the join session field or simply click below to get started.
 
 <http://news.nearpod.com/2017August/imgs/bg-lesson-left.png>           <https://nearpod.s3.amazonaws.com/neareducation/new/Slide/412601216/iconlist.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIA5LQSO4AXIHKV2NEC&Expires=2147483647&Signature=6AsbpM%2BC7VfCvILAkV%2BPMxPWxOY%3D&1578507957>        
 <http://news.nearpod.com/2017August/imgs/bg-lesson-right.png>       
Start Lesson <https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fshare.nearpod.com%2Fvsph%2Fn0BIaV3lMu&data=02%7C01%7Ctamara.hines%40cobbk12.org%7Ce839fdc70d0245602a8008d7d45c05a6%7C2fce1dfb919f4938aab8c47f0fc9182d%7C0%7C0%7C637211364019676894&sdata=Gnfz4ZqJ63gXzw25cXorK4pIR006%2BCuaMJgibIyga0k%3D&reserved=0>
             
If you are using a mobile device, you need the Nearpod App. Download it for free here <https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmandrillapp.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%2F30011823%2Fnearpod.com%3Fp%3DeyJzIjoiVmRITVRGbHhpT1cxUTdISVhPcXhrNzd2WjM0IiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDAxMTgyMyxcInZcIjoxLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwOlxcXC9cXFwvbmVhcnBvZC5jb21cXFwvaW5zdGFsbFwiLFwiaWRcIjpcImM0OGUzMGNlODQ2YTQ1YTI4M2M2OWEyZWMxMDRlMjk2XCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiNTZlNGYyOTdkZTNlZWY4NjA2NDMzYTA4MTliNzM0MDFkZTYxNTRjNVwiXX0ifQ&data=02%7C01%7Ctamara.hines%40cobbk12.org%7Ce839fdc70d0245602a8008d7d45c05a6%7C2fce1dfb919f4938aab8c47f0fc9182d%7C0%7C0%7C637211364019676894&sdata=AS8L6fZYeqQa3QBCSWyQlYEigZxWR5JASjqF2vyrPjA%3D&reserved=0

   Last Day of SOS Week.....Let's focus on Healthy Activities

Participating in healthy activities are always important. The last few weeks our healthy activities have been our saving grace. Get connected! Get active in any healthy activity that you enjoy that makes you feeel great. It makes a difference in your day. 

Check out the SOS Bingo game below. It is filled with great healthy short activities that you and your family can participate in while at home.

There are so many other healthy activites you can do without screens. Click on the link below to find what there are!

https://yourteenmag.com/family-life/communication/100-things-teenagers-can-do-without-screens

 LETS TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH                        IT'S SOURCES OF STRENGTH WEEK!!!!! 

​Mental health may not always be the easiest topic to discuss, however it is very necessary. As you grow older you will begin to experience a variety of emotions. Some of these emotions are warm and fuzzy and make you feel good, and some may not be. It is important that you become aware of your body's signals to what you are feeling. Learning various coping methods can be helpful when dealing with the various thoughts and emotions that occur in your life!

CHALLENGE! ​

For the next week challenge yourself to participate in one positive mental health activity everyday. Write down what you are doing each day and e-mail it to Ms. Brooks or Mrs. Hines. You may get special surprise!

take a look at the chart below

LETS WORK TOGETHER 
TO BREAK THE NEGATIVE 
STIGMA ABOUT
MENTAL HEALTH
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​  What about your Friends? Just the positive ones!             IT'S SOURCES OF STRENGTH WEEK!!!!! 

​
​Friendship is a very important part of our teen and adults years. Our friends have seen us in our very high and very low moments. Who else do we call when we feel like no one understands?!  
They have been there to celebrate with us, morn with us, advise us and love us unconditionally. Your positive friends are your supporters who are willing to tell you when you are out of line or get you help when you need it. No matter what, your physical and mental health are always important to them. So, what about YOUR friends?
Throwback Thursday (Check out TLC's clip on the right)
*Challenge: Make it a TIKTOK moment and send it to Ms. Brooks @ greonna.brooks@cobbk12.org
or 
Mrs. Hines   @ tamara.hines@cobbk12.org

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​
​Look at these quotes below. Which do you most connect with? Share in the space provided.

“Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.”
– Ed Cunningham
 
“Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”
– Albert Camus
 
Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.
-Misty Copeland
 
There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family.
-Unknown

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.
 -Arnold H. Glasgow

 TODAY IS ALL ABOUT MENTORS!!!                                         IT'S SOURCES OF STRENGTH WEEK!!!!! 

What is a mentor? 
A mentor is a person or friend who guides a less experienced person by building trust and modeling positive behaviors. An effective mentor understands that his or her role is to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of the mentee. 

Think about these questions!!

1. Who is a trusted adult that makes you feel safe to be yourself? 
2. Name an adult you feel is "in your corner". How do they show you that they are for you? ​​
3. Which adult do you most commonly ask for help, whether with school, a social issue, etc? 
4. Tell about how your trusted adult worked to gain your trust. 
5. One adult you would like to connect more to is __________________, because___________________. ​

here is a fun activity you can do with your mentor or trusted adult

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​3/23   WE ARE SO EXCITED!          IT'S FINALLY HERE!                     IT'S SOURCES OF STRENGHTH WEEK!!!!! (3/23-3/27)

Sources of Strength is a best practice youth suicide prevention project designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent suicide by increasing help seeking behaviors and promoting connections between peers and caring adults. Sources of Strength moves beyond a singular focus on risk factors by utilizing an upstream approach for youth suicide prevention. This upstream model strengthens multiple sources of support (protective factors) around young individuals so that when times get hard they have strengths to rely on.  #NOMUSTANGISALONE

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Self-reflect by using the questions below and viewing the video on the right.

Every day of this week we will highlight a SOURCE OF STRENGTH. Today we will highlight the beauty of FAMILY SUPPORT. Family support includes our biolgogical family members and those that we consider family. This type of support is priceless and uncondtional. These are our life connectors that know us the most and genuinely want the very best for us. In celebration of their support, consider doing the following:

• Make a Family Tree and write down the positive qualities or things you appreciate about each of the members of the tree that you named. Share with your family (via text for those long distance).
• Create a paper chain. On each link, write the name of someone in your family (the one you were born into, or the one that you chose) that you feel supported by.  Display it in your room or a space at home. Share with your family (via text for those long distance).
• Use the hashtag #SOURCESOFSTRENGTH and post pics of your fam on instagram or other social media outlets. 
• Host an awkward family photo competition where your family members find a funny picture that you are included in and then you post that photo to your social media (#sourcesofstrength) with a comment. 

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3/20/2020    Day 3   Prioritize   (One of the most important skills to practice)

It can be difficult, but it is essential to place important things at the top of your list on a daily basis. This is important inside and outside of the classroom. 
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Why is a mental order of things important on a daily basis?
2. What are the top five things on my list?
3. Is there anything that needs to move up or down on my priortiy list?
​

View the video below for a deeper understanding of priorities through the Jar of Life illustration. After viewing, make a list of your own Rocks, gravel and sand. Share your list with family and friends. 
 

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3/19/2020    Day 2   Time Management is crucial to reach Academic Success

A well balanced student must manage his/her time for family, school work, friends, sports and other interests. It takes practice and planning to become well balanced.
Check out the videos below for great tips and strategies to move toward effective time management.

​https://gradepowerlearning.com/10-time-management-tips-students/

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Day 1     How organized are you?

    Keep WOrking on your academic Success!

Answer true or false to each statement below. If you have answered true for more than 2 statements, organization may be a struggle in your academic success.
1. You usually can't find what you are looking for when you really need it.
2.  You have a hard time locating complete notes to study from for upcoming tests.
3.   Your assignments are usually crumbled and/or folded in between binder sections.
4.    You rarely have time to find a system that works, so you stuff papers in your bookbag and locker.

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​Social Media can enhance Anxiousness

It's not new that the comparison of your life and someone else's may cause anxiety. The feeling of "never feeling good enough" or "almost as good as" strips us from what makes us unique and extraordinary. Have you felt anxious after looking at the "perfect lives" online? If so, you aren't alone. Please take a minute to read a great article on Newsela dealing with anxiety in teens like you(click the article's link on the right). After reading the article, leave your thoughts below. I would love to hear from you! Don't forget to watch the cool video below to try several tips to make sure that social media remains a healthy part of your life. 

Teens are more anxious than ever: Is social media to blame? - https://newsela.com/read/teens-perfect-life-anxietyutm_source=email&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=web

     KIndness week 

What a great week! Our students and staff were awesome to each other!

​Kindness week is designed to remind all of us that it is important to be kind and considerate of others. It is essential that we support each other in any way that we can. A random act of kindness can brighten a day, save a life and change a world. Kindness is not just for friends and family who we love. Make it a daily goal to shine some light in another person's world. We encourage you to extend kindess week to a lifetime. Kindness is free, natural and priceless!

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Take what you need Tuesday

A wall display of positive affirmations, encouraging words and inspirations will be written on post-it notes for students to take

Caught you being kind!​

Students were identified as being kind throughout the day by "caught you staff" and rewarded by the counseling department.

KInd Clouds

Each grade level will have a Kindness Cloud posted in the commons area. The cloud will read “Kindness is_____”. The students will be allowed to add as many words to the cloud to fill in the blank. Students are expected to quickly add a word during class transition or lunch time.
Examples: Kindness is love.
                   Kindness is necessary.
                   Kindness is humane. 
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Locker surprises

Sources of Strength students surprised students with locker decor and a pleasant message each morning. 

ChEck out examples of  great kindness doors below

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